With Uttarakhand implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) starting today, it becomes the first state in the country to enforce this controversial policy. Under the UCC, the state will adopt specific restrictions and bans outlined in the policy. From food habits to marriage, here is a list of the dos and don’ts now in place in Uttarakhand.

Here Are The Changes Set To Take Place In Uttarakhand

• Halala Food Prohibited: UCC mandates a ban on Halala food across all communities
• Marriage Registration: Marriages must be registered within 2 months
• Legal Marriage Age: The UCC sets the legal marriage age at 21 for men and 18 for women
• Uniform Marriage Procedures: Introduces uniform grounds and procedures for marriage
• Marriage Rituals: Marriages can be performed under religious customs or legal provisions, but registration must occur within 60 days
• Live-in Relationships: Registration of live-in relationships will be mandatory for legal recognition and protection

What Happens to Marriages Before 2010?

Marriages conducted before March 26, 2010, or outside Uttarakhand, may be registered within 180 days of the Act coming into effect, although this is not a mandatory requirement. Any soldier, air force personnel involved in an expedition or active warfare, or a mariner at sea, may create a ‘privileged will,’ with flexible rules in place for such cases. The marriage age of girls will be the same, irrespective of their caste or religion. Children will get the right to adopt in all religions. However, a child of another religion cannot be adopted. However, a child of another religion cannot be adopted.

Registration of live-in relationship will also be mandatory for couples. The child born during this period will also get rights like the child of a married couple. Scheduled tribes have been excluded from the rules and regulations of UCC. No changes have been made in transgender, worship system and traditions.

Special Arrangements For The Armed Forces

The UCC includes special provisions for the armed forces. If a soldier, airman, or naval officer is on a special mission, they are allowed to create a privileged will. Even if the will is handwritten without a signature or witness, it will still be valid as long as it can be confirmed that the handwriting belongs to the individual soldier. This ensures that service members can make legal arrangements in situations where traditional will requirements might not be possible.

Divorce Under Uttarakhand UCC

Under the UCC, the grounds for divorce are the same for both husbands and wives. This means that both the husband can file for divorce, and the wife can also request a divorce on the same grounds. Alimony and the other rules will be as per the Indian law. There will be a uniform law of divorce for a person of any caste, religion or sect. No changes have been made in transgender, worship system and traditions.