Uttarakhand in India aims to regulate live-in relationships through UCC

A new law proposed in India's Uttarakhand state could soon require couples who live together, referred to as "live-in" relationships, to inform authorities and comply with regulations. The proposal is part of a larger Uniform Civil Code (UCC) aimed at establishing a unified law for all residents, regardless of religion, sex, gender, and sexual orientation. Currently, unmarried couples living together are still generally frowned upon in India. Under the proposed law, partners must submit a live-in relationship statement to a registrar, who conducts an inquiry. The registrar also informs the police and parents if either partner is under 21. If approved, failure to comply or inform the authorities could result in prison time, fines, or both. Legal experts have criticized the proposal, arguing that it violates privacy and shouldn't be penalized. While live-in relationships are not uncommon in India's larger cities, surveys indicate that views on them remain mixed. India's courts have had differing opinions on live-in relationships, with the Supreme Court endorsing the right of unmarried couples to live together, while a Delhi court deemed them "immoral." Critics of the Uttarakhand law argue that it may drive away couples, encourage reporting on them, and make landlords reluctant to rent to unregistered couples.