The Uniform Civil Code will come into effect in Uttarakhand from Monday (27 January). Uttarakhand is set to be the first Indian state to implement the UCC.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasised that the implementation of the UCC will bring uniformity to all laws relating to personal civil matters that discriminate on the basis of caste, religion, gender, etc. He said that all necessary preparations have been completed to implement the UCC, including the approval of the rules of the Act and the training of the concerned officials.
CM Dhami, in a post on the social media platform X, said, “Dear residents of the state, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in the state from 27 January 2025, making Uttarakhand the first state in independent India where this law will come into effect. All necessary preparations have been completed to implement the UCC, which includes the approval of the rules of the Act and the training of the concerned officials. The UCC will bring uniformity to society and ensure equal rights and responsibilities for all citizens. The Uniform Civil Code is just an offering made by our state in the great yajna being conducted by the Prime Minister to make the country a developed, organised, harmonious, and self-reliant nation. Under the Uniform Civil Code, an attempt has been made to bring uniformity to all laws relating to personal civil matters that discriminate on the basis of caste, religion, sex, etc.”
He referred to Article 44 of the Constitution, which mentions that the country “shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.”
Article 44 of the Constitution is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
This provision directs the government to work towards establishing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) that applies uniformly to all citizens across the country.
This article is a directive principle and is not enforceable by law. However, it reflects the constitutional aspiration to promote national integration and equality by harmonising personal laws.
CM Dhami said to ANI that the Bharatiya Janata Party has fulfilled the promise they made in 2022.
“During the 2022 assembly election, which we contested under the leadership of PM Modi, we promised the people of the state that we would work to implement the UCC after forming the government. We have fulfilled all the formalities, and the Act (UCC) is now ready to be implemented… Uttarakhand has become the first state to bring the UCC—where there will be no discrimination based on gender, caste, or religion—and we are bringing the UCC—mentioned under Article 44 of the Constitution—on 27 January…” CM Dhami told ANI.
The Uttarakhand government will implement the Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Act, 2024, today. The state government will ensure a streamlined framework for the creation and cancellation of wills and supplementary documents, known as codicils, under testamentary succession.
The Uttarakhand government has stated that this law applies across the entire state and also to residents living outside Uttarakhand.
The UCC applies to all residents of Uttarakhand, except Scheduled Tribes and certain protected communities.
Uttarakhand aims to simplify and standardise laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession after implementing UCC.
Under this law, marriage can only take place if both parties meet these conditions: neither has a living spouse, both are mentally capable of giving consent, the man is at least 21 years old and the woman at least 18, and they are not related within prohibited degrees.
While marriage ceremonies can be performed according to any religious or legal customs, it is mandatory to register marriages that take place after the law is implemented within 60 days.
With inputs from ANI
Link to article –
