The Future of Intimacy: 1 in 3 Millennial Daters Say The Future of Relationships and Marriages Might be Changing

The app surveyed 10,340 active daters between 22 and 35 from metros, suburban, and rural areas of India. Participants came from all walks of life; from IT professionals and healthcare workers to people in finance and banking, sales and marketing, education and training, and even social media creators. The idea was to understand how people are redefining emotional connection and intimacy in today’s digital world.

The Founder and CEO of the app, Ravi Mittal, shared, "4 out of 5 daters today have a deeper understanding of themselves and their priorities are shifting. They are not anti-marriage, they are not anti-commitment; we need to understand that they simply want the freedom to choose what works best for them instead of following society's timeline and expectations."
Marriages, once an expectation and almost mandatory, are now becoming a choice. More than 39% of daters above 28 from metros and suburbs are of the opinion that marriage is no longer a life milestone; it is optional. The rise of virtual dating is proof that people are capable of loving each other regardless of any circumstances. 2 in 4 female users from metros also mentioned that it's a response to the changing socio-economic realities and the modern lifestyle. Commitment no longer requires physical proximity or a piece of paper. Avinash (29) said, "Marriage is not the end goal for me. I am very clear about that in my dating profile. For me, it's real connection and absolute commitment, and unlike what people love to believe, marriage doesn't automatically guarantee that."

2 out of 4 daters from Tier 1 and 2 cities shared that they believe technology will save romance in the near future. With the rising workload and hectic lifestyle, online dating might be the only way people can still remain connected. And contrary to popular belief, 28% of daters between 22 and 29 claimed that technology is doing the exact opposite of making love superficial; it is making love accessible to all, regardless of geographical barrier, time constraint, and even financial constraint. The stigma around meeting through online platforms is steadily disappearing; soon it is expected to be the 'new normal'. Alia, 29, a dentist, said, "After starting my own practice, I realised how quickly life can get extremely busy, and online dating was literally my only way of meeting someone or even socialising in general. And it can be surprisingly deep and meaningful if you intend to find a serious relationship. My guess is everyone goes virtual once life leaves very little me time."
Romance has evolved, and the rising number of long-distance and virtual relationships is proof. Over 26% of male daters from Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities disclosed that they have successfully maintained an online relationship even without meeting often in person. The perks of video dates, constant communication, and most importantly, choosing the right person who is on the same wavelength, are what help a relationship stick, claimed these men.
Daters who are active on online dating apps but have still not found one are using their single era as the perfect scope for self-growth. 6 in 10 respondents explained that every match that does not work, offers them valuable information about what they should or shouldn't do, and more importantly, about their preferences and non-negotiables. 23% of dating app users between 25 and 35 shared that spending over five months on any app, communicating with different people, can make you more self-aware, owing to the exposure to several perspectives. Advik, 27 year old marketing specialist from Bangalore, said, "You learn to talk better, you learn new things about yourself which you or the people who have been in your life forever could never notice; actually, just interacting with people online can help you heal past traumas because you hear their stories of hurting and healing. For me, I have learned to be more open and vulnerable without fearing judgment, both external and internal."