Uttarakhand on Monday, January 26, brought into force an amendment ordinance to its Uniform Civil Code, introducing nearly 18 modifications including tougher penalties for fraud and coercion in marriages and live-in relationships, exactly a year after becoming the first state in independent India to enforce the UCC.
The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, took effect immediately after Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh (retd) granted assent under Article 213 of the Constitution. Officials said the changes aim to enhance clarity, effectiveness and practicality of the law while improving administrative processes and safeguarding citizens’ rights.
Among the significant changes, falsely presenting one’s identity during marriage will now serve as valid grounds to annul the union. The ordinance also prescribes strict punishment for those who use force, deception or illegal methods in marriages and live-in relationships.
Registrars will now have authority to issue termination certificates when live-in relationships end. The law has also adopted gender-neutral language by substituting “spouse” for “widow” in Schedule-2 of the Act.
The Registrar General has been vested with powers to revoke registrations related to marriage, divorce, live-in relationships and succession. To prevent delays, matters will automatically move to higher authorities if Sub-Registrars fail to act within prescribed deadlines.
The ordinance brings the law in line with recent legislative changes by incorporating the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in place of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and adopting the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for criminal provisions. These new codes replaced the IPC and CrPC from July 1, 2024.
Administrative changes include designating the Additional Secretary as the competent authority under Section 12, replacing the earlier provision for Secretary. Citizens can now appeal penalties imposed on Sub-Registrars, which can be recovered as land revenue arrears.
The UCC’s impact on marriage registration has been dramatic. The earlier system under the Uttarakhand Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act, 2010, operated offline and mandated physical presence of both parties and two witnesses at the Sub-Registrar’s office. The new regime allows online completion of nearly all registrations, with applicants able to submit documents and video statements remotely.
By January 19, the state had processed 4,74,447 marriage registrations in under a year since implementation. Daily registrations averaged around 1,400, a sharp increase from 67 per day under the previous system.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said Uttarakhand has shown the way for other states by implementing the Uniform Civil Code. “The transparency and simplicity with which the provisions of the UCC have been implemented over the past year have strengthened public trust in the process. This is why many people are now opting to register under the UCC. The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code has proved to be a model law in every respect,” he said.
The state marked January 27 as “UCC Day” to commemorate one year of implementation. Awareness drives were organised in cities and villages to educate people about the law. The registration system offers AI-powered support and operates in 23 languages, covering the 22 languages in the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule plus English.
