Uttarakhand Approves Rules for Uniform Civil Code

Uttarakhand is set to be the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), having approved the UCC rules manual. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state Cabinet has cleared the manual, establishing key provisions for registration services, live-in relationships, and Tatkal services. The government is also rolling out advanced digital platforms to ensure efficient and widespread access to these services. Officials are currently undergoing training, with a statewide mock drill scheduled to ensure smooth implementation.

Key Provisions of UCC Rules

• Scope of UCC: The code aims to unify laws related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance across all communities and faiths in the state.
• Online Portal and App: A dedicated portal and mobile application will facilitate online registrations, improving public access and ease of use.
   

Key Registration Services

• Marriage Registration: Includes registration and acknowledgment of marriages.
• Divorce Registration: Covers the registration of divorces and annulment of marriages.
• Live-in Relationships: Allows registration and termination of live-in relationships.
• Inheritance: Registers intestate succession (legal heirs) and testamentary succession (wills).
• Appeals: Details the procedure for appealing decisions.
• Grievances: A mechanism to file and track complaints.
• Access to Information: Provides access to data and details about registered services.
   

Equality Provisions

• Women’s Rights: Ensures equal inheritance rights and bans polygamy, alongside rights to adoption and divorce.
• Registration Requirements: Mandates registration or self-declaration for marriages and live-in relationships.
• Legal Age for Marriage: Establishes a standard marriageable age of 18 for women and 21 for men.
   

Digital and Physical Access

• Common Service Centres (CSC): These centres will assist those who are not digitally literate, especially in rural areas.
• Helpline and Support: A dedicated helpline and district officers will assist with legal queries and portal issues.
   

Training and Implementation

• Officials’ Training: Extensive training is underway for officials to familiarize them with the portal and processes.
• Mock Drill: A statewide mock drill is planned for January 21, 2025, to test system readiness.
• Training Completion: The government aims to complete the training of 10,000 village development officers (VDOs) by January 24, 2025.
• Implementation Timeline: The government will announce the official UCC implementation date once training concludes.
   

Key Objectives

• Inclusivity: The UCC seeks to ensure equal access to legal services for all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic background or location.
• Ease of Access: By combining digital and offline services, especially in remote areas, Uttarakhand aims to simplify legal processes like marriage and succession registration.
• Fostering Transparency: Digital integration is designed to enhance transparency, reduce bureaucracy, and streamline legal procedures.