India Gay Travel Index 2026
Score = Legal 40/60 + Scene 26/40 = 66/100
Updated 1 Oct 2026 · release 2026.3.
A live score, not an annual report — it recomputes as laws, rulings and the scene itself change. See what moved in 2026.
Legal composite · Legal milestones · Scene on the ground · Plan your trip · Frequently asked questions
Legal composite — 40/60 points
| Criminalization | Legal |
|---|---|
| Partnership | ● No not recognised |
| Anti-discrimination | ● Partial |
| Gender recognition | Restricted — heavy barriers (surgery, courts) or rarely granted |
| Enforcement reality | Calm — no active persecution documented |
Research note: Mar-2026 Amendment Act replaced self-ID with mandatory medical-board examination (ILGA) — GayOut Index 2026.3 legal research (ILGA World / Human Dignity Trust / Rainbow Europe / Equaldex).
Legal composite, five components
Fulfilment per component (100 = maximum). Weights: criminalisation 35% · partnership 20% · enforcement 20% · anti-discrimination 15% · gender recognition 10%.
Legal milestones
Background, not travel advice — how the current status came to be. For planning a trip, rely on the current score, tier and scene sections above; 2026 movements are tracked in the sourced change log.
- 2009The Delhi High Court in Naz Foundation read down Section 377, decriminalising consensual gay sex in the capital territory. ↗
- 2013The Supreme Court in Suresh Kumar Koushal reversed that verdict and re-criminalised same-sex relations under Section 377. ↗
- 2014The Supreme Court in NALSA v. Union of India recognised transgender people as a third gender with full rights. ↗
- 2018The Supreme Court in Navtej Singh Johar struck down Section 377, decriminalising gay sex across India. ↗
- 2023The Supreme Court in Supriyo declined to legalise same-sex marriage, ruling that recognition is for Parliament to decide. ↗
- 2026Parliament amended the Transgender Persons Act, replacing self-identification with a mandatory medical-board examination. ↗
- TodayGay sex is legal and trans people are constitutionally recognised, but same-sex marriage remains unavailable. ↗
Sources: ILGA World · Human Dignity Trust · Equaldex. Each milestone links to a reference source ↗.
Scene on the ground — 26/40 points
Detailed scene metrics (for researchers)
| Gay bars per million | 0 |
|---|---|
| Saunas per million | 0 |
| Events per million | 0.01 |
| Coverage grade | A |
| Scene score | 26/40 (raw scene index 64/100) |
Frequently asked questions
Is India safe for gay travellers?
India is rated Some caution on the GayOut Gay Travel Index 2026, scoring 66/100 overall with a legal safety component of 40/60. On enforcement reality, no active persecution is documented.
Is same-sex marriage legal in India?
No. Same-sex marriage is not legal in India. Overall legal status: Legal.
Does India have a gay scene?
Yes. GayOut lists 180 LGBTQ+ venues in India, including 6 dedicated gay bars, across 10 cities with a scene, and tracks 7 Pride parades there.
Which city in India has the biggest gay scene?
Hyderabad has the largest documented LGBTQ+ scene in India, with 13 venues listed in the GayOut directory, followed by Kolkata (12 venues).
How many gay bars and saunas are there in India?
GayOut currently lists 6 dedicated gay bars and 3 gay saunas in India, and tracks 7 Pride parades there. Counts exclude venues that are merely gay-friendly.