Author: Niyati Nirvan Sahoo

Academic Literature on Live-in Relationships Academic literature emphasizes that the legitimacy of live-in relationships rests on several factors including duration of cohabitation, mutual commitment, shared household responsibilities, pooling of resources, and social recognition as a couple. Legal scholars have drawn parallels with the concept of common law marriage recognized in certain jurisdictions, where prolonged cohabitation coupled with mutual intent creates legal presumptions of marriage. Constitutional Foundations The constitutional basis for recognizing live-in relationships derives from Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. The Supreme Court, through expansive interpretation, has held that personal…