Uttarakhand becomes the first state in India to implement Uniform Civil Code

On 27 January 2025, Uttarakhand made history as the first Indian state to have a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in its rule. Declared by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami earlier, this change was made to present equality to all citizens irrespective of gender, caste, or religion and to harmonise the civil laws.

"The Uniform Civil Code will come into force in Uttarakhand from 27 January, 2025, thereby making it the first state in free India to have enacted this legislation, Chief Minister Dhami said in an X posting. In order for the transition into the new law to be a smooth one, he said that all necessary preparations-including approval of rules and state officials' training-had already been completed."

The UCC intends to establish one uniform body of law regarding such matters as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession in an effort to remove personal discriminatory laws. The reform through standardization will ensure that there is equal treatment by law for everybody, irrespective of sex or religion except scheduled tribes, as regards rights. A most important feature of the UCC would be the inclusion of registration for marriages and live-in relationships to provide legal validity and protect the rights of individuals.

The UCC was one of the major election promises made by the state government during the 2022 assembly elections, when the party had won with a decisive majority. The UCC rules and regulations have been allowed by the state cabinet to come into effect, and Chief Minister Dhami has been permitted to decide on an appointment date.

CM Dhami described the UCC as the contribution of Uttarakhand in the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a harmonious, organized, and self-reliant India. He underscored the fact that UCC would bring equal treatment, equity, and uniformity among people and set an example for the other states as well.

Uttarakhand becomes the first state in India to implement Uniform Civil Code

On 27 January 2025, Uttarakhand made history as the first Indian state to have a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in its rule. Declared by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami earlier, this change was made to present equality to all citizens irrespective of gender, caste, or religion and to harmonise the civil laws.

"The Uniform Civil Code will come into force in Uttarakhand from 27 January, 2025, thereby making it the first state in free India to have enacted this legislation, Chief Minister Dhami said in an X posting. In order for the transition into the new law to be a smooth one, he said that all necessary preparations-including approval of rules and state officials' training-had already been completed."

The UCC intends to establish one uniform body of law regarding such matters as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession in an effort to remove personal discriminatory laws. The reform through standardization will ensure that there is equal treatment by law for everybody, irrespective of sex or religion except scheduled tribes, as regards rights. A most important feature of the UCC would be the inclusion of registration for marriages and live-in relationships to provide legal validity and protect the rights of individuals.

The UCC was one of the major election promises made by the state government during the 2022 assembly elections, when the party had won with a decisive majority. The UCC rules and regulations have been allowed by the state cabinet to come into effect, and Chief Minister Dhami has been permitted to decide on an appointment date.

CM Dhami described the UCC as the contribution of Uttarakhand in the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a harmonious, organized, and self-reliant India.He underscored the fact that UCC would bring equal treatment, equity, and uniformity among people and set an example for the other states as well.