UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — West Bengal government forms committee to review draft UCC

Question 1

Article 44, which relates to the Uniform Civil Code, forms part of the Directive Principles of State Policy. The characterisation of these Principles as 'non-justiciable' most precisely means which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

They are not enforceable by any court, yet are fundamental in the governance of the country and it is the duty of the State to apply them in making laws.

Answer

They can be enforced, but only by the Supreme Court under its writ jurisdiction and not by the High Courts.

Answer

They prevail over Fundamental Rights whenever the two come into direct conflict before a court.

Answer

They are mere moral recommendations that impose no duty whatsoever on the State.

Question 2

With reference to Article 44 of the Constitution and its constitutional placement, consider the following:
1. Article 44 falls within Part IV of the Constitution.
2. Article 44 directs the State to endeavour to secure a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.
3. Under Article 37, the provisions of Part IV are enforceable by the courts.
4. Article 44 is placed among the Fundamental Rights in Part III.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2

Answer

2 and 3

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

3 only

Question 3

With reference to the Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code and its position relative to other states, consider the following statements:
1. Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to implement a UCC, whereas Goa has retained a common civil code dating from its Portuguese-era legal system.
2. The Uttarakhand UCC came into force on 27 January 2025.
3. The Uttarakhand UCC applies uniformly to all residents of the state, including members of Scheduled Tribes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 4

Uttarakhand's 2025 measure is described as making it the 'first state in independent India' to implement a Uniform Civil Code. This qualifier 'in independent India' is used because—

Accepted Answer

Goa already had a common civil code inherited from Portuguese rule that predated its 1961 merger with India, and is therefore excluded from the claim.

Answer

Jammu and Kashmir had enacted a uniform civil code under its earlier separate constitution in 1957.

Answer

the Constituent Assembly had itself enacted a uniform civil code for the whole country at independence.

Answer

Kerala had implemented a uniform civil code for its residents shortly after the states' reorganisation.

Question 5

The high-level committee constituted by the West Bengal government to examine its draft Uniform Civil Code Bill is headed by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai

Answer

Tathagata Roy

Answer

Sanghamitra Ghosh

Answer

Gopalchandra Misra

Question 6

With reference to the West Bengal draft Uniform Civil Code Bill and its committee, consider the following statements:
1. Like the Uttarakhand UCC, the draft Bill is intended to apply to residents irrespective of religion, faith or community.
2. The draft Bill deals with marriage, divorce, intestate succession and testamentary succession.
3. The committee examining the draft Bill is chaired by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 7

As described in the state's notification, the West Bengal draft Uniform Civil Code Bill seeks to govern how many distinct categories of personal civil matters?

Accepted Answer

Four

Answer

Three

Answer

Five

Answer

Six

Question 8

With reference to the scope of a Uniform Civil Code as against religion-specific personal laws, consider the following statements:
1. A Uniform Civil Code would replace religion-specific personal laws on matters such as marriage, divorce and succession with a common set of rules.
2. The Uttarakhand UCC brought live-in relationships within its regulatory scope in addition to marriage, divorce and succession.
3. The Uttarakhand UCC extended a uniform code of adoption to Scheduled Tribes while leaving other communities under their personal laws.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 9

The legislative competence of a State Legislature to enact a law on marriage, divorce and succession is traceable to which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Entry 5 of the Concurrent List (List III) of the Seventh Schedule

Answer

Entry 5 of the State List (List II) of the Seventh Schedule

Answer

Entry 5 of the Union List (List I) of the Seventh Schedule

Answer

The residuary power of Parliament under Article 248

Question 10

With reference to judicial pronouncements touching upon the Uniform Civil Code, consider the following statements:
1. In the Shah Bano case (1985), the Supreme Court granted maintenance under Section 125 CrPC and observed the need for a uniform civil code.
2. In the Sarla Mudgal case (1995), the Supreme Court urged the government to implement a uniform civil code.
3. In the Shah Bano case, the Supreme Court issued a binding direction to Parliament to enact a uniform civil code within a fixed timeframe.
4. Following the Shah Bano judgment, Parliament enacted the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

3 only

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Question 11

Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, who heads the West Bengal committee reviewing the draft UCC, has most recently been appointed as the chairperson of which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Eighth Central Pay Commission

Answer

Twenty-second Law Commission of India

Answer

Sixteenth Finance Commission

Answer

National Human Rights Commission

Question 12

With reference to the recent engagement of Indian states with the Uniform Civil Code, consider the following:
1. Uttarakhand — first state in independent India to bring a UCC into force.
2. Gujarat — constituted, in 2025, a committee headed by Justice Ranjana Desai to examine a UCC.
3. Assam — its Legislative Assembly passed a Uniform Civil Code Bill.
4. West Bengal — has already enacted and brought into force its Uniform Civil Code that came into effect in 2025.
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

2 and 3

Answer

1, 3 and 4

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — West Bengal government forms committee to review draft UCC

Q1. Article 44, which relates to the Uniform Civil Code, forms part of the Directive Principles of State Policy. The characterisation of these Principles as 'non-justiciable' most precisely means which one of the following?

Q4. Uttarakhand's 2025 measure is described as making it the 'first state in independent India' to implement a Uniform Civil Code. This qualifier 'in independent India' is used because—

Q5. The high-level committee constituted by the West Bengal government to examine its draft Uniform Civil Code Bill is headed by which one of the following?

Q7. As described in the state's notification, the West Bengal draft Uniform Civil Code Bill seeks to govern how many distinct categories of personal civil matters?

Q9. The legislative competence of a State Legislature to enact a law on marriage, divorce and succession is traceable to which one of the following?

Q11. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, who heads the West Bengal committee reviewing the draft UCC, has most recently been appointed as the chairperson of which one of the following?