Quick answer
The Uttarakhand UCC Act 2024 is the Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand Act, 2024 (Act No. 3 of 2024). The Assembly passed it on 7 February 2024. Then the President gave assent on 11 March 2024. The Code came into force on 27 January 2025, along with the UCC Rules 2025. Thus Uttarakhand became the first State to implement a UCC after Independence. Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved amended Rules on 22 October 2026 (as on 29 October 2026).
Key facts at a glance
- Basis: Article 44 of the Constitution (Directive Principles of State Policy)
- Expert committee: Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai (retd SC); report on 2 February 2024
- Act: Act No. 3 of 2024; passed 7 February 2024; assent 11 March 2024
- In force: 27 January 2025, with the UCC Rules 2025
- Covers: marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships
- Outside the Code: Scheduled Tribes and groups with customary rights protected under Part XXI
- Marriage age: 21 years for men, 18 years for women
- Latest step: amended Rules approved by the Cabinet on 22 October 2026 (as on 29 October 2026)
What the Uttarakhand UCC Act 2024 covers
The Code sets one law for marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships. It applies to all residents of the State, except Scheduled Tribes. Besides, Section 2 keeps out groups whose customary rights Part XXI protects.
Therefore, the table below sums up the main rules of the Uttarakhand UCC Act 2024 in one place.
| Area | Main rule |
|---|---|
| Marriage | Minimum age 21 for men and 18 for women; bigamy and polygamy prohibited; registration compulsory |
| Divorce | Covered by the same single law |
| Live-in relationships | Registration within one month; the Registrar informs parents if a partner is under 21 |
| Failure to register a live-in | Up to 3 months’ jail, or a fine up to ₹10,000, or both |
| Children | A child of a live-in relationship is legitimate; biological, adopted and surrogacy children are equal |
| Succession | Equal rights for sons and daughters |
| Delivery | Online UCC portal |
Timeline: from expert committee to amended Rules
The law moved through several clear stages. Therefore, learn the dates in order.
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| 27 May 2022 | Expert committee constituted |
| 2 February 2024 | Committee submits its report |
| 7 February 2024 | Bill passed |
| 11 March 2024 | President’s assent; Act No. 3 of 2024 |
| 27 January 2025 | Act and UCC Rules 2025 come into force |
| July 2025 | Amending Ordinance |
| January 2026 | Amending Ordinance |
| April 2026 | UCC (Amendment) Act 2026 notified |
| 22 October 2026 | Cabinet approves amended Rules |
Thus the Bill passed just five days after the report. However, the Code came into force only on 27 January 2025.
The Desai expert committee
Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, a retired Supreme Court judge, chaired the expert committee. Its other members were Permod Kohli, Shatrughan Singh, Prof. Surekha Dangwal and Manu Gaur. It was constituted on 27 May 2022.
It submitted its report on 2 February 2024. However, do not link her with the High Court of Uttarakhand. Its first woman Chief Justice was Ritu Bahri.
Constitutional basis: Article 44 and the Goa question
The UCC rests on Article 44 of the Constitution. Article 44 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Uttarakhand is the first State to implement a UCC after Independence. However, Goa has a common civil code inherited from Portuguese rule. So the words “after Independence” matter in every question.
For example, one 2025 paper rejected “first State of India to implement the UCC”. Yet the same paper accepted “first State to enact a UCC after Independence”. Therefore, read the qualifier first. The list of firsts of Uttarakhand polity also carries this record with the same caveat.
Who stays outside the Code
The Code does not apply to Scheduled Tribes. Uttarakhand has five Scheduled Tribes, declared in 1967. They are the Tharu, Jaunsari, Bhotiya, Buksa (Boksa) and Raji (Van Rawat).
Moreover, the Buksa and Raji are PVTGs. In addition, Section 2 excludes groups with customary rights protected under Part XXI. For the tribes’ areas, quotas and reserved seats, see reservation in Uttarakhand and key State laws.
Marriage and divorce rules
The Code fixes the minimum marriage age at 21 years for men and 18 years for women. Also, it prohibits bigamy and polygamy. In addition, registration of every marriage is compulsory.
Divorce also falls under the same single law. Thus the Uttarakhand UCC Act 2024 gives every covered resident one set of rules.
Live-in relationships under the UCC
The Code also sets clear rules for live-in relationships. First, the partners must register the relationship within one month. Second, if a partner is under 21, the Registrar informs the parents.
Failure to register is punishable. The penalty is up to 3 months’ jail, or a fine up to ₹10,000, or both. However, the law also protects the child, since a child of a live-in relationship is legitimate.
