20 April,2026 04:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic
The dating culture is constantly changing. From curated posts, over-the-top proposals, and dramatic reveals to a new era of quiet romance.
According to survey data from India's most popular dating app, QuackQuack, 38 per cent of daters today seek emotionally grounded and calm love. The study shows that modern dating is shifting from spectacle to sincerity.
The app's founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, said, "We have been saying this one thing over and over again, the way people approach love today is so much different from what it used to be, not even a decade, maybe four to five years back. Young daters are not chasing cinematic moments; they are so self-aware that they know what's realistic and what looks good only in reels. There's a lot of focus on emotional safety. There's no jumping in the deep blindly anymore."
The survey was conducted among 8,948 active daters between 22 and 35 from the metropolitan and suburban regions of India. Data was collected through online polls, behavioral insights, and dating patterns seen on the app.
The study highlights new trends, emotional preferences, and dating styles among Gen-Z and Millennial dating app users.
No more planned social media posts to let the world know how successful your love life is, say 36 per cent of male and female daters from both Tier 1 and 2 cities. Singles today are finding subtle ways to announce that they are single no more. 4 in 10 daters revealed they posted a silhouette, a hand-on-hand picture, or a very subtle post that hinted they have found their one. This trend is not about secrecy; young couples are trying hard to keep their love life away from unsolicited advice and judgment. Some even cited being afraid of jealous people as the reason for keeping things low-key.
Anika (27) from Delhi, said, "I have done the grand 'found my love' before, and when things ended, it felt like public disgrace. I even felt pressured to keep things going because so many people already knew about us. This time, I am choosing to soft-launch my partner, and that too after a significant period of time. It will give the relationship time to breathe and grow organically, if it is destined to. Or else, we can even peacefully drift apart instead of feeling obligated to stay together."
A new trend among young daters is putting their pets front and center. Whether it is a profile photo with their dog, slipping their cat's antiques into a conversation, or mentioning their first pet in their bios, daters are adding emotional warmth and relatability through the love for their pets. What might seem like "just a cute photo" is doing a lot more BTS. Approximately 35 per cent of women between 25 and 35 revealed that they feel more comfortable with people who show affection and kindness toward animals. It shows empathy, a higher EQ, and the capacity to love something without expecting much in return.
Anushka, a 28-year-old professor from Delhi, said, "We are living in a world of vulnerabilities. But when I see a man who cares so much for his pet, one of the most vulnerable things, I feel more at ease with him. I think it's now an entry point to deeper conversations and letting down the guard."
The Indian dating app highlighted that matches with pet-related discussions experienced 24 per cent longer interaction, suggesting higher emotional comfort.
Five years ago, detachment and playing it cool did the job. But 2026 is bringing back yearning. About 39 per cent of men and women from Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kochi, Indore, Pune, and Ahmedabad voted "the return of yearning" as one of the best shifts in the dating world. About 8 out of 10 daters don't want nonchalant; they want a person who is not afraid to feel deeply, invest emotionally, and verbally express their interest.
The idea is not to rush, but to focus on one quality match over quantity. The yearners don't jump from match to match; they stick to the one they are yearning for and are not afraid to go the distance for them.
