Last Updated on November 20, 2025 by admin
In India, there is no specific legal statute or regulation governing the practice of cuddle therapy or platonic touch therapy. It does, however, fall within the governing ambit of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Consumer Protection Act and relevant wellness industry regulations. As with any practice requiring the informed consent of the recipient, cuddling therapy is non-sexual. This paper explores the intersection of cuddling therapy and the law, and cuddling therapy and ethics, as well as the risks involved in the practice. For this reason, the paper seeks to provide the necessary information to prospective clients and potential business owners.
In cuddling therapy, or professional cuddling, clients may obtain the services of a professional cuddler to engage in non-sexual tactile touch to provide the clients with emotional comfort, to alleviate stress and to promote overall mental wellness. It seeks to provide emotional comfort, alleviate stress and promote mental wellness.
Cuddle therapy is something which has only recently made its way to India. Other countries such as the United States of America, Japan, and several countries across Europe have had cuddle therapy for years, and cuddle therapy has only recently made its way to India. It has only recently traveled this distance as the discipline of mental science and particularly its distinct branches have only recently gained prominence in India. Why is India Mental Science and Therapy such a trending topic in the country you ask? It is because mental science as a subject with its branches and subfields has only recently gained prominence and is only developing. This begs the ultimate question, is cuddling therapy legal in India? This guide will navigate the legal and ethical complexities of cuddle therapy in India, including to identify the risks and how to set up a cuddle therapy business.
What Other Countries Call Cuddle Therapy
In other countries, cuddle therapy is sometimes referred to as touch therapy. It is a legitimate school of thought and is considered a form of therapy. Stress, anxiety, and the feeling of discontentment are emotional healers of this therapy. It has also been proven that the touch of another individual, that is, physical touch, promotes the release of oxytocin, a hormone which promotes feeling of happiness and emotional security, leading to a feeling of being in love.
In comparison to places like the USA, where there is a well-regulated industry involving people like Cuddlist and others who certify cuddlers, this is a very new practice in India. Cuddling is very beneficial and there are cuddling sessions offered in other countries such as Australia and the UK. They offer cuddling to both clients and employees. Regardless, there are still a lot of people that question the legality of it. Additionally, people in India have a lot of cultural barriers regarding physical contact that impact mental health.
Is Cuddling Therapy Legal in India?
Lack of Specific Legislation But Other Rules are in Place
The short answer is that cuddling therapy lacks specific legislation in India. But cuddling, like any other form of well being service, is still required to follow several other guidelines:
Indian Penal Code (IPC): Cuddle therapy services must lie within the boundaries of the law and must not contravene the legal prohibitions against sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other forms of sexualized violence and obscenity. The primary focus of the service must stay within the parameters of a non sexual, professional touch.
Consumer Protection Laws: If a service is being offered as a form of therapy, there must be protection in place to comply with the Consumer Protection Legislation; there must be protection in place to provide the clients with transparent boundaries, a safe environment, and protection in place to ensure there is protection in place to mitigate any potential harm. The therapist must ensure that the parameters surrounding the therapy are made clear along with the pricing, and the conditions of the service.
Licensing and Wellness Regulations: Although cuddling therapy is not specifically licensed, in India, cuddling therapy business practitioners are typically covered under the country\’s general wellness regulations. If you wish to operate a business in the cuddling therapy field, you will likely have to meet the site-specific wellness and health business regulations.
Fact: In India, wellness businesses such as spas and other therapeutic services, are regulated by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act of 2019, which is a comprehensive health law. Although cuddle therapy is not specifically mentioned, ancillary health regulations do apply.
Ethical Considerations in Cuddling Therapy
Informed Consent: The Foundation of Cuddling Therapy
Informed consent is a cornerstone of cuddling therapy. Both the therapist and the client must understand the form the therapy will take and agree to the parameters, as well as the possible outcomes. In a country such as India, where cultural issues may arise around the connotations tied to closeness of touch, clear communication is essential to avoid misinterpretations and cultural misunderstandings related to the therapy.
Withstanding Professional Boundaries
In the field of cuddle therapy, professionals are required to uphold stringent boundary guidelines to avoid potential legal ramifications, along with the protection from exploitation and abuse of both sides. For cuddle therapists, the primary focus should be emotional support and well-being, and consequently, activities of a sexual or otherwise inappropriate nature must be avoided at all costs.
