Indian singles prioritise compatibility over tradition: Study

Nearly 40% of Indian singles show a willingness to move abroad in search of the right partner. This is in stark contrast with the fact that 70% of Indian parents want their children to marry within the country or eventually return to India. This was revealed in ‘Modern Matchmaking Report 2025’ released by Jeevansathi, an online match-making portal.

The study shows notable difference between how men and women think when it comes to partner selection. Nearly 47% of Indian men give preference to love and romance, whereas 39% of women look for compatibility in their partners. Contrary to popular notion, only about 11% of women regard financial stability as a critical partner selection criterion. Interestingly, while the singles in Delhi and Mumbai are found to be valuing romance, those in Bengaluru seem to be prioritising compatibility.

Examining the beliefs and perspectives of 21,000+ respondents, Jeevansathi survey captures the changing preferences among Indian singles with respect to their relationships, marriage, and partner selection. The study captures the changing attitudes of singles about the right age for marriage. The singles below 27 feel 27-30 years is the ideal age to get married. On the other hand, the older respondents and many parents stress finding the right partner over adhering to a strict timeline.

The report underlines the changing financial expectations among singles, with 72% of of them supporting the view of both sides sharing the marriage costs. Even Indian parents seem to be agreeing with this, indicating a deviation from the traditional system of placing financial burden only on one side of the family. However, about 17% feel that expenses should be covered by the side that desires a grand wedding.

Decision-making power in matchmaking too seems to have shifted, the study reveals. Only 4% of respondents state that their parents would have sole control over choosing their life partner, batting for autonomy in selecting a partner for marriage.

The beliefs in the role of Astrology in matchmaking are also undergoing changes. One in three respondents in Delhi considers kundli-matching (horoscope) essential, whereas the Mumbai singles seem to be giving more importance to personal compatibility.