Uttarakhand to implement Uniform Civil Code by January 2025, says CM Dhami

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced that the state will implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) from January 2025, making it the first state in India to do so after Independence. Speaking during the Uttarakhand Investment and Infrastructure Development Board (UIIDB) meeting, Dhami confirmed that all preparations for this significant legal reform have been completed. He emphasized that the implementation of UCC aligns with the principles of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Vishwas” (With everyone’s cooperation, development, and trust) and aims to empower women and children.

The decision follows a detailed process that began in March 2022, shortly after the new government assumed office. The state cabinet’s first meeting resolved to form an expert committee to draft UCC guidelines. This five-member committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, submitted its comprehensive report on October 18, 2024. The report, divided into four sections, addresses issues such as marriage and divorce registration, live-in relationships, birth and death registration, and inheritance rules.

The UCC legislation passed through the Uttarakhand State Legislative Assembly in February 2024 and received presidential assent by March 2024. Dhami highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating that the UCC law would provide a uniform legal framework across faiths and tribes, replacing customary laws and creating a fairer system.

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Key features of the UCC

The UCC aims to establish a common set of laws governing critical aspects of personal life, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance. Currently part of the non-justiciable directive principles of state policy in the Indian Constitution, the UCC has long been a subject of national debate. Uttarakhand’s initiative could pave the way for broader adoption of such reforms across India.

The groundwork for this legal overhaul involved extensive consultations and careful drafting by experts. Shatrughna Singh, a retired IAS officer and former chief secretary, played a pivotal role in heading the committee responsible for preparing the UCC rules. With the notification of the UCC Uttarakhand 2024 Act and subsequent preparation of implementation rules, the state is now fully ready to enforce the code.

The introduction of UCC in Uttarakhand marks a transformative step toward achieving legal uniformity and social justice. By addressing long-standing disparities in personal laws, the state aims to set a precedent for the rest of the country while ensuring inclusivity and empowerment for all citizens.