• The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a proposal in India to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which apply on all citizens equally regardless of their religion, gender and sexual orientation. Currently, personal laws of various communities are governed by their religious scriptures.
• Implementation of a uniform civil code across the nation is one of the contentious promises pursued by India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
• Personal laws are distinguished from public law and cover marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and maintenance.
• The idea of a UCC was first mooted by the framers of the Indian Constitution in 1947. However, it was not included in the Fundamental Rights, but in the Directive Principles of State Policy, which are non-binding.
• This is because the framers of the Constitution were aware of the sensitivities around the issue and did not want to force a uniform code on the people.

In India, several acts and laws govern the guardianship and custody of children. These laws are in place to protect the rights and welfare of children in various situations. Here are some of the key acts and laws related to guardianship and custody of children in India:

1. The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956:

   • This act applies to Hindus and governs matters related to the guardianship of minor children.
   • It outlines who can be a natural guardian of a Hindu minor and specifies the order of preference among natural guardians.
   • The act also deals with the powers and responsibilities of guardians, including those appointed by the court.

2. The Guardians and Wards Act, 1890:

   • This is a secular law applicable to all citizens in India, irrespective of their religion.
   • The act provides the legal procedure for appointing guardians for minors and their property.
   • It allows the court to appoint guardians for minors in cases where the parents are unable to fulfill their responsibilities or when disputes arise.

3. The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937:

   • This act applies to Muslims in India and deals with matters of personal law, including guardianship and custody.
   • Under Muslim law, the father is usually the natural guardian of a minor child, but the welfare of the child is considered paramount when making custody decisions.

4. The Christian Guardianship Act, 1850:

   • This act applies to Christians in India and deals with the appointment of guardians for minor children and their property.

5. The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936:

   • This act applies to Parsis in India and governs matters related to marriage, divorce, guardianship, and custody among Parsi families.

6. The Special Marriage Act, 1954:

   • This act applies to marriages between individuals of different religions or those who do not wish to follow their personal laws.
   • It contains provisions related to the custody and guardianship of children born to couples married under this act.

7. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015:

   • This act primarily focuses on the care and protection of children in conflict with the law or in need of care and protection.
   • It includes provisions for the appointment of guardians or foster parents for children in need of care and protection.

8. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012:

   • While primarily concerned with addressing sexual offenses against children, this act also recognizes the importance of the welfare and protection of the child victim. It includes provisions for support and protection.