NATIONAL DAILY AFFAIRS

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.