Ethical Guideline: Cuddle therapy should only be provided by trained professionals. The ethics of the field are conformed to with proper training, along with knowledge of boundary formation and maintenance, and the necessity of a ‘safe’ and ‘comfortable’ space for clientele.
Initiating a Cuddle Therapy Business in India
Legal and Business Considerations
Starting a cuddle therapy business in India poses unique hurdles, there are no cuddle therapy specific regulations, but the following are key to be compliant:
Business Registration: As a wellness service provider, you must register your business. Depending on your address, this may be registering your business with local authorities or wellness boards.
Licensing: Though there is no official certification for cuddle therapy, you may have to acquire a health and wellness certification to legally provide therapeutic services. Make sure to follow any applicable municipal or state regulations pertaining to health and wellness enterprises.
Insurance: Ideally, you should obtain liability insurance to protect both your business and your clients from any possible risks involved in providing touch services.
Marketing and Growing Your Business
Cuddle therapy is still in its infancy in India, so to expanding your business, you ought to educate people on the numerous benefits cuddle therapy can provide. Trust can be established through transparent pricing, services that outline the terms of the service, and a focus on the ethics of the service.
Collaboration with Wellness Centers: Partnering with established wellness or mental health facilities can increase your business’s credibility while also helping you obtain more clients.
Testimonials: Some clients may be willing to provide you with a testimonial to help spread the word. Positive testimonials and reviews can help ease the cultural hesitance surrounding the services offered and can help enhance your business’s reputation.
Risks and Challenges in Cuddling Therapy
Legal Risks
For cuddle therapy businesses in India, the absence of regulation is the biggest risk. While no hugs and cuddles therapy is legal, the absence of legal clarity can increase the risk of misunderstanding a potential complaint. Entrepreneurs must be careful to consider the boundaries of existing laws related to consent, assault, and consumer protection.
Cultural Challenges
India’s culture can be influenced significantly to cuddle therapy. Paid and professionalized physical contact is particularly controversial in the more conservative areas of the country. There is a public need for education to understand the practice’s non-sexual therapeutic nature.
Conclusion
In India, cuddling therapy operates in a legally ambiguous environment as the practice is relatively new and not yet governed by specific statutes. However, cuddling therapy falls within the general framework of consumer protection, consent, and wellness legislation. Anyone starting a cuddle therapy business in India will need to act ethically, set and follow professional boundaries, and respond to the applicable regulations.
The practice of platonic touch therapy will likely increase as the understanding and appreciation of mental health and holistic therapy improve in the country. The potential and resulting benefits of cuddling therapy will be heightened if the practice is legally transparent while remaining within the appropriate boundaries.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Cuddling Therapy in India
1. Is cuddling therapy legal in India?
Cuddling therapy does not come under any specific form of legislation in India. However, it does come under some general legal frameworks to do with consumer protection, sexual harassment, and wellness, etc.
2. What is the difference between cuddling therapy and sex work?
Cuddling therapy is platonic, non-sexual, and offers emotional and physical comfort. Unlike sex work, cuddling therapy directly aims for the mental wellness of the recipient and, thus, follows very specific professional boundaries.
3. Is anyone able to work as a professional cuddler in India?
In India, there are no specific credentials that are needed to work as a professional cuddler, however, there are ethical guidelines to follow, including informed consent prior to every encounter as there may be cuddles that occur without prior consent. To ensure a standard of professionalism, obtain a certificate in therapeutic touches to ensure the safety of all involved.
4. In India, what steps do I need to take to establish a business offering cuddles as therapy?
Starting a cuddling therapy business will require the registration of the business in order to comply with general wellness, as well as consumer laws, and to establish professional guidelines. You also need to legally advertise your services and explain the advantages and benefits of platonic touch to the community.
5. What are the drawbacks of cuddling therapy in India?
Cuddling therapy has the risk of providing an assumption of the nature of the therapy without explanation, as well as, the chance of a backlash as a result of the culture or the law that may also be present. To help avoid these risks, ensure that there is consent, and an ethical standard is maintained, along with compliance with the law.
6. Is there a benefit to cuddling therapy with mental health problems in particular?
Cuddling therapy is able to help improve one’s emotional wellness by providing a way to help reduce one’s stress, along with anxiety as a result of the release of oxytocin, and is therefore an alternative way to help those that may be struggling with mental health difficulties or feelings of loneliness.