Dehradun: Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), aiming to simplify and standardize personal laws related to marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami launched a designated portal for UCC regulations today, on Monday afternoon, at CM residence in Dehradun. Dhami cabinet ministers, Rekha Arya, Subodh Uniyal, Ganesh Joshi and Prem Chandra Agarwal were also present.
On this occasion, Uttarakhand chief secretary Radha Raturi said that there will be no interference in rituals and customs of any religion. Shatrughan Singh, head of UCC regulation committee, also highlighted the key points of UCC. The UCC applies to all residents of Uttarakhand, except Scheduled Tribes and protected authority-empowered persons and communities. This landmark legislation introduces new regulations for live-in relationships, marriages, and civil matters, supported by a dedicated portal to streamline registrations and address complaints.
UCC, a set of common laws that apply equally to everyone
The UCC is a set of common laws that apply equally to everyone in matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption, regardless of religion, caste, or community. The government claims that the UCC is aimed at promoting equality and justice in society, ensuring that everyone is treated fairly under the same legal framework. According to the state government, this act applies to the entire area of the state of Uttarakhand and is also effective on the residents of the state living outside Uttarakhand.
All marriages and live-in relationships are now required to be registered
Under the UCC, all marriages and live-in relationships are now required to be registered, mandating the submission of key details such as names, proof of age, religion, and Aadhaar details. Authorities will verify any objections raised by third parties regarding such unions. For live-in couples, the registration process is similar to marriages, requiring partners to provide names, proof of age, nationality, religion, previous relationship status, and phone numbers through an official portal. It puts a blanket ban on polygamy and ‘Halala’ across all communities.
Two types of live-in relationship registrations
The portal offers two types of live-in relationship registrations: one for partners residing in Uttarakhand and another for state natives living elsewhere in India. Applicants must also upload photos and declarations during registration. Additionally, any children born from these relationships must be registered within seven days of obtaining their birth certificates, ensuring comprehensive documentation.
Any disputes regarding the succession can be addressed through the designated portal
As per new changes under the UCC, testamentary successions now require the Aadhaar details of the declarant, heirs, and witnesses. Witnesses must upload video recordings of themselves reading out the secession declaration, and legal heirs must be explicitly declared. Any disputes regarding the succession can be addressed through the designated portal.
Mandatory to register marriages within 60 days
To streamline and simplify the legal processes related to marriage, a public welfare system promoting the protection of individual rights and social harmony has been provided in the Uniform Civil Code Act, 2024 of Uttarakhand, the statement added. Under this, marriage can be solemnized only between those parties where the man has completed at least 21 years of age and the woman 18 years of age, and they should not be in the ambit of prohibited relationships. Marriage rituals can be performed in any form under religious customs or legal provisions, but it is mandatory to register marriages taking place after the implementation of the Act within 60 days.
Marriages taking place from March 26, 2010 can get registered within six months
Marriages taking place from March 26, 2010, to the implementation of the Act will have to be registered within six months. Those who have already registered as per the prescribed standards, although they are not required to register again, will still have to acknowledge the registration done earlier. Marriages solemnized before March 26, 2010, or outside the state of Uttarakhand, where both parties have been living together since then and fulfill all the legal eligibility criteria, can (although it is not mandatory) get registered within six months of the coming into force of the Act, said an official statement.
Application will be considered automatically accepted if no decision is taken
Similarly, the work of acceptance and acknowledgment of marriage registration is also required to be completed promptly. After receiving the application, the sub-registrar has to make an appropriate decision within 15 days. According to the statement, if no decision is taken on the application related to marriage registration within the prescribed period of 15 days, then that application is automatically forwarded to the registrar; whereas, in the case of acknowledgment, the application will be considered automatically accepted after the same period.
There is a provision of penalty for giving false information
Along with this, a transparent appeal process is also available if the registration application is rejected. There is a provision of penalty for giving false information for registration under the Act, and it has also been clarified that the marriage will not be considered invalid merely due to non-registration. Registration can be done both online and offline. To implement these provisions, the state government will appoint a registrar general, Registration and sub-registrar, who will ensure the maintenance and monitoring of the relevant records.
This Act does not apply to the Scheduled Tribes (ST)
This Act also lays down who can marry and how marriages are to be solemnized and provides clear provisions on how both new and old marriages can be legally recognized, the statement added. This Act does not apply to the Scheduled Tribes (ST) notified under Article 342 and Article 366 (25) of the Constitution, and protected authority-empowered persons and communities under Part XXI have also been excluded from its purview.
A dedicated UCC portal has been developed
A dedicated UCC portal has been developed to streamline registrations and complaints with separate login options for citizens, officials, and service center staff. To enhance support and ensure efficient resolution, three state-level assistance centers have been established by the state government, providing both technical and legal assistance.
UCC will bring uniformity in society and ensure equal rights
On the eve of Republic Day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said to ANI that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in the state from January 27, making Uttarakhand the first state in independent India where this law will come into effect. The CM said that all the necessary preparations have been completed to implement the UCC, including approval of the rules of the Act and training of the concerned officials. UCC will bring uniformity in society and ensure equal rights and responsibilities for all citizens.
