ET World Leaders Forum 2026: Uttarakhand’s UCC model is inspiring other states, says CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the state's Uniform Civil Code (UCC) model is now being adopted by other states, highlighting Uttarakhand's position as the first state in the country to implement a common civil code.

Uttarakhand's UCC, implemented in 2024, replaced separate personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance and live-in relationships with a common framework. Dhami has maintained that the law is aimed at ensuring equality and reducing discrimination against women.

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The UCC push has since gathered momentum in other states. Madhya Pradesh has passed its own UCC Bill, which seeks uniform civil laws across faiths and mandates registration of live-in relationships. The legislation was passed by the state Assembly on July 21 and has been reserved for President Droupadi Murmu's assent. The Bill also exempts the state's tribal population to protect their customs and way of life.

Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, Dhami also highlighted Uttarakhand's development indicators, saying the state ranks No. 1 among Himalayan states and 11th nationally on the Sustainable Development Goals.

He pitched Uttarakhand as an investment and tourism destination, pointing to the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, all-weather Char Dham roads and the upcoming Hemkund Sahib ropeway. He also said visitors to Adi Kailash have increased sharply from around 500–600 earlier to 57,000 this year.