Is Trust In Marriage Eroding In India? Millions Of People Seeking Extra-marital Affairs On THIS App

New Delhi: Over the past few years, a significant number of Indians have been gravitating toward digital platforms where they seek to fulfill their needs—beyond the scope of marriage—through connections with others. Whether this involves seeking emotional support or physical intimacy, behaviors that would have seemed bizarre just yesterday are now rapidly becoming an integral part of the culture in major metropolitan areas.

If you believe this is merely a matter of hearsay, think again; the latest research statistics now stand as concrete evidence of this shift. Gleeden conducted a survey revealing that its extra-marital dating app has now amassed a user base of over 4 million individuals in India. This figure is not merely a statistic; it serves as a clear indicator that a quiet yet rapid transformation is currently underway within the country regarding the nature of relationships.

Is There a 'Silent Shift' in Relationships?

While we may characterize ourselves as a traditional and family-centric society, Gleeden’s recent survey paints a rather different picture. Although marriage in India is still revered as a sacred institution, individuals are increasingly stepping outside this conventional framework to acknowledge and address their own personal emotional needs. In 2024, Gleeden conducted a study involving 1,503 married individuals—aged between 25 and 50—residing in India’s Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities.

The findings were somewhat startling, yet they unequivocally pointed toward a societal shift. Despite marriage being held in the highest regard in India, people are no longer placing their entire reliance solely on this institution; instead, they are seeking partners outside of their marriages to alleviate feelings of loneliness.

Are People Adopting Non-Traditional Dating Practices?

The survey revealed that over 60% of respondents are exploring practices such as "swinging," wherein they engage in sexual relations with other couples to inject excitement and novelty into their sex lives. Furthermore, a subset of this 60% is embracing concepts like "open relationships" or "relationship freedom"—frameworks that allow married couples to maintain connections with other partners, even after marriage, for the purpose of seeking either emotional or physical support.

Is this trend visible in other dating apps?

Such shifts are not limited to just a single app. According to Ashley Madison's statistics, as of June 2025, Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu—a city renowned for its temples and silk sarees—is emerging as a major hotspot for extra-marital affairs. This serves as a clear indication that behaviors once considered taboo are now gradually becoming normalized.

Do Families Know Everything?

Snigdha Ghosh (name changed), a marketing analyst from Mumbai, observes that these matters no longer remain hidden. In many instances, family members are aware of the situation but choose to remain silent. Over the past few years, the trend of "open marriages" has witnessed a significant rise.

Another user, Aniruddh (name changed)—who has been married for 12 years—also admits to being active on extra-marital dating apps. He states, "It’s purely for the thrill and the sake of experimentation."

Who Are on These Apps? 

According to a survey conducted by Gleeden, the user base on the app consists of 65% men and 35% women. Over the last two years, female participation on the platform has surged by 148%. This suggests that women no longer feel the same hesitation they once did when utilizing these platforms.

When Are Users Most Active?

On average, Indian users spend between 1 to 1.5 hours daily on the app. The peak activity periods are between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM, and again from 10:00 PM to 12:00 AM. The implication is clear: whenever people find themselves with free time, they choose to spend it on these apps.

Who Prefers Whom?

Most men tend to seek out women aged between 25 and 30. Conversely, women aged 30 to 40 typically look for financially stable men—such as doctors, senior executives, or Chartered Accountants—and prioritize such partners.

Which Cities Have the Highest User Base?

Bengaluru – 18%
Hyderabad – 17%
Delhi – 11%
Mumbai – 9%
Pune – 7%

Is There High Demand in Smaller Cities?

The demand for these apps has also surged in cities such as Lucknow, Chandigarh, Surat, Coimbatore, Patna, and Guwahati. This clearly indicates that this trend is no longer confined solely to major metropolitan areas; rather, it reflects a shift in the mindset of people in smaller cities as well.

Is There a Growing Presence of Women?

Many of these apps view the increasing participation of women on their platforms as a form of empowerment. Such apps are often free for women, thereby providing them with a safe and balanced environment. However, this also raises a significant question: Does this truly constitute women's empowerment, or is it merely an attempt to fulfill emotional needs that remain unmet within existing relationships?

What is the Statement from Gleeden India?

Sybille Shiddell, Country Manager for Gleeden India, states: "In India, marriage is held in high regard as a sacred institution; yet, people are increasingly turning to platforms like these to seek emotional expression and self-validation. This represents a silent, ongoing transformation in the nature of relationships."

"We may debate the moral implications—whether this is right or wrong—but the undeniable truth is that the true reality of modern relationships is no longer being captured in words, but rather in data. The very definition of relationships in India is undergoing a silent metamorphosis—a transformation that continues unabated. What people once considered shameful is now, today, becoming a mainstream trend."