Open Marriage in India: What it is and how it differs from extra-marital affairs

This new concept is nothing but open marriage, which has now reached India through foreign countries. Currently, many couples are following this trend. In such a situation, know in detail about open marriage trend in India.

Post Published By: Sona Saini
Updated : 29 July 2025, 8:36 PM IST
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New Delhi: Nowadays, people's thinking about marriage and relationships is changing a lot. Influenced by foreign culture, now people have started following various trends related to this relationship. Marriage, which has always been considered a sacred and birth bond in India, is now changing with the changing times.

A new concept in this relationship built on dedication and trust is now becoming increasingly popular. This new concept is nothing but open marriage, which has now reached India through foreign countries. Currently, many couples are following this trend. In such a situation, know in detail about open marriage trend in India.

What Is Open Marriage?

Relationship experts says that with the changing times, the way of handling relationships is also changing. Some people still want to spend their whole life with their partner, while there are others who want to explore other options even after marriage. On the same lines, the concept of open marriage became popular among people in which people can have a relationship with another person while being married.

Is It Different From An Extra-Marital Affair?

Now you might be thinking that this happens in extra marital affairs as well, so you are slightly wrong. Actually, in an extra-marital affair, people secretly have an affair, but in an open marriage, you can have a relationship with another person outside your marriage with the consent of your partner. That is, you can have romantic and / or sexual relations with your partner as well as with other people without hiding from your partner.

How Open Marriage Different From Polyamory?

Polyamory is also a concept of forming a relationship with someone other than the partner after marriage, but it is also very different from open marriage. Actually, in polyamory, love or emotional feelings are more important. Physical contact comes later.

On the other hand, in an open marriage, a person can have a physical relationship with another person outside their marriage with or without an emotional connection.

Are Open Marriages Prevalent In India?

Experts says that the trend of open marriage has increased rapidly in India for some time. This is especially true in cities where the numbers are staggering.

However, very few are making it public. According to a survey in 2023, about 60% of single Indians believed that open marriage or polyamory could be their choice in the future.

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