Uttarakhand plans to bring in a Uniform Civil Code, which aims at establishing common civil laws. The provisions in the draft bill are as follows
A complete ban on polygamy across religions. Current exemptions, notably for Muslim marriages, will be removed.
Increase and standardise marriageable age for girls across all faiths. Fix marriageable age for men across religions.
Bill would make halala, iddat and triple talaq (Islamic practices governing divorce and remarriage of women) punishable offences.
Uniform process for divorce aimed at fostering gender equality. Simplified adoption rights to everyone, including Muslim women.
Equal property rights for sons and daughters, legitimate and illegitimate children, adopted and biologically born children.
Couples failing to register their marriages will be ineligible for government facilities.
Live-in relationships can be declared and registered under law.
Scheduled Tribes constituting 3% of Uttarakhand's population will not come under the proposed law.
If implemented, Uttarakhand would become the first state to adopt a Uniform Civil Code after independence.