Live-in Relationships in India: 5 Key Legal Rights & Powerful Social Acceptance Facts

Over recent times, societal values have changed a lot in India. Especially the younger population who are residing in urban and semi-urban regions, are moving towards live-in relationships instead of being married. In these kind of relationships, two individuals with their consent live together in a relationship resembling marriage without performing marriage ceremony.

While live-in relationships are more common in Western societies, but in India it has raised critical questions regarding legal recognition, moral legitimacy, and societal acceptance.

Understanding Live-in Relationships

Meaning of live-in relationship – It is a kind of domestic arrangement wherein a couple cohabits without being legally married. It does not require rituals, registration, or formal legal procedures as compared to marriage. It includes the consent of the partners.

In India, there is no codified statute that expressly defines or governs live-in relationships, the judiciary has played a crucial role in understanding their legal status and protecting the rights of individuals involved in such arrangements.

Judicial Recognition and Legal Status

Over time, the Indian courts have taken more progressive view on live-in relationships, particularly from the point of view of individual liberty under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution (Right to Life and Personal Liberty). In many landmark cases, the courts have upheld that two adults who have given their consent, have the right to live together without interference of society or their family.

Key Judicial Pronouncements:

  1. S. Khushboo v. Kanniammal (2010):
    In this case, the Supreme Court held that live-in relationships are legal or moral per se and fall within the ambit of personal liberty under Article 21.
  2. Lata Singh v. State of U.P. (2006):
    The Court observed that a woman who is not minor is free to marry or live with anyone of her will, and interference by third person (including family) is unjustified.
  3. Indra Sarma v. V.K.V. Sarma (2013):
    In this case, the Supreme Court laid down the guidelines to determine whether a live-in relationship qualifies for protection under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA). The court pointed out the need to distinguish between a casual relationship and one that resembles marriage in substance and stability.
  4. D. Velusamy v. D. Patchaiammal (2010):
    The Court held that live-in relationships that are “in the nature of marriage” would entitle women to claim maintenance under the Domestic Violence Act.

Rights of Partners and Children Born Out of Live-in Relationships

Under certain conditions, a female partner in a live-in relationship may be entitled to:

  • Maintenance under the Domestic Violence Act
  • Protection from abuse
  • Right to residence in the shared household

Also, the Supreme Court has recognized that children born out of such relationships are considered legitimate for certain legal purposes. In case of Tulsa v. Durghatiya (2008), it was held by the court that children born to couples living together for a long time would not be considered illegitimate.

Although, inheritance rights under Hindu Succession Law are still open to interpretation and largely depend on whether the relationship satisfies conditions similar to marriage.

Societal Acceptance: Between Tradition and Transition

Even though the judiciary support it, but still live-in relationships have not gained much social acceptance in India. Deep-rooted cultural rules and regulations, religious sentiments, and the sacredness associated with marriage have led people to think that live-in relationships are part of western culture.

In rural areas, such relationships are mostly not accepted by the people. Even in urban areas, couples living together without being married often face hardships in renting accommodation due to moral policing by landlords or neighbours.

Although, those persons who are educated and have broad minded, prioritize self-determination, compatibility, and freedom over traditional norms. For them, a live-in relationship is a way to explore long-term compatibility without the instant pressures of legal commitment towards their partners.

Conclusion

Live-in relationships, though still a topic of debate in Indian society, are gaining judicial support and legality in law. However, only legal recognition is not sufficient. Until the society changes its mindset, people who live together without marriage, will have to face societal criticism and mental pressure.

In democratic countries like India, where constitution guarantees freedom and dignity of every citizen, it is important for society to move in line with the law and respect personal choices.


Author(s) Name: Tamanna (Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Jhanjeri, Mohali – Punjab)

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NUJS National Disability Law Moot 2025 – India’s 1st Moot on Disability Rights

NUJS National Disability Law Moot 2025 – A Historic Step Toward Inclusive Legal Advocacy

The NUJS National Disability Law Moot 2025 is India’s first national-level moot court competition dedicated solely to the legal rights of persons with disabilities (PwDs). Organized by the prestigious West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata, this competition sets a new precedent in legal education by focusing exclusively on disability law.

With a history of hosting top-tier events such as the NUJS-HSF Moot, ADR Mediation Competition, and Para-Invicta, NUJS continues its tradition of promoting inclusivity and justice with this pioneering initiative.

What Is the NUJS National Disability Law Moot 2025 About?

This moot is designed to:

  • Encourage legal scholarship in disability law
  • Highlight critical themes like workplace discrimination, inclusive education, and accessibility
  • Create a national platform for future legal professionals to explore and argue real-world issues under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

The competition includes:

  • Memorial Qualification Round
  • Offline Oral Rounds at the WBNUJS campus in Kolkata
  • Researcher’s Test for qualifying teams

Key Dates and Deadlines

EventDate
Registration OpensMay 30, 2025
Clarification DeadlineJune 25, 2025
Registration ClosesJune 30, 2025
Memorial SubmissionJuly 12, 2025
Oral Round ShortlistJuly 21, 2025
Oral Rounds at WBNUJSAugust 21–24, 2025

Eligibility & Team Composition

  • Open to undergraduate law students in any Indian university
  • 2 to 3 members per team
  • Cross-college teams allowed
  • No cap on the number of teams per institution
  • Postgraduate students are not eligible

