Uttarakhand To Roll Out Uniform Civil Code On Jan 27, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami To Unveil UCC Portal

Uttarakhand will implement the Uniform Civil Code on January 27, becoming the first Indian state to do so. The Chief Minister will launch the UCC portal the same day.

File Photo of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami

Source : PTI

Uttarakhand government will implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on January 27, just a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Dehradun. On the same day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will also launch the UCC portal.

In his Republic Day message, CM Dhami extended his greetings to the people of Uttarakhand and highlighted the state government's preparations to implement the UCC in "Devbhoomi". He emphasised that Uttarakhand will become the first state in India to enforce a Uniform Civil Code, news agency ANI reported.

"The UCC portal will be launched at 12:30 pm on January 27 at the Secretariat. Uttarakhand will be the first state in independent India to implement UCC," said Shailesh Bagoli, CM Dhami’s secretary, according to ANI.

UCC Provisions On Marriage Registration

Notably, on Wednesday, Uttarakhand government officially notified its Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on legal provisions concerning marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance, with a focus on protecting individual rights and fostering social harmony. An official statement confirmed that the UCC will apply across the entire state of Uttarakhand and to its residents living outside the state as well.

With this, Uttarakhand is set to standardise and simplify personal laws related to marriage and family matters. However, the UCC excludes Scheduled Tribes (ST), as defined under Article 342 and Article 366 (25) of the Constitution, as well as persons and communities empowered under Part XXI.

The UCC Act 2024 includes provisions to simplify the legal processes surrounding marriage. According to ANI, it mandates that marriage can only take place between parties who meet certain criteria, including both individuals being mentally capable, the man having attained at least 21 years of age and the woman 18, with no living spouse, and the relationship not being prohibited by law. Marriage rituals can follow any religious or legal custom, but registration within 60 days is compulsory for all marriages taking place after the Act’s implementation.

Marriages performed between March 26, 2010, and the Act’s enforcement must be registered within six months, while marriages prior to March 26, 2010, and those conducted outside Uttarakhand, can be registered within six months if they meet all legal eligibility criteria, though this is not mandatory.

Additionally, the UCC provides a streamlined process for marriage registration, with a requirement for the sub-registrar to make a decision within 15 days of receiving an application. If no decision is made within that period, the application is automatically forwarded to the registrar. The Act also offers an appeal process in case of registration rejection, along with penalties for providing false information. While non-registration does not invalidate a marriage, both online and offline registration options will be available.

To ensure effective implementation, the state government will appoint a registrar general, registration officers, and sub-registrars to manage and monitor marriage records. This law not only outlines how marriages should be solemnised but also establishes provisions for the legal recognition of both new and existing marriages.