Article
Uniform Civil Code: A Comparative Constitutional Study of India and Global Jurisdictions with a Special Focus on Uttarakhand’s Legal Framework
The concept of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) remains one of the most debated legal and constitutional questions in India, juxtaposing the principles of secularism, equality, and legal pluralism. [1]This research undertakes a comparative constitutional analysis of the UCC by examining the legal structures and implementation strategies of countries that have adopted uniform civil laws such as France, Turkey, and the United States alongside India’s constitutional provisions under Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy. The paper critically evaluates how these international legal systems balance civil uniformity with cultural diversity and individual rights. Special emphasis is laid on the Indian state of Uttarakhand, which has emerged as the first in post-independence India to draft and adopt a UCC at the state level. The study explores the legal architecture, procedural challenges, and constitutional validity of Uttarakhand’s approach within the federal framework of India. By mapping global best practices and identifying key jurisprudential conflicts, the paper offers a nuanced understanding of the feasibility, legal sustainability, and socio-constitutional implications of implementing a UCC in a diverse democracy like India.