Dehradun: Following the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), marriage registrations in Uttarakhand have increased 24-fold. The UCC has increased awareness among people about registering their marriages.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand became the first state in the country to implement the UCC. During the 2022 assembly elections, the BJP had pledged to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand, and upon coming to power, they fulfilled this promise.
CM Dhami decided to implement the UCC in the state in the very first cabinet meeting. After completing all formalities and conducting public consultations, the UCC law was implemented in the state from January 27, 2025.
The Chief Minister’s historic decision is a bold step towards social justice, gender equality, and equal rights. This law is in line with the spirit of Article 44 of the Indian Constitution and aims to provide equal rights and respect to all citizens of every class or community, especially women. Marriage, divorce, inheritance, live-in relationships, and related issues are included in the UCC.
This law has fixed the marriage age for both men and women. Strict provisions have also been made for divorce and other procedures across all religions. With the implementation of this law, women have been freed from social evils like polygamy and triple talaq.
After the implementation of the UCC, there has been a surge in marriage registrations in the state. According to the data, after the implementation of the UCC in the state from January 27, 2025, the number of marriage registrations reached more than three lakh by July 25, i.e., in a period of six months, while under the old act implemented in 2010, a total of more than 3.30 lakh marriage registrations were done until January 26, 2025. If we look at the daily average, the average number of marriage registrations per day under the old act was only 67, which has increased to 1634 after the implementation of the UCC. Implementing the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand is a historic and courageous decision by the state government. The UCC is not aimed against any community, but rather at providing equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal respect to all citizens. The unprecedented increase in marriage registrations shows that the public has accepted this law and views it as a social reform. The state has set a new direction for the entire country, and I am confident that other states will also adopt this model in the future.
-Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister
