The Uniform Civil Code in India: A Deep Dive into Its Application and Transformative Impact on Adoption Law Across Religious Communities

Abstract

The concept of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India, enshrined in Article 44 of the Constitution, has remained a contentious yet persistent subject in legal and political discourse since independence.¹ Aimed at establishing a common set of laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens, the UCC promises to dismantle the existing mosaic of religious personal laws. This research paper undertakes an in-depth study of the potential application of a UCC in India, with a special analytical focus on the transformative changes it could bring to adoption law across Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Parsi communities. It will explore the historical context, constitutional imperatives, and current legal frameworks governing adoption under various personal laws, juxtaposing them with the proposed uniformity. The paper argues that a UCC, while facing significant implementation challenges, holds the potential to standardize adoption procedures, prioritize child welfare universally, and rectify existing gender and religious disparities, thereby fostering a more equitable and child-centric legal landscape for family formation in India.