Hyderabad
oi-Ashish Rana
The Centre’s upcoming Census exercise may bring a major shift in how households are officially recorded, with unmarried couples in live-in relationships likely to be recognised as families during data collection. Preparations for the first phase of the Census have already begun, with officials gathering household-level details and counting family members across regions.
The Centre’s upcoming Census may recognize unmarried live-in couples as families, sparking mixed reactions in Hyderabad regarding recognition and privacy concerns amidst a rise in such relationships.
The possible inclusion of live-in couples under the family category has sparked mixed reactions in Hyderabad, where such relationships have become increasingly common over the past two decades. While some couples see the move as a step towards recognition and legal acceptance, others are worried about privacy and the possibility of their personal lives becoming known to family members or society.
Live-In Relationships Grow Beyond Hyderabad’s IT Sector
Live-in relationships first gained visibility in Hyderabad alongside the city’s expanding corporate culture and influx of young professionals. Many individuals moving to the city for employment opportunities chose to delay marriage and instead live with partners while focusing on careers.
Initially concentrated around Information Technology companies, the culture gradually expanded into industries such as hospitality, cinema, television and modelling. Areas like Gachibowli, Madhapur, Banjara Hills, Serilingampalle and Pocharam are believed to have a sizeable number of unmarried couples living together.
Officials estimate that the number of such households could be significant in several parts of the Greater Hyderabad region. However, authorities have also noted that disputes involving live-in partners have occasionally surfaced in criminal investigations over the years.
Couples Fear Personal Relationships Could Become Public
A major concern among many live-in couples is privacy. Several couples reportedly keep their relationships hidden from parents and relatives, fearing social pressure or family objections.
The possibility of being officially recorded during the Census has created anxiety among some residents, who worry that their relationship status could eventually become public knowledge. Authorities, however, have assured that personal details collected during the Census process would remain confidential.
Despite those assurances, questions remain over whether all couples would feel comfortable sharing accurate information with Census enumerators.
Some Couples See Official Recognition As A Positive Step
Not everyone views the move negatively. Some couples believe formal recognition through Census records could strengthen acceptance of live-in relationships in society.
Courts in India have, in recent years, recognised certain legal protections and rights for couples living together outside marriage. Supporters of the move argue that acknowledging such households reflects changing social realities in urban India.
At the same time, others are concerned about future complications if relationships end and either partner later marries someone else. Some fear that official documentation could create legal or social difficulties later on.
Pocharam IT Corridor Witnessing Sharp Rise In Numbers
The live-in culture, once associated mainly with cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, has now spread deeper into Hyderabad’s expanding IT corridors, including Pocharam.
With multiple software companies operating in and around the region, many young professionals are believed to be living together in nearby apartment complexes and gated communities. Officials estimate that the population in the Pocharam division, once around 60,000, could now rise to nearly 1.5 lakh, driven largely by Information Technology employees.
Authorities are expected to focus on confidence-building measures during the Census exercise to ensure cooperation from residents, especially couples concerned about privacy and confidentiality.
