Dehradun: In a letter addressed to district magistrates and department heads, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Radha Raturi emphasized the importance of marriage registration under the UCC.
To facilitate this process, district nodal officers will be responsible for overseeing the registration of marriages of all married employees within their respective districts. These officers are required to submit regular reports to the home secretary every week.
Each government department has been instructed to nominate a nodal officer
In addition to district nodal officers, each government department has been instructed to nominate a nodal officer who will ensure the registration of marriages of married personnel within their departments. To support this process, the director of the Uttarakhand Information Technology Development Agency has been directed to provide the necessary technical support to all districts and departments. This will help streamline the registration process on the UCC portal.
No provision of granting domicile certificates to outsiders based on marriage registration under the UCC
Amid circulating misinformation regarding certain provisions of the UCC, the Uttarakhand home department clarified that there is no provision granting domicile certificates to outsiders based on marriage registration under the UCC. The department stated that some people are spreading misleading information, suggesting that outsiders will receive domicile certificates by registering their marriage under the UCC in Uttarakhand.
This information is false and warned of legal action
The home department stressed that this information is false and warned of legal action under Section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against those spreading such rumors. The public has been urged to rely on official sources and avoid spreading unverified information. Those seeking clarification on any UCC-related provisions are advised to contact the Uttarakhand home department through official channels.
UCC implementation in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand became the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launching the UCC portal and rules on January 27, 2025. This landmark move is seen as a significant step towards social justice and equality. The UCC establishes a common set of personal laws applicable to all residents of Uttarakhand, regardless of religion, gender, or caste. These laws govern aspects such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession.
UCC does not apply to Scheduled Tribes (STs) notified under Article 342 and Article 366(25) of the Constitution
However, the UCC does not apply to Scheduled Tribes (STs) notified under Article 342 and Article 366(25) of the Constitution, or to protected authority-empowered persons and communities under Part XXI.
Under the UCC, marriages can only be solemnised between individuals who meet specific criteria: neither party should have a living spouse, both must be mentally capable of giving legal consent, the man must be at least 21 years old, the woman must be at least 18, and they must not be within the ambit of prohibited relationships.
