In India marriage has always been considered a supreme. The husband and wife are considered as the one in the eyes of law. Marriage legally entitles both the persons to cohabit. But nowadays people prefer live in relationship because it provides for a life free from responsibility and commitment unlike as in a marriage. It is a common trend in the western culture and is now a budding trend in India as well.
Cohabitation or live-in relationships is a living arrangement. It is “an arrangement of living under which the couples which are unmarried live together to conduct a long-going relationship similarly as in marriage". In this relationship an unmarried couple lives together under the same roof in a way it resembles a marriage, but without getting married legally. This form of relationship does not thrust the typical responsibilities of a married life on the individuals living together. The foundation of live in relationship is individual freedom.

Now emphasizing that law should evolve according to changing times, the Supreme Court had said that live-in relationships, which were earlier, considered to be a taboo, has now become an acceptable norm in society and is not considered a prohibited relationship. Live in relationships have been legalized in India and is gradually being accepted specially amongst the young generation. As per the law, ‘living together is not a crime, but it is right to life’. Live-in relationship has become an acceptable norm in modern times and it is not a crime. But if a public figure has indulged in such relationship, then exposing it is not wrong.

But, we know how Indians are.
Live-in relationships in India have still not received the consent of the majority of people. They are still considered a taboo to the Indian society. The majority of the people consider it as an immoral and an improper relationship. They think that live-in relationships are against Indian culture. I do agree that every culture has its own values, but the societies in India are more conservative and the people cannot accept new changes easily because they are bound by religion and society. People have yet not accepted this form of relationship. "I practically live with my boyfriend" every time someone hears these words, they think about “sex” every time couple hit their room but living with your partner is much more than that. It may cause a sense of discomforts to people living around. Most of the times, living relationships goes against the family. By the time the family accepts, the couple may loose interest in each other! Even in today’s time, men prefer women who are virgin and hence it’s difficult for the girl.

However, I feel that live-in relationship should be encouraged because it can be the best way to know your partner. In this form of relationship, partners live with each other without being married. The partners are free from any social obligations and can hence live without any guilt. So knowing your partner before marriage is a plus point. This reduces the number of divorces and the mental torture families go through. It reduces domestic violence as the partner can leave anytime. Live-in relationships could be encouraged among senior citizens or divorcees/widows because they have already gone through a marriage which for some reason might have remained unsuccessful. But life is a long journey and most people can't live alone without a partner to share feelings both at a emotional as well as physical level. Partners become more responsible and independent. So, in my opinion those who are going for marriages should be in live-in relationships before marriage just to see that if this relationship will work in the future or not.
But the biggest drawback of a Live-in relationship is the social stigma in Indian society.