Uttarakhand is set to become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on January 27, 2025. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the state has completed all necessary preparations, including the approval of the rules and training of concerned officials, for the smooth implementation of the UCC.
In a message on X, CM Dhami wrote, “Dear residents of the state, The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in the state from January 27, 2025, making Uttarakhand the first state in independent India where this law will come into effect. UCC will bring uniformity in society and ensure equal rights and responsibilities for all citizens.”
He further emphasized that the UCC aims to eliminate discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, and other factors in personal civil matters. “This is an offering 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,” Dhami added.
Speaking to ANI, CM Dhami highlighted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had fulfilled its promise made during the 2022 assembly elections to implement the UCC after forming the government. He referred to Article 44 of the Constitution, which calls for a uniform civil code for all citizens across the country.
“We promised the people of Uttarakhand that we would work towards implementing the UCC after coming to power, and today, Uttarakhand becomes the first state to bring it into effect,” CM Dhami said. “Under the UCC, there will be no discrimination based on gender, caste, or religion.”
The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Act, 2024, will establish a uniform framework for personal laws related to marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance. Under the new law, marriage can only be solemnized between individuals who meet specific criteria, including being legally capable, both parties must be of certain ages (men 21, women 18), and there should be no prohibited relationships between them.
The UCC also mandates the registration of marriages occurring after the law comes into effect, within 60 days. For marriages solemnized before March 26, 2010, or those taking place outside the state, registration is not mandatory but can be completed within six months if both parties meet the legal criteria.
The UCC will be applicable to all residents of Uttarakhand, except for Scheduled Tribes and certain protected communities. It will also extend to Uttarakhand residents living outside the state.
Uttarakhand’s move to implement the Uniform Civil Code marks a significant step in standardizing personal laws and promoting equality among all citizens, regardless of their background. The law is expected to be a major development in India’s legal framework, simplifying and unifying personal law matters across different communities.
