On January 27, 2025, Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), promoting equality in civil laws across gender, caste, and religion. Chief Minister Dhami highlighted the UCC’s role in ensuring uniformity in marriage, divorce, and inheritance laws, introducing mandatory marriage registration and fulfilling a key electoral promise.
Uttarakhand: On January 27, 2025, Uttarakhand made history by becoming the first Indian state to adopt and implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a landmark decision aimed at promoting equality and justice for all citizens. Announced earlier by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the UCC ensures that civil laws are uniform and non-discriminatory, transcending barriers of gender, caste, and religion.
“The Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in Uttarakhand from January 27, 2025, making it the first state in independent India to enforce this law,”
declared Chief Minister Dhami on X (formerly Twitter). He assured that all necessary preparations, including rule approvals and official training, had been completed to enable a smooth transition to this new legal framework.
The UCC seeks to create a unified legal system for matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession, replacing discriminatory personal laws that vary by religion. By standardizing these laws, the UCC guarantees equal legal rights for all citizens, regardless of their faith or gender, while exempting scheduled tribes.
A notable aspect of the UCC is the introduction of mandatory registration for marriages and live-in relationships, ensuring legal recognition and protection for individuals.
The implementation of the UCC fulfills a major promise made by the state government during the 2022 assembly elections, where the ruling party secured a decisive victory. Recently, the state cabinet approved the rules and regulations for the UCC, empowering CM Dhami to set its enforcement date.
CM Dhami hailed the reform as Uttarakhand’s contribution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of building a harmonious, self-reliant, and organized India. He emphasized that the UCC would foster equality, fairness, and unity among citizens, setting an example for other states to follow.
While the move has sparked debates nationwide, Uttarakhand’s bold initiative is widely regarded as a transformative step toward inclusive governance and social justice. Many view it as a progressive reform with significant societal and legal implications, creating a more equitable future for all.
The adoption of the UCC marks a historic milestone, reflecting Uttarakhand’s commitment to social harmony and equality. As India observes this groundbreaking achievement, Uttarakhand’s step forward may pave the way for other states to consider similar reforms, aligning the nation closer to its constitutional promise of justice for all.
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