---
title: "Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) — Definition"
description: "Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) read down Section 377 IPC to decriminalise consensual same-sex acts, overruling Koushal. Key facts for UPSC GS2."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/navtej-singh-johar-case"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Navtej Singh Johar v.
- Union of India (2018) is the Supreme Court of India judgment that decriminalised consensual same-sex relations by reading down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.
- How did Navtej Singh Johar differ from the Naz Foundation and Koushal cases?
- What constitutional doctrines did the Court rely on?
- Did the judgment legalise same-sex marriage in India?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In September 2018, the Supreme Court Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra read down Section 377 IPC in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India, decriminalising consensual same-sex relations between adults across India.

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