19 September 2026 · 6 min read · SaathWala team
Is It Legal to Rent a Boyfriend or Girlfriend in India? (2026 Guide)
What the law allows, what it does not, and how to rent a boyfriend or girlfriend in India safely and legally for weddings, events and outings.
"Rent a boyfriend" and "girlfriend on rent" have gone from Japanese TV trope to a real search term in Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur. The obvious question follows: is it legal in India? The short answer is yes, when it means what reputable platforms mean by it: paying for someone's company at a social occasion, with nothing physical involved. Here is the longer answer.
What "renting a boyfriend" actually means
On a companionship platform you are booking a person's time and company for an occasion: walking into a wedding together, a family lunch, an office party, a concert or a day out in the city. It is the same idea as hiring a tour guide or an event host. You get a presentable, friendly person beside you; they get paid for their time or simply enjoy the outing.
It is not dating, and it is not an escort service. The difference matters legally, and it is the line every responsible platform draws in its rules.
What the law says
- Platonic companionship is legal. No Indian law stops two adults from meeting in public, attending an event together, or one of them paying the other for their time.
- Anything sexual for money is where it becomes illegal. The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and related provisions target soliciting, brothels and living off such earnings. A platform that allows, hints at or turns a blind eye to that is exposed, and so are its users.
- Both people must be adults. Any service involving someone under 18 is a serious crime. Reputable platforms verify age with a government ID.
- Your data is protected. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 gives you the right to know what a platform holds about you and to have it deleted.
This is a general explanation, not legal advice. If you have a specific situation, speak to a lawyer.
How to tell a legitimate service from a risky one
| Legitimate | Walk away |
|---|---|
| Says "platonic" clearly and bans anything else in its rules | Uses winks, "extras", or "full service" language |
| Verifies ID and age for every companion | No verification, or "trust me" verification |
| Recommends public meeting places | Suggests hotel rooms or your home |
| Never asks you to pay a stranger an advance | Wants a deposit over UPI before you have met |
| Has a grievance officer and a way to report people | No company details, no complaint process |
Is it safe?
It can be very safe if you follow the same habits you would for any meeting with someone new: meet somewhere busy, arrange your own transport, tell a friend your plan, and never pay upfront to someone you have not met. Our safety guide has the full checklist, and our first-meeting checklist is a two-minute read.
How SaathWala keeps it legal
- Every companion's ID is checked by a person, and companions take a live selfie on camera.
- Every member and companion agrees, point by point, to platonic-only rules before joining.
- Phone numbers stay masked until a verified member chooses to reveal one.
- Anyone who asks for more than companionship is banned, and serious cases are reported.
Membership is free during launch. You can browse by city: boyfriend on rent or girlfriend on rent across India, or go straight to Delhi, Mumbai or Jaipur.
Frequently asked
Do I have to give my Aadhaar?
Verification is required before you can reveal a companion's number. Aadhaar is voluntary; masked Aadhaar is accepted, and support can verify you with a passport, driving licence or voter ID instead.
Can I pay a companion for their time?
Yes. Companions are independent and some charge for their time. Agree it before you meet, and never send an advance to someone you have not met.