January 20, 2025: The Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Cabinet has taken a historic step by approving the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) manual during a meeting at the state secretariat on Monday. While the exact dates for implementation remain undisclosed, this move brings Uttarakhand closer to becoming the first Indian state to enact a UCC.

The Cabinet granted its approval after incorporating partial amendments to the rules recently prepared for the UCC's implementation. These amendments, reviewed by the Law Department, were finalised in the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Addressing the media, Chief Minister Dhami highlighted the state government's commitment to delivering on its electoral promise. "We had assured the people of Uttarakhand during the 2022 elections that the UCC would be implemented as soon as our government was formed. The draft was prepared by an expert committee, passed by the Assembly, and approved by the President to become an Act. The training process for its implementation is now nearly complete," Dhami said.

He also underscored the significance of Uttarakhand setting a national precedent by introducing the UCC. "As the first state to implement this law, we are ensuring a thorough examination of its provisions and preparing diligently for its roll-out," he added.

The UCC aims to establish a unified legal framework for all religious communities, covering aspects like marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and maintenance. India currently lacks a uniform civil law framework, despite having a uniform criminal code. The UCC explicitly excludes tribal communities and prohibits practices such as 'halala,' 'iddat,' and 'talaq,' prevalent under the Muslim Personal Law.

The comprehensive UCC comprises 392 sections across seven schedules and is detailed in a 750-page draft spanning four volumes. This draft was prepared by a five-member expert committee, chaired by Retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, and submitted to the state government on February 2, 2024.

The draft received swift approval from the State Cabinet on February 4 and was subsequently passed by the Assembly during a special session. It was signed into law by Uttarakhand Governor Lt. Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) on February 28, 2024, marking a landmark moment in India's legal history.

The implementation of the UCC is expected to have far-reaching implications, sparking discussions nationwide about the uniformity of personal laws across the country.