📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Nadar / Adam Cuerden
Politics
Shah pledges Uniform Civil Code rollout in all 21 NDA states by 2029
✍️ Bhaskar English
🗓 14 Sep 2026, 05:02 AM
👁 4
Shah announced that the Uniform Civil Code will be introduced in all 21 states governed by the NDA coalition before 2029, with Uttarakhand currently the only state where it is in force and Madhya Pradesh slated next.
Union minister Shah reiterated the government's commitment to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across every state that is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) by the year 2029. He highlighted that Uttarakhand remains the sole state where the UCC has already been enacted, marking it as a pilot for the broader rollout.
The minister indicated that Madhya Pradesh is the next state in line to adopt the code, signalling a phased approach that will extend to the remaining NDA-ruled states over the next few years. No specific timeline beyond the 2029 target was provided for individual states.
Shah's statement comes amid ongoing national debates over the legal harmonisation of personal laws, with the UCC being a long‑standing agenda item for the current administration. While supporters view the move as a step toward gender equality and national integration, critics have warned of potential resistance from communities that prefer existing religious personal laws.
The announcement underscores the government's intent to translate its policy promise into legislative action before the next general election cycle, aiming to consolidate support among its coalition partners and the broader electorate.
The minister indicated that Madhya Pradesh is the next state in line to adopt the code, signalling a phased approach that will extend to the remaining NDA-ruled states over the next few years. No specific timeline beyond the 2029 target was provided for individual states.
Shah's statement comes amid ongoing national debates over the legal harmonisation of personal laws, with the UCC being a long‑standing agenda item for the current administration. While supporters view the move as a step toward gender equality and national integration, critics have warned of potential resistance from communities that prefer existing religious personal laws.
The announcement underscores the government's intent to translate its policy promise into legislative action before the next general election cycle, aiming to consolidate support among its coalition partners and the broader electorate.