In a historic move, Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) starting January 27, 2025. The landmark legislation, aimed at standardizing personal laws across religions, addresses issues like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships.
UCC: A Progressive Step Toward Equality
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami lauded the UCC as a significant milestone in India’s legal and social history. “The UCC’s implementation represents a significant milestone, making the Himalayan state the first in the country to adopt this progressive legislation since independence,” he stated.
The law ensures equality by setting a unified framework for personal laws across all communities. It bans practices like polygamy and ‘halala,’ establishes equal divorce rights for men and women, and mandates marriage registration across all religions.
LIVE: देहरादून में UCC समरसता और समानता के नवयुग का शुभारम्भ कार्यक्रम। #UCCInUttarakhand https://t.co/lg1Is8DWvp
— BJP Uttarakhand (@BJP4UK) January 27, 2025
Key Features of UCC in Uttarakhand
Equal Marriage Age: The legal age for marriage is now standardized at 21 for men and 18 for women.
Marriage Registration: Religious or legal marriage rituals can continue, but registration within 60 days is mandatory.
Prohibition of Polygamy and Halala: The UCC bans polygamy and the controversial Islamic practice of halala.
Live-In Relationships: Registration of live-in relationships is mandatory, offering legal recognition.
Simplified Divorce: The grounds for divorce are uniform for men and women, ensuring equality in matrimonial disputes.
Implementation Timeline and Online Portal
The UCC legislation was introduced during the 2022 assembly elections when CM Dhami promised its implementation if re-elected. A five-member committee, led by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, drafted the 740-page UCC, incorporating feedback from over 2.3 lakh citizens.
The bill passed in the Uttarakhand Assembly in February 2024 and received presidential assent on March 11. Today, the UCC is set to be officially rolled out, with an online portal launching at 12:30 pm to simplify the registration process for marriages, divorces, and succession rights. Citizens can complete the process from home and track applications via email or SMS.
Who Will Come Under UCC?
The UCC applies to all residents of Uttarakhand, including those living outside the state. However, Scheduled Tribes and certain protected communities are exempt.
Revolutionizing Marriage and Divorce Laws
Marriage: Couples married before March 26, 2010, or outside Uttarakhand, can register their unions within 180 days. Soldiers, air force personnel, and mariners can create privileged wills under flexible rules.
Divorce: The law establishes equal grounds for divorce for both husbands and wives, fostering gender equality in matrimonial rights.
A New Era for India’s Legal System
The implementation of the UCC in Uttarakhand is being seen as a step toward creating a harmonious society. During a statement on Sunday, CM Dhami remarked, “UCC is just an offering made by our state in the great ‘yagya’ being performed by the Prime Minister to make the country a developed, organized, harmonious, and self-reliant nation.”
The introduction of UCC in Uttarakhand may serve as a template for other states, sparking national debates on personal law reforms. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dehradun coinciding with the rollout, the implementation reflects the central government’s commitment to progressive legislation.
