In a country where marriage has traditionally been regarded as sacred and lifelong, a quiet digital shift appears to be underway. More than 40 lakh Indians have now joined Gleeden, the world’s first extramarital dating platform designed for individuals seeking discreet relationships outside their marriage or long-term partnerships.
Data shared by the platform shows that men make up around 65% of the user base, while women cover for the remaining 35%. The growing numbers indicate that digital platforms catering to private relationships are steadily gaining traction across the country.
Bengaluru leads the trend
Among Indian cities, Bengaluru has emerged as the biggest hub for users on the platform, contributing nearly 18% of the total user base. Hyderabad follows closely with around 17% of users.
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Other major urban centres also feature prominently. Delhi accounts for roughly 11% of users, while Mumbai contributes around 9%. Pune ranks next with approximately 7%.
Interestingly, the phenomenon is no longer limited to tier-1 metropolitan cities. The platform has also recorded increasing participation from tier-2 cities such as Lucknow, Chandigarh, Surat, Coimbatore, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Guwahati and Raipur. This suggests that discreet online relationships are gradually spreading beyond just India’s largest urban hubs.
Women are also joining the platform in larger numbers
One of the most notable trends behind the platform’s expansion is the sharp rise in female participation. Over the past two years, the number of women joining the app has increased by nearly 148%.
In a statement, Sybil Shiddell, Country Manager of Gleeden India, described the milestone as a significant moment for the platform’s growth in the country. She shares, “This demonstrates that digital adoption is growing rapidly and that there has been a quiet revolution in how people approach modern relationships. Stronger growth among women especially shows rising confidence and independence in their choices."
Usage patterns also reveal how people interact on such platforms. On average, users spend between one and one-and-a-half hours a day chatting. Activity peaks between noon and 3 PM and again between 10 PM and midnight, suggesting that many members log in during midday breaks or late at night when they have greater privacy.
User preferences show that men generally search for women aged between 25 and 30, while women tend to prefer men in the 30-to-40 age group. Many women also favour financially stable professionals such as doctors, senior executives and chartered accountants.
The growth of such platforms reflects a broader shift in how relationships are evolving in India. While marriage continues to hold deep cultural importance, digital spaces are increasingly offering individuals new ways to explore companionship and personal choices.
