Uttarakhand First State to Enforce Uniform Civil Code: Main Provisions and Timeline
Uttarakhand has created history by becoming the first state in India to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a landmark step towards ensuring equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religion, gender, or social status. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the UCC rules and the official portal, UCC Uttarakhand, marking the state's commitment to equal rights for all its residents.
UCC Timeline and Key Rules
This procedure for the integration of UCC in Uttarakhand started by forming an expert committee on 27 May 2022. Once the detailed report was presented to them, the State Legislature passed this law on February 8, 2024, and later it was adopted by the President on March 8, 2024. After huge preparation, UCC was implemented effectively on January 27, 2025.
The main elements of the law stated by UCC are:
- Marriage and Divorce: Marriage registrations must be completed within 60 days, with provisions for divorce or annulments, including necessary court details.
- Live-in Relationships: Existing live-in relationships must be registered within one month, while new relationships must be registered within a month of starting.
- Inheritance Laws: Wills can be submitted in three formats – online form, handwritten, or recorded on video.
- Responsibilities of Registrars: The duties of the registrars are clearly defined, including maintaining timelines for action and ensuring that proper checks are conducted for marriage registrations, including notifying police in case of violations.
Implementation and Online Portal
For implementation of the UCC, there has been a dedicated online portal called ucc.uk.gov.in through which citizens can seek various registrations. Common Service Centers (CSCs) have been appointed as training partners for proper ground-level implementation. To provide technical support and legal answers, the state has established a helpline (1800-180-2525).
Also Read: Amritsar Vandalizes Dr. Ambedkar's Statue - Protests ask for CBI Probe
UCC Impact on a Broader Scale
With this bold move, Uttarakhand is going to set a precedent for other states in India, which might have a ripple effect on the whole country. It will help bring various aspects of personal and family laws under one common framework, which will be expected to bring social equality and streamline legal processes.
