DEHRADUN (Uttarakhand) — Uttarakhand has officially entered a new phase of legal governance as the state government implemented the Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. Following the formal approval of Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Gurmit Singh, the ordinance came into force with immediate effect on Republic Day.
Promulgated under Article 213 of the Constitution, the 2026 amendment introduces significant procedural, administrative, and penal shifts. These changes aim to tighten the implementation of the UCC while aligning the state’s legal framework with the newly enacted national criminal laws.
Integration with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
A cornerstone of this amendment is the synchronization of the UCC with India’s modernized criminal justice system.
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Penal Provisions: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 now replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for all penal matters under the UCC.
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Procedural Law: The Indian Civil Security Code, 2023 has officially substituted the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973.
Zero Tolerance for Identity Fraud in Marriage
The amendment significantly strengthens the protection of individuals in domestic unions. Under the new rules:
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Identity Misrepresentation: Concealing or falsifying one’s identity at the time of marriage is now a definitive ground for annulment.
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Stringent Penalties: Law enforcement has been granted broader powers to prosecute cases involving coercion, fraud, or unlawful activities within both marriages and live-in relationships.
Efficiency in Live-In Relationship Registration
To streamline the oversight of live-in relationships, the ordinance introduces a structured exit process. The Registrar is now mandated to issue a Termination Certificate upon the formal dissolution of a live-in relationship, providing legal clarity to both parties.
Administrative Reforms and Accountability
The government has introduced “fail-safe” mechanisms to ensure bureaucratic accountability:
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Automatic Escalation: If a Sub-Registrar fails to act on a filing within the prescribed time limit, the case will now be automatically forwarded to the Registrar and Registrar General.
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Spousal Terminology: In a move toward modernizing legal language, the term “widow” in Schedule-II has been replaced with the more inclusive term “spouse.”
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Appellate Rights: Sub-Registrars now have the right to appeal penalties imposed on them, while unrecovered penalties will be treated as arrears of land revenue.
“The objective is to make the Uniform Civil Code clearer and more practical, ensuring better protection of citizens’ rights while strengthening administrative efficiency,” stated a government official.
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