Is it OK for men to wear knee-length shorts during the day?

You can wear them, and no one will be rude enough to scold you.

However, men don't really wear shorts in India, so they will think you are odd.

I'd have him wear lightweight cotton trousers instead.

Thanks. I thought I had read that men's shorts were really not done.

Not as bad as women in shorts, but still not advisable.

i wore chinos all the time... another reason for that is to protect your legs from splatters of undesireable gunk...

I've worn shorts many times. In fact i have purchased some in mens stores in Delhi. In the urban areas like the big cities people are used to seeing foreigners wearing shorts. I never felt stared at. You should be perfectly fine. Is a new age.

jacketwatch-I am so glad you said that as we are leaving in 2 weeks and if my wonderful other half could not wear shorts, he probably would not go on the trip. I am lucky to see him wear pants unless he absolutely has to.

He will be fine. Have a good trip. Larry.

While I agree that shorts on men in India are not an issue, if you are going to North India in 2 weeks, it is unlikely your other half will want to wear shorts; temps will be on the cool side most days. Sunny and pleasant but not what I would call shorts weather. Daytime temps are only in the high 60s F. You could get the odd very hot day, but you could also get days in the 50s F. See some weather websites to make sure you are prepared for the weather. Chinos, khakis or jeans may be a better choice.

The other thing is that the locals will be bundled up, he may feel strange in shorts when all around you are in wool sweaters and shawls.

Bear in mind footgear as well. Shoes have to come off in many places, and socks will keep your feet warm (and cleaner). The marble floors of the Taj Mahal are pretty cold at sunrise in February.

If you are going to a beach area in the sought like Goa, then shorts are fine as it will be much warmer.

I'm not sure he'd want to. We're from Australia and live in shorts all year round. We were in India in January this year and my husband took 1 pair of shorts ... and didn't wear them. I don't expect anyone would say anything other than, perhaps "Spot the tourist". We just felt more comfortable wearing long pants and shirts, like everyone else. Lightweight walking trousers are a good idea as they are cooler and feel more relaxed. That's all I'd take next time!

We did a family tour of India last March. Trust me, wearing long trousers will not make you blend in! With two tall blonde haired teenagers we had attention EVERYWHERE we went though we never felt threatened, but sometimes very uncomfortable, i.e. catching the underground in Delhi and in the markets of Chadi Chowk.
As there was a heatwave, both my husband and son wore shorts everywhere, covering up only to go inside temples.
My top tip would be to take some old comfortable trainers which you can throw in the bin before coming home, a lot of the city streets are too rough for western feet in sandals.

Indian men stop wearing shorts in India usually by their mid-teens. In south India, men may opt to wear a "dhoti" which is looks like a long skirt, but it's very comfortable in the heat.

It's a little counter intuitive because it's such a hot country and they wear more clothing than we wear in cooler climates.

I'm a 64 year old male. Just returned from a month month holiday in India. Wore shorts the whole time (except for when visiting a couple of temples) in Delhi, Mumbai, Goa and throughout Rajasthan and never felt out of place. I actually questioned a few Indian people we met about the acceptability of men wearing shorts and all said quite ok - several saying they wore them themselves on occasions. So definitely not a problem!!!

The question is south or north India. We've spent close to four months in India, and it really depends on the locale you are in.

On the typical Rajasthan, Varanasi, Agra itinerary. No.

In the south it is a different story since so many of the men there wear dhotis.

Its absolutely ok, unless you want to enter a place of worship. Those guys can get unnerved.

Slightly off target, but recently visited Bhu Ping Palace in Chaing Mai Thailand while wearing short trousers. Was forbidden entry unless rented available garment which covered knees. Girls and women likewise and even forbidden to display elbows. I found it odd that even the rattiest torn pants, dirty shirts, decrepit flip-flops all OK, just no visible knee/elbow.
My only personal objection to short trousers is the tropical sunburn i suffer.