The Uttarakhand government led by Pushkar Singh Dhami notified the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on Wednesday (March 13). The state becomes the first to have a UCC in the country. The Act became law after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the bill that was passed by the assembly last month. 


It is to be noted that Uttarakhand became the first state since independence to have a uniform civil code.


The bill was passed by voice vote on February 7, following a two-day debate in the Assembly, despite the Opposition's demand that it be sent to a House select committee first.


The legislation requires residents to register their live-in relationships, whether they live in or outside the state.


According to the UCC, children born in live-in relationships are considered legitimate. Furthermore, women who are abandoned by their live-in partners will be eligible for maintenance.


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According to the UCC, those who fail to register live-in relationships may face up to six months in jail.


Furthermore, women have special rights to divorce if their husband has been found guilty of rape or any other unnatural sex offence, and if their husband has more than one wife.


The law also prohibits polygamy and 'halala', which is practiced by some Muslims. However, the law will not apply to tribal communities in order to preserve their traditions, practices, and rituals.


Several BJP-ruled states, including Gujarat and Assam, have expressed interest in implementing a uniform civil code based on legislation passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly.


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A nine-member committee, led by a former chief secretary, was formed to draft rules governing procedures and the designation of competent level authorities to facilitate the implementation of the UCC law.


CM Dhami previously stated that it would ensure equality for all individuals in areas such as marriage, maintenance, inheritance, and divorce.