Uttarakhand made history on Monday (January 27) by becoming the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Shortly after its official announcement, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched an online portal, ucc.uk.gov.in, enabling residents to access services under the new law.

"The UCC ensures equal laws for all citizens, regardless of religion, marking a historic step for justice and equality. This achievement is credited to the people of Uttarakhand," said CM Dhami during a ceremony to release the UCC notification.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the UCC would eliminate discriminatory practices, particularly against women, across all religions. Implementing the UCC fulfills a key BJP poll promise from the 2022 state elections.

The journey toward the UCC began with Dhami’s first cabinet meeting, which approved the formation of an expert committee on May 27, 2022. The draft UCC was submitted on February 2, 2024, and swiftly passed by the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly on February 7. Following a month-long review, President Droupadi Murmu granted her assent.

Residents of Uttarakhand can now access the UCC portal for detailed guidelines and services, marking a landmark step in legal reform and governance.