Hyderabad census may count live-in couples as families
HYDERABAD: Unmarried couples in live-in relationships may soon be counted as families in the upcoming Census exercise, with the Centre preparing to begin the first phase of data collection. Officials have started groundwork to record household details and the number of family members, and live-in couples are expected to be brought under the family category.
The move has triggered mixed reactions among couples living together in Hyderabad. While some see official recognition as beneficial, others fear that their personal relationships could become public through the Census process.
Live-in culture expands beyond IT sector
Live-in relationships, which began gaining visibility in Hyderabad nearly two decades ago, have expanded alongside the city’s corporate culture. Young professionals moving to the city for jobs and business opportunities increasingly prefer live-in arrangements, often postponing marriage to focus on careers.
Initially common in Information Technology-linked companies, the trend later spread to sectors such as hospitality, cinema, television and modelling. Areas including Serilingampalle, Gachibowli, Madhapur, Pocharam and Banjara Hills are believed to have a sizeable number of couples living together.
Officials estimate that the numbers could be significant in some parts of the Greater Hyderabad region. At the same time, incidents linked to disputes in live-in relationships have occasionally surfaced in criminal cases.
Couples worry over privacy concerns
Many live-in couples reportedly keep their relationships hidden from family members. Some now fear that inclusion in Census records could make their relationships officially documented and eventually public.
Authorities have assured that personal details collected during the Census would remain confidential. However, it remains to be seen whether couples would trust those assurances and cooperate fully with enumerators.
Some couples, however, believe official registration could work in their favour. Courts in recent years have recognised certain rights for couples in live-in relationships. Others are worried about possible complications if such relationships break down in the future and either partner later decides to marry someone else.
Pocharam IT corridor sees rising numbers
The live-in culture, which had spread from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and western Hyderabad, has now reached the Pocharam IT corridor as well. With several software companies operating in the area, many couples are believed to be living together in nearby residential complexes.
According to earlier estimates, Pocharam division had a population of around 60,000. Officials now expect it to touch nearly 1.5 lakh, with Information Technology employees forming a major share.
Officials are now expected to focus on building confidence among such couples to ensure cooperation during the Census exercise.
