DEHRADUN, Dec 18 (2024) – Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced today that the state will implement India’s first Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in January 2025, marking a historic shift in the country’s civil law framework.
The comprehensive legislation, which received presidential assent in March 2024, will establish uniform rules for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and property rights across all religious communities in the state.
“All preparations have been completed, and Uttarakhand will become the first state to implement such a law post-independence,” Dhami said during the announcement.
The new code introduces several significant changes:
• Equal inheritance rights for all children
• Regulation of live-in relationships
• Ban on polygamy and polyandry
• Elimination of practices like halala and triple talaq
• Protection of unborn children’s rights
To facilitate implementation, the state government has developed digital infrastructure including a dedicated portal and mobile application for online services. Officials will undergo specialized training before the law takes effect.
The journey to implementation began in March 2022 when the state cabinet approved the formation of an expert committee led by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. The resulting 740-page draft was passed by the state assembly in February 2024.
“We have ensured maximum services will be available online for public convenience,” Dhami added, emphasizing the government’s commitment to smooth implementation.
The UCC’s introduction in Uttarakhand is being closely watched by other states as it represents the first successful implementation of uniform personal laws at the state level in post-independent India.
