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On February 4, 2025, the Gujarat government announced the formation of a five-member committee tasked with preparing a draft for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The committee will be chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel shared the news at a press conference, stating that the committee will present its report to the state government within 45 days. Based on the report, the government will make its decisions regarding the implementation of the UCC.
"The UCC will ensure equal rights and opportunities for all, aligning with the broader vision of a Common Civil Code for the nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," said Patel. He emphasized that the UCC would support fulfilling the promises made through actions like the revocation of Article 370 and the abolition of Triple Talaq.
Other members of the committee include retired IAS officer CL Meena, advocate RC Kodekar, educationist Daxesh Thakar, and social worker Gita Shroff.
This move follows Uttarakhand’s recent implementation of the UCC, making it the first state in India to do so. Uttarakhand’s UCC, enacted on January 27, 2025, applies to all residents regardless of religion, aiming to simplify legal processes related to marriage and promote social harmony. It also bans practices like polygamy and child marriage.
The UCC in Uttarakhand defines marriage eligibility criteria, including the legal marriage age (21 for men and 18 for women), the requirement for both parties to be mentally sound and consent to marriage, and the compulsory registration of marriages within 60 days. The Act also allows a six-month window for marriages that occurred after March 26, 2010, to be registered.
Deep Karia is the Director at Legalspace, a pioneering LegalTech startup that is reshaping the Indian legal ecosystem through innovative AI-driven solutions. With a robust background in technology and business management, Deep brings a wealth of experience to his role, focusing on enhancing legal research, automating document workflows, and developing cloud-based legal services. His commitment to leveraging technology to improve legal practices empowers legal professionals to work more efficiently and effectively.