Uttarakhand Becomes First State To Enforce Uniform Civil Code

This will lay a framework for marriage, divorce, property, inheritance, etc…

On Monday, 27 January 2025, Uttarakhand will enforce a Uniform Civil Code, laying a framework for uniform marriage, divorce, property, inheritance, and adoption laws for all citizens.

Uttarakhand will become the second state after Goa to have a uniform legal framework for citizens.

The Code came into effect almost a year after the Bill was passed in the assembly, which was among the BJP's key election promises in the 2022 state polls. Now it is the mandatory registration of live-in relationships and parental consent for live-in relationships involving individuals under the age of 21 years. The rule will apply to "any resident of Uttarakhand... in a live-in relationship outside the state".

Failure to declare live-in relationships, or providing false information, could land a person in jail for three months or attract a fine of Rs. 25,000, or both. Even a month's delay in registration could trigger a jail term of up to three months, a fine of Rs. 10,000, or both.

Marriages will need to be registered and the minimum age of marriage across religions will be 21 years for men and 18 years for women. They can complete their education before they get married. Some other key elements are a ban on polygamy, child marriage, triple talaq, and a uniform process for divorce. The Code will not apply to Scheduled Tribes (ST).