India

India decriminalized consensual same-sex activity between adults on September 6, 2018, when the Supreme Court struck down Section 377 of the Penal Code in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India. On October 17, 2023, the Supreme Court unanimously voted against legalizing same-sex marriage, though it acknowledged same-sex live-in couples are entitled to social benefits. Trans identity recognized since the NALSA ruling (2014) and the Transgender Persons Act (2019), but the 2026 Transgender Persons Amendment Act (presidential assent March 30, 2026, in force, not stayed, and under constitutional challenge) removes self-identification and imposes medical board verification. No general SO anti-discrimination protection, though the 2019 Trans Act bans discrimination. Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru with vibrant LGBTQI+ scenes and Pride since 2008; heterogeneous society between liberal and conservative states; hijra community as traditional third gender.

Population 1.480M Capital Nueva Delhi Language Hindi · English Currency Indian Rupee (INR)

LGBTQI+ legal framework · India

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LGBT identity

Legal since 2018

Section 377 of Penal Code struck down on September 6, 2018 by Supreme Court · Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India · equal age of consent

Partnership recognition

No marriage · cohabitants partial rights

Supreme Court unanimously rejected same-sex marriage legalization on October 17, 2023 · live-in relationships with recognized social benefits · no civil unions

Legal protection

Constitutional + 2019 Trans Act

Supreme Court ruled discrimination based on sexual orientation violates Article 15 · Transgender Persons Act 2019 bans trans discrimination in employment, education and healthcare · no general SO anti-discrimination law

Trans rights

2026 rollback · self-identification removed

The 2026 Transgender Persons Amendment Act (presidential assent March 30, 2026) removes the self-identification recognized by NALSA 2014 and the 2019 Trans Act · requires medical board verification and District Magistrate approval · drops trans men, trans women and genderqueer from the definition · mandates hospitals report gender-affirming surgeries · criminal penalties for compelling someone to present as transgender · in force since assent and under constitutional challenge before the Supreme Court, which on May 4, 2026 declined to stay its operation and referred the case to a three-judge bench

Conversion therapies

No specific national law

Not explicitly banned by federal law · Tamil Nadu banned in 2021 after Madras HC ruling (S. Sushma case) · the National Medical Commission (NMC) declared it professional misconduct in 2022

Social context · India

Social acceptance

Mixed

Mixed · documented violence

Wide urban-rural gap · 79% of gay men and 44% of bisexual men have experienced verbal abuse or physical violence · vibrant scenes in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru · hijra community as traditional third gender

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Anti-LGBT violence

Documented

Documented · varies by region

Verbal and physical violence documented especially in conservative areas · honor killings reported · Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru with lower incidence · attacks reported in northern and eastern rural regions

Source →

Indicative data as of 2026-06-02. Check the destination country's official sources before travelling.

Experiences
gay friendly · India

Top-booked tours and activities, with instant booking via Viator.

Affiliate links to selected experiences

Recent
LGBT news · India

Latest changes — new laws, rulings, events relevant to LGBTQI+ travelers.

MAR 30, 2026 · LEGAL

2026 Trans Act abolishes self-identification

The 2026 Transgender Persons Amendment Act received presidential assent on March 30, 2026 (Lok Sabha March 24, Rajya Sabha March 25). It abolishes self-identification, requires medical board verification and District Magistrate approval, drops trans men, trans women and genderqueer from the definition, and adds criminal penalties for compelling someone to present as transgender. Amnesty International called it a major step backward; in force since assent and under Supreme Court challenge, which on May 4, 2026 declined to stay its operation.

JAN 09, 2025 · LEGAL

Supreme Court dismisses marriage-ruling review

The Supreme Court dismissed the review petitions against its 2023 ruling, finding no error apparent in the judgment and reaffirming there is no right to same-sex marriage and that it is for Parliament to legislate.