Is fornication legal in India?

Asked by: Josie Wehner  |  Last update: January 27, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (31 votes)

Yes, fornication (consensual sex between unmarried adults) is legal in India, as the Supreme Court decriminalized adultery (extramarital sex) in 2018, removing criminal penalties for consensual extramarital affairs and upholding individual liberty and gender equality. While adultery is no longer a crime, it can still be grounds for civil matters like divorce, and extramarital affairs can have consequences for government employees.

What is the law of fornication in India?

Whoever has sexual intercourse with a person who is and whom he knows or has reason to believe to be the wife of another man, without the consent or connivance of that man, such sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, is guilty of the offence of adultery, and shall be punished with imprisonment of ...

Is adultery still a crime in India?

Adultery is no longer a crime in India, but it's still a valid ground for divorce. But remember: texting or emotional affairs don't legally count as adultery. To prove it in court, there must be a physical sexual relationship.

Is fornication illegal anywhere?

As of December 2023, the only states in America that have laws banning fornication are: Georgia (Official Code of Georgia Annotated, § 16-6-18) Illinois (Illinois Compiled Statutes, § 720-5/11-40) Mississippi (Unannotated Mississippi Code, § 97-29-1)

What is the new law on extra marital affairs in India?

The 2018 Joseph Shine verdict held that consensual extramarital sexual relationships are no longer criminal, that is, no one can be jailed or fined for adultery.

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43 related questions found

Is it illegal to have a second wife in India?

Under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Christian Marriage Act, 1872, and Special Marriage Act, 1954, bigamy is illegal. This means that if a Hindu, Christian, or interfaith couple marries while one spouse is already legally married, the second marriage is void and has no legal recognition.

What to do if wife has extra-marital affairs in India?

If reconciliation is not an option, and the objective is to end the marital relationship, filing for divorce is the next legal step. Divorce on grounds of adultery is recognized under most personal laws in India, including: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 – Section 13(1)(i) Special Marriage Act, 1954 – Section 27(1)(a)

What is the most adulterous country in the world?

A study ranks Thailand as the No. 1 country for cheating, with 51% of married individuals admitting to being unfaithful to their partners. The list is followed by Denmark (46%), Germany and Italy (45%), and France (43%). Thailand is the only Asian country in the top 20.

Is kissing a form of fornication?

Kissing itself isn't explicitly defined as fornication in religious texts, but it's seen as a slippery slope or part of a broader category of sexual immorality, often condemned if it leads to lust, sexual arousal, or sexual acts outside of marriage, which is considered fornication. While some traditions distinguish passionate kissing from intercourse, many advise avoiding it, along with other intimate touches, to prevent falling into lustful temptation and sexual immorality, focusing on purity and intention before marriage. 

What is the punishment for adultery in Dubai?

FAQs regarding Adultery in Dubai

Adultery, Islamic law, or Sharia, forbids adultery and makes it a criminal offense. Those found guilty might be deported and sentenced to up to three years in prison.

Can I sue my wife for cheating in India?

A: Yes, absolutely. Adultery is a valid ground for divorce available to both the husband and the wife under India's personal laws, including the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and the Special Marriage Act, 1954. A single proven act of infidelity is sufficient to file a petition for divorce.

Can a married woman live with another man legally in India?

In India, there is no law that specifically prohibits a married man or woman from living with another person in a live in relationship. However, there are certain laws that may apply to such relationships, such as the laws relating to adultery and bigamy.

Is cheating after marriage illegal in India?

Cheating in a relationship is not automatically considered a crime. However, under India's new criminal law, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), it can become a criminal offence if there is clear evidence of fraud or dishonest intention from the very beginning.

Is it legal to do a second marriage without divorce in India?

The Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), 1955 does not allow a second marriage in India without divorce. According to Section 5 of HMA, a valid marriage requires that neither party has a living spouse.

Is it illegal to swear in public in India?

Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code lays down the punishment for obscene acts or words in public. The other section of Indian Penal code which deal with obscenity are 292 and 293.

What is the #1 worst sin?

There's no single #1 worst sin; it depends on the religious or moral framework, but pride is often called the root of all evil (Christianity/Islam), while the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (unforgivable sin) is considered the gravest in the Bible. Other severe sins include child abuse (Catholicism) and sins that "cry to Heaven" (like shedding innocent blood or oppressing the poor). 

Why do guys moan when kissing?

He moans when you kiss because it's a natural, often involuntary, sign of intense pleasure, enjoyment, and arousal, showing he's fully engaged and feeling good in the moment, indicating he really likes kissing you and finds it exciting. It's a physical response to deep connection and sensory input, a sign of positive emotion and physical response, and can simply mean he's "feeling it". 

What is the 3 kiss rule?

In the Netherlands it is considered quite normal for Dutch people to greet each other with three kisses on the cheek. It is also customary to do the same again when saying goodbye. It's just a friendly way of saying hello and farewell. It's not limited to the Dutch either.

Is adultery common in India?

Infidelity in India is no longer taboo, a forbidden phenomenon that is brushed under the carpet. Acoording to a recent infidelity survey by Gleeden (a global extramarital dating app for women) with IPSOS as a research provider, there has been a 16 percent decline in physical infidelity in the country since 2023.

Which country has the most faithful husband?

Here's a rundown of countries known for having some of the most faithful husbands.

  • Turkey. Credit: iStockphoto. ...
  • Japan. Credit: iStockphoto. ...
  • Australia. Credit: iStockphoto. ...
  • Canada. Credit: iStockphoto. ...
  • Germany. Credit: iStockphoto. ...
  • Sweden. Credit: iStockphoto. ...
  • Italy. Credit: iStockphoto. ...
  • South Korea. Credit: iStockphoto.

Who cheats more in the USA?

Studies show that men tend to cheat more often than women in marriages. About 20% of married men cheat, compared to 13% of married women. This gender gap in infidelity has been consistent across various research findings. Men are more likely to engage in sexual infidelity and to do so multiple times.

Which city has the most extramarital affairs in India?

Kanchipuram, a small town in Tamil Nadu, has surged to claim the top spot for extra-marital affairs across India, according to new user data for June 2025 released by Ashley Madison, the global dating platform primarily marketed for individuals seeking extra-marital relationships.

What is the 80/20 rule in infidelity?

The 80/20 rule in the context of cheating suggests that people often cheat to find the missing 20% of fulfillment they feel their primary partner doesn't provide, while overlooking the 80% of needs that are met. This theory, adapted from the Pareto Principle, explains infidelity as a search for perceived deficits (excitement, validation, physical attributes) in someone new, often leading to the loss of the stable, satisfying 80% in the existing relationship, as seen in movies like Why Did I Get Married?.
 

Where do most affairs start with a man?

Most affairs for men, and generally, start in the workplace, driven by proximity, shared stress, and "situational intimacy," but also frequently begin at the gym, through social media, or with friends/partners of friends, often stemming from emotional needs for connection, validation, or escape, rather than just physical desire, according to various relationship experts and studies.