Awards & Recognition

The NUJS National Disability Law Moot 2025 offers extensive awards, including:

  • Winning, Runners-Up & Second Runners-Up Teams
  • Best Advocate (Prelims and Overall)
  • Best Memorials (Petitioner & Respondent)
  • Best Researcher & Runner-Up
  • Certificates for Semi- and Quarter-Finalists
  • Participation certificates for all teams

Registration Fees & Optional Accommodation

  • Memo Round Fee: ₹2,500/team
    • ₹2,100 for teams with at least one PwD participant
  • Oral Round Fee (for shortlisted teams): ₹2,000
  • Accommodation (optional): ₹5,500/team (August 21–24)

Payment Details:

  • Account Name: Student Juridical Association
  • Account No: 520101246976299
  • IFSC Code: UBIN0906638
  • Bank: Union Bank, NUJS Branch, Salt Lake, Kolkata

Registration Process

  1. Fill the official Google Form: https://forms.gle/sZHKXriWTy4EEfGL8
  2. Email the following to nationaldisabilitymoot@nujs.edu:
    • Names, Years, and Institutions of team members
    • College ID Cards
    • Payment screenshot

Contact Details

  • Email: nationaldisabilitymoot@nujs.edu
  • Chair: Kinjal Das – +91 75959 65675
  • Deputy Chairs:
    • Anushka Maji – +91 86174 78308
    • Saarthak Samadder – +91 94330 48880
  • Board of Directors:
    • Ritika Amlajiya – +91 80943 45186
    • Shubhankar Singha – +91 96797 30493

Final Words

The NUJS National Disability Law Moot 2025 is not just another moot—it’s a platform for change. By promoting awareness of the challenges faced by PwDs through legal debate, WBNUJS is nurturing future lawyers who will lead the way in accessibility and justice.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of history. Register today and join us in Kolkata for a groundbreaking legal experience.


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1-Month Paid Legal Internship by Department of Legal Affairs – Apply by June 11

The Department of Legal Affairs, under the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, is inviting applications for its prestigious 1-month paid legal internship program. This opportunity is designed for 50 law students and recent graduates to gain valuable experience working directly with legal professionals and policy advisors in a real government environment.

The internship will take place across five major Indian cities — New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru — providing regional access to students from different parts of the country. The program aims to expose interns to legal research, drafting, and the inner workings of legal advisory processes within the government.

This is an ideal opportunity for aspiring legal professionals who want to understand the scope of legal work in the public sector, particularly in legislative matters and legal advisory services.


Internship Overview

  • Duration: 1 month
  • Type: Paid internship
  • Stipend: Amount not officially specified, but remuneration is provided
  • Cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru
  • Total Positions Available: 50
  • Application Deadline: June 11, 2025

Interns will be placed in different divisions of the Department of Legal Affairs and work on tasks involving legal documentation, analysis of statutes, and support in ongoing legal affairs managed by the Ministry.


Who Can Apply?

Eligible candidates include:

  • Law students enrolled in the 2nd year or above of a 5-year integrated LLB program.
  • Final-year students pursuing a 3-year LLB degree.
  • LLM students and law graduates who have completed their course and are not currently employed full-time.

Applicants must have a strong academic background and a keen interest in public legal policy, constitutional law, and statutory interpretation. This internship is particularly valuable for those looking to work in the field of legislative drafting, legal advisory, or government law services.


Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

  1. Updated resume/CV with academic and contact details.
  2. A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their college or university, stating:
    • The applicant is a bonafide student.
    • The institution has no objection to the student joining the internship.
    • The student is not attending other academic sessions during the internship.
  3. Government-issued ID proof.
  4. Academic transcripts or mark sheets (if requested).

The NOC must be issued on institutional letterhead and signed by the HOD or Principal.


Internship Terms and Conduct

Selected interns are expected to:

  • Maintain punctuality and be present in the office from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on all working days.
  • Adhere to the official dress code: black trousers, white shirt, blazer (in winter), and black formal shoes.
  • Follow professional and ethical conduct, including strict confidentiality.

Interns must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before beginning their tenure. This ensures that all government data, reports, and internal discussions remain confidential. Interns are strictly prohibited from disclosing any internal material or using it for personal purposes.

They must also bring their own laptops with internet access, as most work will be conducted digitally.


Rules and Restrictions

Interns must:

  • Report to their designated officer daily and maintain a signed attendance record.
  • Seek prior approval for any leave.
  • Avoid unauthorized access to files, systems, or confidential data.
  • Refrain from using departmental resources for personal purposes.

Violation of any of these conditions may lead to termination of the internship and further disciplinary actions.


How to Apply

Applications must be submitted before June 11, 2025, via the official portal or email (check the Department of Legal Affairs website for details). Shortlisted candidates will be notified via email.


Why Apply?

This internship is a valuable opportunity to:

  • Gain exposure to legal operations in India’s top law office.
  • Understand the process behind drafting and interpreting laws.
  • Develop legal research, drafting, and analytical skills.
  • Earn an official certificate and work experience that can strengthen future legal career prospects.

For law students and graduates looking to make a mark in public legal service or policymaking, this internship offers a rare, practical insight into India’s legal machinery.


Exclusive Opportunity: ICC Legal Internship 2025 in The Hague for Law Students

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