What are the legal and constitutional provisions for same-sex marriage in India

Currently, same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in India. Here are the legal and constitutional provisions regarding same-sex marriage in India:

• The Indian Penal Code (IPC) does not explicitly criminalize same-sex relationships or marriage.
• Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees equality before the law, but there is no specific provision for same-sex marriage.
• In 2018, the Supreme Court of India decriminalized consensual same-sex relationships by striking down Section 377 of the IPC, which criminalized homosexuality.
• However, the court did not address the issue of same-sex marriage, leaving it up to legislative action or further court intervention in the future.
• The marriage laws in India only recognize heterosexual marriages, governed by personal laws based on religion or the Special Marriage Act, which permits interfaith and inter-caste marriages.
• Efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in India have been largely limited to civil society organizations and activists.

In conclusion, while same-sex relationships are legal in India, there is no legal provision for same-sex marriage. It will require legislative action or a decision by the Supreme Court to recognize and legalize same-sex marriage in the country.