The Government of India has announced that couples living in a stable live-in relationship will now be counted as “married” during the national population census. Officials said that if both partners confirm they are in a long-term, committed relationship, they will be recorded as a married couple. No legal documents or certificates will be required for this classification, and the information provided by the couple themselves will be accepted during the survey process. This move is seen as a step toward recognizing changing social trends in India, where live-in relationships are becoming more common, especially in urban areas. By including such couples in official data, the government aims to get a more accurate picture of household structures and living arrangements across the country. Experts believe this decision could help improve policy planning in areas like housing, social welfare, and urban development. It may also support better understanding of demographic patterns, although some discussions are expected around legal recognition and social acceptance of live-in relationships in different parts of India.
