UPSC PracticeUPSC Practice
UPSC Notes

Uniform Civil Code

PYQs

6

Articles

2

Momentum

22

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

A fundamental constitutional ideal, central to debates on secularism, national integration, gender justice, and religious freedom. It is a recurring topic in Indian polity and governance.

Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, enshrined in Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy), mandates that the State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India. It aims to replace diverse personal laws based on religious scriptures and customs with a common set of laws governing matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and maintenance for all citizens, irrespective of their religion.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Constitutional Basis

Article 44 (Directive Principles of State Policy)

Objective

To unify personal laws across all religious communities

Scope

Covers marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, maintenance

Current Status

Goa is the only Indian state with a Uniform Civil Code

Constitutional Mandate

Article 44 of the Constitution mandates the State to secure a UCC.

Core Debate

Debate centers on balancing religious freedom (Article 25) with equality (Article 14) and secularism.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaConstitutional Amendments & Structure
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Law Commission of IndiaAdvises/recommends on legal reforms, including ucc
Parliament of IndiaEnacts laws, including ucc
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Article 44 of DPSP mandates UCC.
  • Aims to replace diverse personal laws (Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Parsi).
  • Arguments for: gender equality, national integration, secularism.
  • Arguments against: infringement on religious freedom, cultural diversity.
  • Goa Civil Code 1867 is the only existing UCC in India.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — UCC is a constitutional directive (DPSP), not a statutory law yet for the entire country.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

EconomyOpen question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Indian PolityOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

EconomyOpen question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Indian PolityOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which reference to the provisions contained in Part IV of the Constitution of India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. They shall be enfo...

Indian PolityOpen question
2016Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the -

Indian PolityOpen question
2015Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following Statements regarding the DPSP/ Directive Principles of State Policy: 1. The Principles spell out the socio-economic democracy in the ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2014Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Constitutional Amendments & StructureIndian Polity & Governance
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the

Open question
Prelims 2015· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following Statements regarding the DPSP/ Directive Principles of State Policy: 1. The Principles spell out the socio-economic democracy in the ...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the -

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which reference to the provisions contained in Part IV of the Constitution of India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. They shall be enfo...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

Open question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

Open question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Open question

Key allies TDP, Shiv Sena back Amit Shah's statement on UCC in all NDA-ruled States

16 Sep 2026 · The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a constitutional directive (Article 44) aiming to establish a common set of personal laws for all citizens, replacing religion-specific codes. It is a contentious issue balancing religious freedom with national unity and gender equality.

Read article

RSS leader Sunil Ambekar flags demographic changes, calls for scrutiny of population policies

01 Oct 2026 · UCC aims for a common set of personal laws for all citizens, as per DPSP Article 44, to promote equality and national integration, replacing religion-specific laws.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Uniform Civil Code

Often confused with

Civil Liberties and State Overreach

Open notesOften confused with

Gender Equality in India

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 6 linked questions on Uniform Civil Code in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Uniform Civil Code

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Which reference to the provisions contained in Part IV of the Constitution of India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. They shall be enfo...

2020·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following Statements regarding the DPSP/ Directive Principles of State Policy: 1. The Principles spell out the socio-economic democracy in the ...

2015·Indian Polity
Solve

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

2025·Economy
Solve

In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the

2014·Indian Polity
Solve

The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the -

2016·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

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