Mon Oct 13 14:13:31 UTC 2025: **Summary of the Text:**

The Uttarakhand government has amended its Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to allow citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet residing in the state to register their marriages even without an Aadhaar card. They can now use citizenship certificates, residence certificates, passports, or other valid IDs. The amendment aims to address the challenges faced by these communities due to their historic and cultural ties with Uttarakhand. Since its implementation, the UCC has seen over 4 lakh marriage registrations. The UCC, while banning practices like halala and talaq, ensures equal rights for women and mandates marriage and divorce registration.

**News Article:**

**Uttarakhand Eases Marriage Registration for Nepali and Bhutanese Residents**

**NEW DELHI, October 13, 2025** – The Uttarakhand government has announced a crucial amendment to its Uniform Civil Code (UCC), providing relief to Nepali, Bhutanese, and Tibetan residents who lack Aadhaar cards. The amendment, approved on Monday, allows these individuals to register their marriages using alternative forms of identification such as citizenship certificates, residence certificates, or passports.

According to state government sources, this decision was made to accommodate the unique circumstances of these communities, which share strong historical and cultural ties with Uttarakhand. “Citizens of these countries are also part of the State’s social justice system, and therefore, it would be inappropriate to exclude them from any legal process,” stated an official involved in the Cabinet meeting.

Since the UCC’s implementation earlier this year, marriage registrations have surged, with over 400,000 people registering on the dedicated portal.

The UCC, passed in February 2024, excludes tribal communities and outlaws practices such as halala, iddat, and talaq. It aims to ensure gender equality in property and inheritance rights. The code also mandates the registration of marriages and divorces, with penalties for non-compliance. Moreover, children born out of live-in relationships will be recognized as legitimate.

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