Are live-in relationships legal in India As I mentioned, live-in relationships are not legally recognized as a valid union in India. However, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the right of consenting adults to cohabit without marriage, as part of their fundamental right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution of India . The Supreme Court has also laid down some guidelines to determine whether a live-in relationship can be considered as a relationship in the nature of marriage, which may entitle the partners to certain rights and obligations under the law. Therefore, live-in relationships are not illegal in India, but they are not legally protected either. The legal status of such relationships depends on the facts and circumstances of each case, and the interpretation of the courts. There is no clear and uniform law that governs live-in relationships in India