For example, UKPSC asked in 2025 how the Code affects live-in relationships. The answer was compulsory registration, not a ban.
Succession and children’s rights
In succession, therefore, sons and daughters get equal rights. Similarly, the Code treats biological, adopted and surrogacy children as equal. Besides, the Code works through an online UCC portal.
Amendments and the position in October 2026
Meanwhile, the Code has changed twice by Ordinance, in July 2025 and January 2026. Later, the UCC (Amendment) Act 2026 was notified in April 2026.
Finally, the Cabinet approved amended Rules on 22 October 2026. However, Cabinet approval is not notification. So treat the amended Rules as approved only (as on 29 October 2026).
Exam corner: common traps
- Goa caveat: Uttarakhand is first only “after Independence”. However, Goa has a Portuguese-era common civil code.
- Three dates: Bill passed 7 February 2024; assent 11 March 2024; in force 27 January 2025.
- Not all residents: Scheduled Tribes and Part XXI customary groups stay outside the Code.
- Desai vs Bahri: Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai chaired the UCC committee. However, Ritu Bahri was the High Court’s first woman CJ.
- Approved, not notified: the Cabinet only approved the amended Rules on 22 October 2026.
What UKPSC has asked
- How does the Uttarakhand UCC impact live-in relationships? It mandates couples to register their live-in relationships (UKPSC RO/ARO, Advocate General Office (Pre), 2025)
- (1) The UCC is described under Article 44. (2) Uttarakhand became the first State of India to implement the UCC. Which is correct? Only (1); statement 2 drops “after Independence”, and Goa has a Portuguese-era common civil code (UKPSC Combined Lower Sub. (Pre), 2025)
- Name the first State of India which enacted the UCC post Independence. Uttarakhand (UKPSC Combined Lower Sub. (Pre), 2025)
- Under the UCC Act 2024, match the marriage ages and the live-in registration time. Women 18; men 21; live-in within one month (UKPSC Uttarakhand High Court ARO Screening, 2026)
Revise in one page
Basis: Article 44 (DPSP). Desai committee: set up 27 May 2022; report 2 February 2024. Members: Permod Kohli, Shatrughan Singh, Surekha Dangwal, Manu Gaur. Act No. 3 of 2024: passed 7 February 2024; assent 11 March 2024. In force 27 January 2025, with UCC Rules 2025. First State to implement a UCC after Independence; Goa has a Portuguese-era code. Excludes STs and Part XXI customary groups (Section 2). Marriage: 21 men, 18 women; bigamy and polygamy banned; registration compulsory. Live-in: register within one month; parents informed if a partner is under 21. Penalty: up to 3 months, ₹10,000, or both. Child of live-in legitimate. Succession equal for sons and daughters. Amendments: Ordinances July 2025 and January 2026; Amendment Act April 2026; amended Rules Cabinet-approved 22 October 2026.
In the news
- UCC at one year: 5 lakh applications, zero privacy complaints — reviews the Code’s first year in force.
- Devbhoomi Parivar Bill 2026: a family ID for Uttarakhand — a 2026 State Bill on a family ID, to read alongside the UCC.
Practise Uttarakhand Polity
- Daily 25 free practice questions — UKPSC previous-year questions, every morning.
- UKPSC previous year papers — bilingual PDFs of Upper PCS, Lower PCS, RO/ARO and more.
- UKPSC 2026 Prelims Test Series — full-length tests with detailed solutions.
Preparing for UKPSC Upper PCS, Lower PCS or RO/ARO? Join SAMVEG IAS, Dehradun. For batch details, call or WhatsApp +91 84759 04943.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand Act, 2024 came into force on 27 January 2025, along with the UCC Rules 2025. Thus Uttarakhand became the first State to implement a UCC after Independence.
Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, a retired Supreme Court judge, headed the committee. It dates from 27 May 2022 and gave its report on 2 February 2024.
No. Section 2 keeps Scheduled Tribes, and groups with customary rights protected under Part XXI, outside the Code.
The minimum marriage age is 21 years for men and 18 years for women. The Code also prohibits bigamy and polygamy.
Partners must register a live-in relationship within one month. Failure can bring jail of up to 3 months, a fine of up to 10,000 rupees, or both.
Uttarakhand is the first State to implement a UCC after Independence. However, Goa has a common civil code inherited from Portuguese rule.
Facts as on 29 October 2026. Sources: Lok Bhavan (Raj Bhavan) Uttarakhand, High Court of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, Election Commission of India, State departments, India Code and PIB.