Dehradun: Uttarakhand will become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on January 27, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced. The UCC aims to ensure equality for all citizens by bringing uniformity to personal civil matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance.

In a statement, Dhami confirmed that all necessary preparations for the UCC’s implementation have been completed, including approval of the rules and training of relevant officials. The UCC Act was officially notified on March 12, 2024, after receiving presidential assent. "The Uniform Civil Code is just an offering made by our state in the great 'yagya' being performed by the prime minister to make the country a developed, organized, harmonious, and self-reliant nation," said Dhami, emphasising the importance of the new law.

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The UCC aims to bring uniformity in personal civil laws, removing discrimination based on caste, religion, or gender. Dhami explained that the UCC will help ensure equal rights and responsibilities for all citizens, regardless of their background. “The Uniform Civil Code is a step towards unifying laws that currently differ based on personal factors like religion and caste,” he added.

A long-standing BJP agenda

The implementation of the UCC has been a key agenda for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for several years. Uttarakhand’s BJP-led government is the first to take concrete steps towards its implementation, just ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This move may serve as a model for other BJP-ruled states to introduce similar legislation.

The UCC was also a major commitment in the BJP's 2022 assembly campaign, contributing to their victory and re-election in Uttarakhand.

Dhami marked the start of 2025 as the silver jubilee year of Uttarakhand’s statehood, promising significant achievements for the state. He reiterated his commitment to implementing the UCC in January, stating, “We are celebrating 2025 as the silver jubilee year of statehood to Uttarakhand. It is going to be a year of big achievements. We have kept our promise of bringing a UCC. We will implement it in January.” He further stated, “The Gangotri of UCC will spring from Uttarakhand and spread to the rest of the country,” highlighting the state’s role in this landmark legislative change.

Key provisions of the UCC

The UCC will establish a uniform set of laws concerning marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance for all citizens, excluding scheduled tribes. One of the key features of the UCC is the mandatory registration of marriages and live-in relationships, which will ensure greater legal recognition and protection for all citizens.

With the implementation of the UCC, Uttarakhand is setting a precedent for legal reforms aimed at creating a more equal and unified society.

Agency