Live-in Relationships and the Uniform Civil Code in India: Legal Evolution, Social Response, and Constitutional Dilemmas

Abstract

The paper examines cohabitation's social and legal ramifications in India, paying special attention to recent modifications to Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Live-in partnerships are not widely accepted in India. They frequently encounter strong cultural opposition, even though they are neither illegal nor generally regarded as immoral. Live-in relationships present a novel and contentious concept in a culture where marriage is seen as the primary means of establishing male-female cohabitation. In these arrangements, two people live together without the legal ties of marriage, frequently to evaluate their compatibility, emotional ties, or potential future commitments. In India, live- in relationships are not regulated by law, and varying court interpretations lead to legal ambiguity and unequal protections, particularly for women. Until the UCC's recent attempts to codify these relationships, there was a noticeable lack of clear legal guidelines, despite their gradual understanding through court rulings and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. Essential concerns regarding privacy, individual choice, and government intervention in private affairs are brought up by this study's examination of the UCC's formal procedures, such as the requirement that live-in partnerships be registered. It incorporates various scholarly views, legal documents, and court cases to explore how live-in relationships connect with gender justice, maintenance rights, social resistance, and constitutional protections under Articles 14, 19, and 21. This context highlights the con