Commitment is making a comeback in modern Indian romance

For years, modern dating in India was synonymous with choice, speed, and low stakes. Apps made meeting people easier than ever, but they also ushered in an era of casual connections and undefined relationships. Now, that tide appears to be turning. Across cities and age groups, commitment is quietly reclaiming its place at the centre of modern Indian relationships. However, it's not as a compromise, but as a conscious choice.

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Recent data by Aisle, India's homegrown dating app for meaningful relationships, in their study termed the "The Commitment Decade," suggests that commitment is no longer viewed as old-fashioned or restrictive. In fact, 97% of Indian women across generations say they prioritise commitment, compared to 80% of men — a gap that narrows as men grow older, rising to nearly 88%. Among millennial women in particular, the shift is unmistakable: 9 in 10 now prefer meaningful relationships over casual flings, and one in three plans to marry within a year of dating.

What’s driving this change is not pressure or tradition, but clarity. Emotional wellbeing has become non-negotiable, especially for younger daters. A striking 67% of Gen Z women say they would end a relationship over mental health issues, signalling a generation that values emotional safety as much as chemistry. For them, commitment isn’t about permanence at any cost; it’s about honesty, emotional maturity, and effort.

Across generations, certain red flags are now universally recognised. Inconsistent behaviour is called out by one in three respondents, followed by lack of effort and emotional unavailability. At the same time, emotional intelligence has emerged as relationship currency. The most valued qualities in a partner today are emotional maturity, shared values, and consistent communication and these traits are associated with stability rather than spontaneity.

Even dating norms are evolving to reflect this balance. Over half of women now prefer splitting the bill on a first date, reframing equality not just financially, but emotionally as well. Meanwhile, Gen Z continues to expand the definition of commitment itself: over 44% see therapy as a green flag, and three in four are open to marrying outside their religion.

In a landscape once dominated by casual connections, modern Indian dating is slowing down, asking better questions, and choosing depth over distraction. Commitment, it seems, never left; it just evolved.

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