As swipe fatigue intensifies among Indian singles, a resurgence of “old-school” dating is gaining real traction – especially in cities where offline meet-ups are replacing endless scrolling and ghosting. Platforms hosting curated singles’ events say they’re seeing meaningful activity, while analysts point to growing disillusionment with app-based matchmaking.
For example, since mid-last-year, Bengaluru singles have been increasingly logging out of dating apps and signing up for in-person mixers. One organiser noted: “Online dating is getting outdated … Swipe fatigue among men who are frustrated with endless swiping and few matches, and conversely, match overload among women who feel overwhelmed by numerous matches and potential catfishers.”
The trend reflects wider frustration with conventional dating-app dynamics. A 2024 YouGov survey in India found that two out of three app users had never met a match in person, while many cited fake profiles and mismatched intentions as core issues. The limitations of digital matchmaking are especially acute in urban markets, where singles report the experience feels more like an interview than a connection – something that may have been exacerbated by how few “alternative” styles of dating apps were readily accessible until very recently.
Given that India’s dating market is the current hot focus for a lot of dating app companies, these shifts in preferences and dynamics are notable, but aren’t a complete rejectio nof dating apps. Dating platform strategies are often evolving to match them; many are introducing hybrid models that marry digital discovery with in-person experiences. Industry watchers say this dual-stream approach may address both quantity and quality by giving users pathways for meaningful interaction beyond the swipe.
