Why in news?

Uttarakhand government officially implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on January 27, 2025, making it the first Indian state to adopt the UCC post-Independence.

The UCC, which excludes Scheduled Tribes and natives who have migrated out of the state, was passed by the State Assembly in February 2024.

What’s in today’s article?

• Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
• Key highlights of Uttarakhand’s UCC

Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

• The Uniform Civil Code is a law that seeks to establish a common set of legal provisions for all citizens, regardless of religion or community.
• It will standardise marriage, divorce, inheritance, property rights, and adoption laws.

Key highlights of Uttarakhand’s UCC

• Vision
  • UCC as a constitutional measure aims to eliminate discrimination and ensure women's empowerment.
  • It promotes equality and does not discriminate based on gender, caste, or religion.
  • Scheduled Tribes, as defined under Article 342 of the Constitution, have been exempted from the UCC to protect their rights.
• Key Features of the UCC
  • Banned Practices: Prohibits halala, iddat, and talaq from Muslim Personal Law.
  • Equal Rights for Women: Ensures equal property and inheritance rights.
  • Mandatory Online Registrations: Marriage, divorce, and live-in relationships must be registered on the government portal ucc.uk.gov.in.
• Marriage Laws
  • Legal marriage age: 21 years for men and 18 years for women.
  • Mandatory marriage registration.
  • Prohibits polygamy, child marriage, and triple talaq.
• Inheritance and Property Rights
  • Equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters.
  • Recognizes children of live-in couples as "legitimate," granting them equal inheritance rights.
• UCC Online Portal
  • Aadhaar-Based Verification: Ensures user authenticity.
  • Multilingual Translation: AI-based service translates content into 22 languages.
  • Integrated Database: Linked with 13 government departments, including police and courts.
  • Tatkal Facility: Emergency processing available for a nominal fee.
• Registration Deadlines
  • Marriages Since 2010: Must be registered within six months.
  • New Marriages: Register within 60 days of marriage.
  • Live-In Relationships: Register within one month of UCC implementation.
• Live-In Relationship Rules
  • Mandatory registration for couples aged 21 and above.
    • Parental consent required for couples under 21 years.
  • Applicable to Uttarakhand residents, including those in live-in relationships outside the state.
  • Termination: Can be applied for online or offline, requiring mutual consent.
  • Pregnancy Notification: Mandatory to report pregnancy within 30 days of childbirth.
  • Housing Rights: Landlords cannot deny housing to registered live-in couples.
• Registration of Wills
  • The UCC portal offers three methods for will registration:
    • Online form submission.
    • Uploading handwritten/typed wills.
    • Recording a three-minute video.
• Registration Process
• Applications are reviewed within 15 days or 3 days in emergencies.
• Sub-registrars and registrars will handle documentation and appeals.
• Appeals against rejections must be filed within 30 days, with decisions taken within 60 days.
• Penalties for Violations
  • Initial warnings for non-compliance.
  • Fines for repeated violations.

Conclusion

The UCC aims to abolish practices like halala, polygamy, child marriage, and triple talaq, fostering equality among citizens. By removing gender biases in inheritance laws and legitimizing live-in children, it seeks to promote gender equality.