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Lunch break chats to midnight peaks—inside India's 'secret dating' boom

With 40 lakh users and growing, an extramarital dating platform is gaining traction across India.

By Trisha Katyayan

Mar 28, 2026 16:05 IST

More than 40 lakh Indians have signed up on Gleeden, reportedly the world's first extramarital dating platform, pointing to a quiet shift in how relationships are being explored in the digital age.

Bengaluru leads user base

Among Indian cities, Bengaluru accounts for the largest share of users on the platform, contributing nearly 18 per cent of the total base. Hyderabad follows with around 17 per cent, reported News18.

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Other major cities also feature prominently. Delhi contributes about 11 per cent of users, while Mumbai accounts for roughly 9 per cent. Pune stands at around 7 per cent.

The trend is no longer limited to metros. Tier-2 cities such as Lucknow, Chandigarh, Surat, Coimbatore, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Guwahati and Raipur are also reportedly seeing rising adoption.

Women joining in growing numbers

One of the key trends is the rise in female users. Over the past two years, women joining the platform have increased by nearly 148 per cent.

According to Sybil Shiddell, Country Manager of Gleeden India, this milestone reflects changing attitudes and growing digital adoption. She said the growth signals a broader shift in how people approach modern relationships, with women showing greater confidence in making personal choices.

When users are most active

Usage patterns offer insight into behaviour on the platform. On average, users spend between one and one-and-a-half hours daily chatting.

Activity peaks during two time slots, between noon and 3 pm, and again from 10 pm to midnight. These periods suggest users are most active during lunch breaks or late at night when they have more privacy.

Preferences and patterns

The data also highlights clear preferences. Many men reportedly tend to look for women in the 25-30 age group. Women, on the other hand, often prefer men between 30 and 40 years old.

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Professional stability appears to play a role in these choices. Women users frequently show interest in professionals such as doctors, senior executives and chartered accountants.

A changing relationship landscape

The growth of platforms like Gleeden reflects wider changes in how relationships are evolving. While marriage continues to hold strong cultural value, digital platforms are creating new spaces for individuals to explore connections in private ways.

With participation rising across both large cities and smaller towns, the trend points to a gradual shift in how people navigate companionship and personal choices in India.

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