Uttarakhand Rolls Out Uniform Civil Code, Becomes First State To Do So

In a historic move, Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), almost a year after the Uttarakhand Assembly passed the UCC Bill, 2024.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the rollout on 27th January at his camp office in Dehradun, where he also launched the UCC rules manual and a portal for applications under the new law.

The UCC introduces several key changes, including mandatory registration of live-in relationships, conditions for contract marriages, a ban on halal, iddat, and polygamy, and equal inheritance rights for men and women.

Notably, it applies to all Uttarakhand residents, even those living outside the state, but excludes Scheduled Tribes. One groundbreaking aspect of the Act is the mandatory registration of live-in relationships. Residents entering such relationships must register with a Registrar within a month, failing which they may face jail time, fines, or both.

The UCC received the President of India, Droupadi Murmu’s, assent in March last year. This bold move by Uttarakhand sets a precedent for other states as India debates the broader adoption of a Uniform Civil Code.
Source: – Live Law
By: – Rajat Ranjan
Follow me on Instagram- @therajatranjan
Follow us on Instagram- @SadhanaSources