Implementation of First Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand
▪ Uttarakhand has become the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) after independence.
▪ Currently, different religious communities follow separate laws regarding marriage, divorce, adoption, and property rights.
▪ For this, an expert committee was formed under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
Key Features
▪ UCC applies to all residents of Uttarakhand except tribal communities.
▪ Under this law, not only marriage registration but also live-in relationships must be registered with the government. This can be done online.
▪ The law ensures common rules for divorce, remarriage, and alimony.
▪ It prohibits polygamy and the practice of Halala.
▪ Emphasizing gender equality, it sets the same minimum marriage age for both men and women.
▪ It ensures equal property rights for both male and female children.
▪ Children born in void marriages will be considered legal heirs, and the will-writing process has been simplified.
