Ashok Abhaiendra Desai served as the first Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court upon its establishment in 2001.

Upon its formation on November 9, 2000, the state was named Uttaranchal. It was officially renamed Uttarakhand in 2007 to reflect local sentiments.

The Uttarakhand High Court was established in Nainital in 2001, following the formation of the state in November 2000.

The 'Mahila Sarathi Yojana' is an initiative by the Uttarakhand government aimed at empowering women by facilitating self-employment opportunities. Under this scheme, women from economically weaker sections receive a 50% subsidy on the purchase of two-wheelers and four-wheelers. The remaining 50% is provided as a loan, enabling beneficiaries to start their own transport-related businesses.

In response to escalating border tensions with Pakistan, the Uttarakhand government placed all state hospitals on high alert as a precautionary measure. Authorities prepared 12,000 beds, including intensive care units (ICUs), to handle any potential medical emergencies. Additionally, all hospital personnel had their leaves canceled to ensure full staffing in anticipation of increased demand on the healthcare system

In March 2025, the Uttarakhand government announced plans to develop the Ganga and Sharda river corridors. This initiative aims to enhance facilities for pilgrims and boost religious tourism by improving infrastructure along these sacred rivers.

In January 2025, Uttarakhand became the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) post-independence. This legal reform aims to provide a common set of laws governing personal matters for all citizens, irrespective of religion.

The Lal Kuan Forest Research Centre in Uttarakhand has developed North India's first nursery dedicated to gum-yielding plant species. This initiative aims to conserve and promote the cultivation of these species, which are vital for ecological balance and have significant economic value.

Uttarakhand experienced an unprecedented 490% excess rainfall in a 24-hour period between Sunday and Monday morning. This extreme weather event triggered a landslide at the popular tourist location, Kempty Falls in Mussoorie, causing disruptions and raising safety concerns.

On May 8, 2025, a tragic helicopter crash occurred near Gangnani along the Gangotri route in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. The helicopter was carrying pilgrims participating in the Char Dham Yatra. The crash resulted in the deaths of six individuals, while one passenger sustained serious injuries.

In response to rising border tensions with Pakistan, the Uttarakhand government placed all state hospitals on high alert. Authorities prepared 12,000 beds, including intensive care units (ICUs), to handle any potential medical emergencies. Additionally, all hospital personnel had their leaves canceled to ensure full staffing.

Between March 1 and May 13, 2025, Uttarakhand received 139.3 mm of rainfall, which is a 15% increase over the normal 120.7 mm for this period. This surplus rainfall helped in keeping the temperatures cooler and prevented typical heatwave conditions.

The Harit Yuva Mission aims to provide skill training in eco-tourism, organic farming, waste management, and green entrepreneurship for youth in the hill regions.

The Himalayan Musk Deer faces habitat loss and poaching threats. The IUCN upgraded its status to "Endangered" in 2025, pushing for stronger conservation efforts in protected zones of Uttarakhand.

Jageshwar Temple in Almora district, known for its ancient architecture, was included in the PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme to enhance tourism and religious infrastructure.

The Tanakpur–Almora Highway project was inaugurated to significantly reduce travel time between Kumaon and Garhwal, promoting tourism and economic activity in remote hill areas.

HNBGU, based in Srinagar (Garhwal), launched India’s first dedicated Himalayan Climate Research Institute to study climate change, glacial retreat, and ecological degradation in the Himalayan region, supported by the Ministry of Environment.

Project Akash Ganga focuses on rejuvenating dried-up rivers and streams using decentralized rainwater harvesting systems. It's part of the broader water conservation strategy to tackle glacier retreat and seasonal water shortages.

The Devdarshan RFID System was introduced to manage the large pilgrim influx during Char Dham Yatra. Pilgrims wear RFID-enabled cards for tracking, crowd control, and emergency response across the four shrines — Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

The Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2025 was held in Dehradun to attract investment in green energy, tourism, and infrastructure. It featured participation from international investors and highlighted the state's potential in eco-tourism and hydropower.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) partnered with the Uttarakhand Forest Department to provide drone technology and AI-based surveillance to tackle increasing incidents of forest fires, especially during the dry season.

The Ganga Riverfront Development in Rishikesh received a significant boost as part of the central government's Smart Cities and Namami Gange projects. It includes beautification, ghats development, and tourism infrastructure.

The Himalayan Eco-Trail was launched to boost eco-friendly tourism by developing trekking routes, promoting local culture, and reducing environmental impact. It focuses on sustainable travel in hill districts like Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Pithoragarh.

A new helipad was inaugurated at Kedarnath Temple in 2025 to provide easy access for pilgrims, especially those with physical limitations. The government also increased helicopter frequency to reduce trekking time, making the temple more accessible for visitors.

The Affordable Housing for Migrants Scheme was launched in 2025 to provide affordable housing for migrants returning to Uttarakhand. The aim is to accommodate thousands of workers and families who had previously migrated to urban areas due to the lack of opportunities in their home regions.

The Van Panchayat Shakti Yojana is designed to empower community-managed forest institutions, or Van Panchayats, by providing training, financial support, and infrastructure. This initiative aims to promote sustainable livelihoods through forest-based resources while ensuring forest conservation.

The Hill Resorts Development Scheme aims to establish eco-friendly resorts in remote hilly areas to promote hill tourism, create employment, and reduce the migration of people from these areas. The resorts will be built with modern facilities while preserving ecological balance.

In 2025, Valley of Flowers National Park was added to the UNESCO tentative list as a World Heritage site. This recognition aims to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism. The park is home to a vast variety of endemic alpine flowers and endangered species.