Mon Jan 27 21:42:35 IST 2025: ## Uttarakhand Becomes First State to Implement Uniform Civil Code

**Dehradun, [Date]:** Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), marking a significant legal and social change. The new law, effective immediately, standardizes personal laws relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens regardless of religion.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami officially launched the UCC and a dedicated portal for registration. He expressed his pride in fulfilling a key election promise, highlighting that the UCC will ensure equal justice for women across all communities and put an end to practices such as halala, iddat, child marriage, and polygamy. Scheduled Tribes, protected under Article 342 of the Constitution, are exempted from the code. The CM clarified that the UCC does not target any specific religion but aims to curb harmful practices. He also emphasized that traditional ceremonies will continue, but a minimum age of 18 for girls and 21 for boys will be enforced for marriage. Registration for both marriages and divorces will be mandatory, and children born out of wedlock, including those from live-in relationships, will have equal inheritance rights.

The UCC Drafting Committee Chairman, Shatrughan Singh, stated that the launch of the online portal will enable citizens to easily register under the new code. He underscored the historical significance of the implementation, noting that policymakers have debated this for 75 years.

While the state government initially planned full implementation by January 2025, the UCC is now in effect. The Chief Minister previously stated that the UCC will establish a harmonious society free from discrimination based on religion, gender, caste, or community. He cited the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir as an example of the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises.

The Uniform Civil Code aims to create a single set of laws governing personal matters for all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation. This includes matters of marriage, divorce, adoption, and property inheritance, as well as live-in relationships, all now subject to the same legal framework.

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