Uttarakhand to Implement Uniform Civil Code from January 2025

Uttarakhand will become the first Indian state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) starting January 2025, fulfilling a key promise made by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami during the 2022 assembly elections. The UCC aims to establish uniform personal laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption, regardless of religion or caste, while excluding tribal communities. With preparations reportedly complete, this move marks a significant legal reform in India post-independence.

Formation of UCC: Past and Present

Genesis in 2022: Following the BJP’s victory in the 2022 Uttarakhand assembly elections, the first cabinet meeting of the new government approved the formation of a five-member expert committee led by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to draft the UCC.

Legislative Milestone: The Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand 2024 Bill, was passed in the state assembly on February 7, 2024, and received presidential assent on March 12, 2024.

Implementation Roadmap

Final Preparations: A nine-member sub-committee, led by former chief secretary Shatrughna Singh, drafted the rules after 43 meetings. The training of officials and infrastructure setup are in the final stages.

Digital Initiatives: A portal and mobile app have been developed to facilitate online registration, appeals, and other UCC-related services for public convenience.

Execution Framework: Three sub-committees framed the implementation rules under Singh’s guidance. Adequate training and resources for personnel have been ensured to streamline the rollout.

Significance of the UCC in Uttarakhand

The Uniform Civil Code seeks to make the state legally just and equitable by eliminating disparities in personal laws. CM Dhami emphasized the transformational nature of this move, stating it as a step toward uniformity in personal laws, except for the state’s tribal communities, who are excluded from the Act.

Summary of the news

Key Point	Details
Why in News	Uttarakhand will implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) from January 2025, becoming the first Indian state to do so post-independence. The UCC Bill was passed on February 7, 2024, and received presidential assent on March 12, 2024.
UCC Expert Committee	Chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
Implementation Framework	Rules finalized by a nine-member sub-committee led by former Chief Secretary Shatrughna Singh.
Legislative Process	Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand, 2024 Bill passed in the state assembly.
Exclusion	Tribal communities are excluded from the UCC provisions.
Digital Initiatives	A portal and mobile app have been developed for registration and appeals related to the UCC.
CM of Uttarakhand	Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Capital of Uttarakhand	Summer: Gairsain, Winter: Dehradun.
Formation of State	Uttarakhand was formed on November 9, 2000.