Urban India's 'commitment renaissance': 9 in 10 singles prioritise long-term relationships over casual dating

The era of the non-committal "situationship" is facing a swift end as urban India enters a full-blown "Commitment Renaissance". According to the 2025 report by Aisle, which surveyed 3,400 urban singles, 9 in 10 respondents now prioritise meaningful, long-term relationships over fleeting flings.

This seismic shift is led by an overwhelming 97% of women across both Gen Z and Millennial generations who have categorically rejected the "swipe-and-discard" culture of the last decade. While women are firm in their desire for stability, Indian men are undergoing an emotional evolution of their own, their commitment rates climb steadily with maturity, rising from 80.6% among Gen Z to 87.8% as they reach their millennial years.

This widespread "casual dating fatigue" is measurable, with 1 in 4 Indians actively reducing their frequency of low-stakes dating in just the past year. For those entering the dating pool now, the goal isn't just to find a partner but to find one with a clear timeline, as one in three millennials expresses a desire to move from the first date to marriage within a single year.

The drive for a committed partnership is even reshaping how the check is handled. Financial independence is now a core component of the romantic contract, with 53% of women preferring to split the bill to establish autonomy and ensure a relationship starts without the weight of unspoken "social debt".

While 42% of men still feel the traditional tug to pay, the growing consensus is that equal splitting, preferred by 42.8% of all respondents, is the healthiest way forward. This modern pragmatism extends to technology. Digital path to marriage has gained massive legitimacy—with 55.5% of singles witnessing app-to-altar success stories.

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