Uttarakhand to Implement Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in January 2025

The Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declared on December 2024 that the UCC would be implemented in the state from January 2025. This will come after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that all BJP-ruled states will implement UCC like Uttarakhand. The CM made this announcement during a meeting of the Uttarakhand Investment & Infrastructure Development Board (UIIDB) at Dehradun. He also said that the guideline for the exercise to be followed upon admission to the UCC had been established and that training for the persons to be implemented with the exercise was ongoing. The Law department of the state has gone through the UCC rules and another five-member expert committee headed by retired Judge, Ranjana Prakash Desai has recommended the framework for UCC in the state.

The UCC Bill was presented in the Uttaranchal House on 07-February-2024 was approved in the Uttarakhand Assembly on the same day and notified by the President of India on 12-March-2024. Dhami said that the UCC has the potential to provide women and children of the state improved rights and thus Uttarakhand will support this initiative as an attempt to enhance social justice and unity of the nation. He stressed that the newly constituted UCC would follow the vision of the “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” The post Graduate Legal Education Took its inception in year 1950, and the first attempt was made for its legislation in the year 1961. To make the implementation process more efficient the state has created an online portal and an application for online registrations and appeals. The implementation was set for November 9, 2024 – however, it was rescheduled to provide adequate training for the officials.

Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said ‘The Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in Uttarakhand from January 2025’. The rules of the UCC have been put in place by the state government recently while training of personnel is still on. As for the UCC rules they have ben examined by the state of Law Department. For the UCC, an online registration has been created through a portal and an application has also been created for appeal related mechanisms.

Expert Committee: In March 2022 after the new government came into power, a five-member expert committee was set with the head ship of retired judge Ranjana Prakash Desai who assisted in framing of UCC Bill, 2024.

About Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

Definition: 

• A Uniform Civil Code means that there should be one legal policy for all irrespective of religion as far as personal law is concerned. 

• The matters within the domain of personal laws are dealing with marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, adoption and succession of the property.

Current Status: 

• At present most Indians in such matters are guided by their religious law of the land. 

• In Goa, a common civil code in a civil law tradition is currently in operation under the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867. UCC was implemented in 2025 in Uttarakhand.

• According to the 21st Law Commission of India (2018), there is no need at present to formulate the UCC and to reform the family laws of every religion by making them gender-just. 

Issues Associated with Implementing UCC:

• Against Diversity: Personal laws reflect deep cultural and religious practices, and enforcing a UCC may threaten religious freedom (Article 25) and cultural identities.

• Lack of Consensus: Implementing UCC without unanimous consent could lead to social unrest and opposition from different communities.

• Against Cooperative Federalism: Experts argue that a uniform code could infringe upon state legislative powers, challenging the principle of cooperative federalism.

The Way Forward on Implementing UCC in India

• Consensus Building: Promote the program among as many groups as possible through inter-organizational discourses to address potential social conflict.

• Socio-Economic Impact Analysis: Examine the possible effect on communities that are likely to be vulnerable and or marginalized, as you include provisions meant for such groups.

• Education and Awareness: Educate the public on progressive thinking in order to assist the citizens to appreciate what has since been implemented under the UCC.

• Codification of Personal Laws: To formulate a UN code to eliminate discrimination and prejudice provide principles of justice for everyone.

Conclusion

The implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand from January 2025 is a significant step towards social justice and gender equality. The move aims to bring unity among the state's diverse communities, fostering progress. The initiative will serve as a model for other states seeking similar reforms. With adequate training and an online platform in place, this transition will ensure effective implementation.