- Goa government has decided to amend the Portuguese-era Uniform Civil Code(UCC).
- The amendment would allow overseas citizens of India(OCIs) card holders and people outside Goa to their register their marriage under the uniform civil code.
- Goa was a former Portuguese colony.It was annexed into the Union of India in 1961.In 1987,Goa was made a separate state.
- The UCC was introduced by the erstwhile Portuguese rulers.It was retained even after the territory was merged with India in the year 1961.
- It is the only state in the country which has a uniform civil code.Currently, the registration of marriage of non-Goans is banned in Goa.
- Uniform civil code is also an ongoing debate in the country.It seeks to replace personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each major religious community in India with a common set of rules governing every citizen.
- Article 44 of the Constitution says that there should be a Uniform Civil Code.According to this article,the State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.
