Uttarakhand became the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The commitment to implement UCC was made during the 2022 Assembly elections and was fulfilled soon after the formation of the government. The UCC law came into force in the state on January 27, 2025, and is set to complete one year.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that a positive atmosphere has been created among the public regarding the Uniform Civil Code. He stated that citizens are coming forward in large numbers for registration and that the law ensures protection of citizens’ rights.
After the implementation of UCC, Uttarakhand has witnessed a sharp rise in marriage registrations. According to the Chief Minister, marriage registrations increased nearly 24 times after the law came into force, indicating growing awareness among citizens. The decision to implement UCC was taken in the very first cabinet meeting of the Dhami government, followed by completion of all formalities and public consultation.
The Chief Minister described the decision as a historic step towards social justice, gender equality, and equal rights. The law aligns with the spirit of Article 44 of the Indian Constitution and aims to provide equal rights and dignity to all citizens, especially women. Provisions related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, live-in relationships, and related matters have been included under UCC.
Increase in marriage registrations
The law clearly defines the legal age of marriage for men and women and introduces stricter provisions related to divorce and other procedures across all religions. The government claims that the law has helped women get relief from practices such as polygamy and halala. Official figures show that from January 27, 2025, to July 2025, more than three lakh marriages were registered under UCC within six months. In comparison, under the previous Act implemented in 2010, around 3.30 lakh marriages were registered up to January 26, 2025.
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On an average, daily marriage registrations under the old Act stood at 67, while after UCC implementation, the number has reportedly increased to 1,634 per day. However, opposition parties and social groups continue to closely watch the ground-level implementation and long-term impact of the law.
