India
Decriminalized in 2018 (Navtej Johar). The Supreme Court declined to legalize marriage in 2023 and dismissed the review in January 2025.
Updated
- Same-sex activity
- Legal
- Recognition
- No legal recognition
- Region
- Asia
- Cities covered
- 9
- Confidence
- High
- Reviewed
- September 16, 2026
Sources:UK FCDO travel adviceEqualdexLinks checked Every country in one table
Travel advice
Go with your eyes open. Keep affection private, use apps carefully, and stick to venues locals recommend.
Check the UK FCDO or US State Department advice before you book.
Where the boys go
Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru.
Destinations and scenes
9 places in India. Every city we cover →
Questions people ask
Safety and the law
Is India safe for gay travelers?
It is legal, but be discreet. India is Tier 3: no crime, but few protections and real stigma. Decriminalized in 2018 (Navtej Johar). The Supreme Court declined to legalize marriage in 2023 and dismissed the review in January 2025. Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru. Go with your eyes open. Keep affection private, use apps carefully, and stick to venues locals recommend.
Is it legal to be gay in India?
Yes, with caveats. India is Tier 3 on our ranking: not criminalized, but few or no protections, real stigma, "propaganda" laws, harassment or police abuse. Discretion advised. Decriminalized in 2018 (Navtej Johar). The Supreme Court declined to legalize marriage in 2023 and dismissed the review in January 2025. Read more →
Is same-sex marriage legal in India?
No. India has no legal recognition of same-sex couples. Not a crime, but keep it private.
Can gay couples hold hands in India?
Better not. It is not a crime, but with real stigma and no protections the safe default is to keep affection private and save it for the venues locals recommend.
Are dating apps safe to use in India?
Carefully. With few or no protections, fake profiles and blackmail are a real risk: no face photo until you trust someone, no location sharing, and meet in public.
Can two men share a hotel room in India?
Yes. Hotels take the booking and most will not comment; if reception assumes twin beds, it is not personal. Keep affection private.
Why is India Tier 3?
Tier 3, legal but discreet, means not criminalized, but few or no protections, real stigma, "propaganda" laws, harassment or police abuse. Discretion advised. India sits at #17 in the tier. Where two tiers are plausible we choose the more cautious one. Read more →
The scene
What is the best gay city in India?
Mumbai, real scene. India's biggest scene, Gay Bombay parties and Queer Azaadi Mumbai Pride, without marriage rights. Read more →
Which cities in India have a gay scene?
Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi. We cover 9 places in India, each with its own page, so you can look up wherever the trip puts you. Read more →
Pride, parties and beaches
When is Pride in India?
Most years: November: New Delhi. Exact dates land on each city page as they are announced, and the club hears first. Read more →
Planning the trip
When is the best time to visit India?
It depends on the city. Mumbai: February. New Delhi: November. Pride weekends and the big parties are on each city page with countdowns.
Which countries are in the same tier as India?
Tier 3 also holds Poland, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Albania, North Macedonia and 77 more. Not a crime, but keep it private. Read more →
How reliable is this rating for India?
Confidence is high. The tier comes from ILGA World, the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Human Dignity Trust, the Williams Institute, Pew, the Spartacus Gay Travel Index, Equaldex and court rulings, last reviewed September 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us and it moves. Read more →
Method
Tiered on the legal status and social acceptance of gay men and LGB people using ILGA World, the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Human Dignity Trust, the Williams Institute, Pew, the Spartacus Gay Travel Index, Equaldex and court rulings. Where two tiers are plausible we choose the more cautious one. How we tier. Last reviewed September 2026.