Context:
Recently, the Uttarakhand government launched the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), with the Chief Minister inaugurating the rules manual and a new application portal.
- The Uniform Civil Code Rules of Uttarakhand, 2025 establish a unified legal framework for marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and succession, promoting equality, fairness, and streamlined governance for all citizens, regardless of religion or community.
- The UCC Bill was passed on February 7, 2024, and notified on March 12, 2024, after presidential assent.
- A new portal has been launched to simplify the registration process for UCC services, aiming to provide easy access, transparency, and equal opportunities for all citizens.
- Features of Portal
- The UCC portal features Aadhaar-based verification, and AI translation in 22 languages, and integrates data from over 13 departments.
- The system is cloud-based with disaster recovery support.
- It offers online registration for services like birth and death registrations, live-in relationship terminations, and testamentary succession.
- In testamentary succession, wills can be uploaded on the portal for online registration, modification, revalidation, or revival.
- To assist citizens, Common Service Centres (CSCs) will offer door-to-door services in remote areas.
- Village Panchayat Development Officers have been appointed as sub-registrars to provide registration services at the local level, ensuring easier access in rural areas.