Uttarakhand is poised to make history today by becoming the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). This significant legislation will be officially launched around 12:30 pm, shortly before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to the state.

According to government officials, the UCC will be applicable across Uttarakhand and will also extend to residents of the state who are living outside its borders.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will preside over the event, during which the UCC portal will be inaugurated at the state secretariat. On Sunday, Dhami emphasised that the UCC would lay the groundwork for a harmonious society, ensuring equality by eliminating discrimination based on religion, gender, caste or community.

"We are fulfilling our commitments. The abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir was an instance of it. The Indian republic stands firmly today under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," news agency PTI quoted him as saying in its report.

Last month, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be implemented in Uttarakhand starting in January 2025.

This decision came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to introducing the UCC. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister stated that the government was "working with full force for a secular civil code."

Dhami emphasised that the state government had completed all necessary "homework" and was fully prepared for the UCC to be enforced across Uttarakhand from January 2025.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we made a commitment to the people of the state about bringing the UCC in the run-up to the 2022 assembly elections. We took it up as a priority after forming the government. The UCC was drafted and an Act on it was brought. We are now going to fulfil that commitment fully and formally on Monday," he stated.

"It will be in keeping with the prime minister's vision of creating a harmonious India where there is no discrimination against any religion, gender, caste or community," he said further.

Key Features of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

• The UCC guarantees that both sons and daughters will have equal rights to inherit property, irrespective of their social or cultural background.
• Polygamy will be outlawed, establishing monogamy as the legal norm. The law specifies that individuals must be of sound mind and meet the age requirement, 21 years for men and 18 years for women, to marry. While marriages can follow religious customs, registration of the marriage will be compulsory.
• The UCC aims to eliminate discrimination between legitimate and illegitimate children in matters of property inheritance. All children will be regarded as biological descendants.
• Children who are adopted, born via surrogacy, or conceived through assisted reproductive technologies will be given the same rights and recognition as biological children.
• In the event of a person’s death, the law ensures equal inheritance rights for the spouse and children. Parents of the deceased will also be entitled to equal property rights.

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, introduced by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's government, sparked nationwide political debate and became a significant topic of discussion. It was passed in the Uttarakhand Assembly in February last year, despite opposition demands to refer the bill to the select committee of the House.

The bill aimed to replace outdated personal laws governing areas such as marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships. Highlighting the bill's significance, Chief Minister Dhami emphasised that the UCC would ensure equality for everyone without discrimination in matters such as marriage, maintenance, inheritance and divorce. He stated, "The UCC will mainly remove the discrimination against women."

In March 2024, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the UCC Bill, officially enacting it into law.