Mon Jan 27 17:57:30 IST 2025: ## Uttarakhand Becomes First Indian State to Implement Uniform Civil Code
**Dehradun, January 27, 2025** – Uttarakhand today became the first state in India to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), marking a historic step towards establishing a common set of laws for all citizens regardless of religion. The UCC aims to eliminate religious discrimination in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the code’s implementation fulfills a key promise made by the BJP during the 2022 assembly elections. He emphasized the UCC’s goal of ensuring equality and justice within society. The law applies to all Uttarakhand residents, including those living outside the state. A key component of the UCC is mandatory registration of marriages, impacting both existing and future unions. Registration will provide legal recognition, essential for accessing rights related to maintenance, property, and inheritance. Failure to register could lead to difficulties in enforcing legal rights.
The UCC, implemented following extensive consultations with experts and community representatives, has sparked both support and opposition. While proponents highlight its potential to strengthen women’s rights and promote transparency and equality, critics remain. The new law mandates a minimum marriage age of 18 for girls and 21 for boys, and prohibits second marriages while a spouse is still alive.
First Piper 