Socio -Legal analysis of Live-in relationship in India: protection of women and children

Marriage has always considered as important part of personal life and family structure in India. But in city, there has
been a clear shift in how people view relationships. Most of the individuals are now choosing to live together without
getting married. These arrangements, known as live-in relationships, are becoming more common, even though the law
has not fully kept up with this change.
In India, there is no specific law that directly deals with live-in relationships. Most of the legal recognition and protection
available today come from decisions made by the courts. Judges have relied on constitutional principles and existing
laws, such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act,2005 to extend some level of protection to people
in such relationships.
This paper examines at the legal position of live-in relationships in India by considering both society and legal
developments. It focuses on mainly whether the current system is sufficient to Protect Women and Children, who are
often more vulnerable when these relationships end. The study refers to supreme court judgments, constitutional
importance on citizen life and also compares the situation in countries like United Kingdom, the United States and
France to understand how other legal systems deal with similar issues.
Even though the judiciary has played an active role in recognizing live-in relationships, the overall legal framework in
India is still not strong enough. There is a lack of clear and detailed legislation, some legal terms remain unclear, and
women often face challenges in proving their rights. Moreover, while the law has started to acknowledge such
relationships, social acceptance is still limited, which adds to the difficulties faced by individuals.
The paper concludes by offering practical suggestions for legal reforms and policy changes to make the system more
clear, fair, and effective.