The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has completed one year of implementation in Uttarakhand, marking a significant shift in how personal laws are governed across the state. Over the past year, the UCC system successfully recorded more than 470,000 marriage registrations, along with 68 live-in relationship registrations, reflecting diverse societal dynamics.
Introduced by the state government as a pioneering initiative in India, the UCC aims to provide equal legal frameworks for all citizens, irrespective of religion, in matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession. Government officials say the law has enhanced transparency, accountability, and ease of access to personal documentation and legal procedures for residents statewide.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the implementation aligns with the state’s vision of inclusive justice and gender equality, offering uniform rights and protections for individuals from varied backgrounds. The civil code has also expedited application processing through digital platforms, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for citizens.
Legal experts note that while the UCC’s rollout has been smooth, challenges remain in public awareness and adapting communities to the new norms. Public outreach campaigns have been launched to help citizens understand their rights under the UCC, encouraging them to leverage the code for legal clarity and protection.
Overall, Uttarakhand’s uniform civil code marks a watershed moment in state governance — setting a precedent for comprehensive personal law reform in India.
