Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has implemented the Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 after receiving the Governor’s approval for necessary amendments to the Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024. This ordinance has been issued by Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh (Retd.) under Article 213 of the Constitution. It has come into effect immediately.
It is worth noting that the Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 was implemented in Uttarakhand on January 27, 2025. Tomorrow, January 27, 2026, will mark one year since the implementation of the UCC in Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand government is also celebrating this day as UCC Day. Several programs will be organized across the state on this occasion. After the implementation of this law, amendments have been made from time to time to address existing shortcomings in the law and to adapt to changing circumstances.
Last year, in August 2025, some amendments were made to the UCC, which were sent to the Raj Bhavan (Governor’s House) for approval, but there were some technical flaws in the proposal, due to which the Raj Bhavan returned the UCC amendment proposal on December 18, 2025. After rectifying those shortcomings, the UCC amendment proposal was presented before the cabinet on January 15, which approved the necessary amendments through an ordinance. This amendment proposal was sent to the Raj Bhavan by the Department of Religious Affairs and Culture for the Governor’s approval. Today, January 26, the Governor has given his assent to the UCC amendment proposal.
The following key points have been implemented after the amendment:
- The Indian Civil Security Code, 2023, and the Indian Penal Code, 2023, have been implemented in place of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, for punitive provisions.
- Under Section 12, the “Additional Secretary” has been designated as the competent authority in place of the “Secretary”. • A provision has been made for the case to be automatically forwarded to the Registrar and Registrar General if the Sub-Registrar fails to take action within the stipulated time frame.
- The right to appeal against the penalty imposed on the Sub-Registrar has been granted, and a provision has been added for the recovery of the penalty as arrears of land revenue.
- Misrepresentation of identity at the time of marriage has been made a ground for annulment of marriage.
- Strict penal provisions have been ensured for the use of force, coercion, fraud, or unlawful acts in marriage and live-in relationships.
- A provision has been made for the Registrar to issue a certificate of termination upon the termination of a live-in relationship.
- The word “widow” has been replaced with the word “spouse” in Schedule-2.
- The power to cancel the registration of marriage, divorce, live-in relationships, and inheritance has been granted to the Registrar General.
