One Year of Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code: 4.7 Lakh Marriages Registered, 68 Live-in Relationships, Key Amendments Introduced

Dehradun: Uttarakhand has completed one year since the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), marking a significant milestone in the state’s legal and social reforms. The state government has now introduced several amendments through the Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, aimed at strengthening safeguards against forced marriages, fraud, and other violations in marital and live-in relationships. The ordinance, approved by Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmeet Singh (Retd.), came into immediate effect.

Milestones Achieved in the First Year
Since its implementation on January 27, 2025, Uttarakhand has registered approximately 4.7 lakh marriages under the UCC. Additionally, 68 couples have registered their live-in relationships, while two couples have applied for termination of their live-in relationship, for which certificates have been issued.

Key Amendments and Changes
The 2026 amendment brings about nearly a dozen significant changes:

• Replacement of CRPC provisions with the Indian Civil Security Code-2023 and Indian Justice Code-2023 for enforcement and penalties.
• Empowering the Additional Secretary as the competent authority instead of the Secretary.
• Provision for issuance of termination certificates by registrars for dissolved live-in relationships and changing the term ‘widow’ to ‘spouse’.
• Authorizing the Registrar General to cancel registrations related to marriage, divorce, live-in relationships, and inheritance if the sub-registrar fails to act within prescribed timelines.
• Introduction of strict penalties for forced, fraudulent, or unlawful activities in marriages and live-in partnerships.
• Legal recourse for appealing penalties imposed on sub-registrars and collection of fines as land revenue.
• Provision for annulment of marriages in case of misrepresentation during registration.

CM Dhami Highlights UCC’s Impact
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami celebrated the first anniversary of UCC, emphasizing that the government has fulfilled its electoral promise by implementing the code on January 27, 2025. He stated that initial misconceptions around UCC have been dispelled and that opposition efforts to undermine the law have failed. CM Dhami expressed confidence that Uttarakhand’s UCC model will serve as a benchmark across the country, congratulating citizens for supporting the state government’s vision under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.