On January 27, 2025, Uttarakhand became the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), marking a historic move aimed at ensuring equality in matters of marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance across all communities.
Key Highlights of the UCC Implementation
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the UCC portal, which will enable citizens to register marriages, divorces, live-in relationships, and inheritance rights under the new code. The CM emphasized that UCC is not targeted at any religion or section but aims to end discriminatory practices and ensure gender equality.
“Today is a historic day for Uttarakhand and the nation. This law will empower women and bring equality to all. We also pay tribute to Dr. BR Ambedkar and the Constituent Assembly for drafting the Indian Constitution,” said Dhami during the event in Dehradun.
Key Provisions of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand
- Marriage and Divorce:
- Mandatory registration of all marriages and divorces.
- Common marriageable age of 18 for women and 21 for men.
- Inheritance and Property Rights:
- Equal inheritance rights for women in ancestral properties.
- Live-in Relationships:
- Mandatory self-declaration and registration to ensure the security of live-in couples.
- Aimed at preventing cases like the Shraddha Walkar murder in Delhi.
- Polygamy and Other Practices:
- Ban on polygamy.
- Registration for individuals in existing polygamous relationships.
- Accessibility:
- Online registration for marriages, divorces, births, deaths, and wills via the UCC portal.
- Assistance for digitally illiterate individuals through Common Service Centres (CSCs).
- Transparency and time-bound delivery with a “Tatkal” service for urgent registration needs.
Privacy and User-Friendliness
The government has ensured the protection of individual privacy, with personal data remaining confidential and not accessible to the public. The portal integrates data from various departments to streamline the registration process.
Why UCC Is Significant
The UCC aims to empower women by eliminating discriminatory practices such as halala, triple talaq, and child marriage. “UCC reflects the essence of equality enshrined in Article 44 of the Indian Constitution and harmonizes traditional practices with modern principles,” the BJP stated in its manifesto.
A Day to Remember
To commemorate this milestone, January 27 will now be observed as “Saman Nagrik Samhita Diwas” in Uttarakhand.
Political and National Context
The BJP’s push for UCC has been a long-standing commitment in its election manifestos. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significance of UCC during his address to BJP booth workers in 2023, and the party reiterated its promise to bring UCC nationwide.
As the first state to implement UCC, Uttarakhand has set a precedent for other states, underscoring its commitment to equality, women’s empowerment, and modern governance.
