Live-In Relationships
Legal Status and the Regulatory Turn
Indian courts have progressively extended legal recognition to live-in relationships. In S. Khushboo v. Kanniammal (2010), the Supreme Court held that live-in relationships between consenting adults are not illegal. In Indra Sarma v. V.K.V. Sarma (2013), the Court examined criteria for a "relationship in the nature of marriage." The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (Section 2(f)) already extends protection to women in "relationships in the nature of marriage."
The Gujarat Bill goes further by mandating compulsory registration of live-in relationships (Clause 384), requiring partners to submit a statement to the Registrar in their jurisdiction, and granting children born of such unions legitimate status.
- Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (Section 2(f)): Defines "domestic relationship" to include live-in relationships "in the nature of marriage"
- S. Khushboo v. Kanniammal (2010): Live-in relationships between consenting adults are not illegal
- Indra Sarma v. V.K.V. Sarma (2013): Criteria for identifying "relationship in the nature of marriage"
- Gujarat Bill Clause 384: Compulsory registration of live-in relationships
- Uttarakhand UCC also mandates registration of live-in relationships and penalises non-compliance
● Tracked since March 24, 2026 · last seen July 19, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes