53% Indian singles say Valentine’s Day is just like any other day: Report

India’s homegrown dating app for meaningful relationships, has unveiled “Better Because of Love”, a new dating industry report on Valentine’s Day week. The study, by Aisle Network, examines how love, dating, and relationships are shaping emotional growth among modern Indian singles. Based on insights from 5,868 Indians, the report draws from a diverse generational mix of Gen Z (43%), Millennials (54%), and Gen X (3%), with respondents spanning Metro; Tier 1 cities (87%), NRI participants (9%), and Tier 2 & 3 markets (4%). The findings reveal a defining cultural shift: love in India is no longer about performance, pressure, or spectacle; it is increasingly about growth, intention, and becoming better as individuals.The report finds that 84% of Indians say love has made them better people, highlighting a shift away from fleeting attraction toward emotional development. Respondents most strongly associate love with becoming more patient (63.6%), better communicators (49.1%), more confident (44.2%), and more self-aware (40.1%). For many, relationships are no longer just about companionship, but about learning, regulation, and emotional resilience. These reframing positions love as a grounding force within today’s fast-paced, choice-saturated dating landscape, especially among Millennials and Gen Z, who are increasingly prioritising emotional clarity, balance, and intention in how they form serious relationships. “We have always believed that the right kind of love helps you grow and become the best version of yourself. What this report shows is a clear evolution in how the approach towards love changes and redefines different generations. Singles today aren’t running after big, dramatic gestures or seeking approval from others; they’re leaning toward relationships that feel safe, steady, and help them grow as individuals. Love is no longer the finish line; it is the force that shapes who we become," said Chandni Gaglani, Head of the dating app.Key Findings1. Love is more than just a feeling - it helps you grow● 84% say love has made them a better person● 63.6% became more patient; 49.1% better communicators; 40.1% more self-aware● 40.7% became more adjusting while 44.2% became more confident because of love● Women prioritize practical compatibility 73% more than men2. Valentine’s Day Hype Is Fading● 53% of singles treat Valentine’s day just like any other day● Men are 42% more likely to feel reflective about wanting a relationship (14.5% vs 10.2%), using Valentine’s Day as a moment for introspection.● 1% of men feel pressured on V-Day, while it is zero for women3. Romance Through Care, Not Grand Gestures● Women are 2x more likely to pamper themselves on V-Day (19.4% vs 9.4%), signalingself-care as a distinctly female response to being single.● 54% of women reject grand gestures, preferring acts of service● Men express love most through quality time (41.1%), women through acts of service (39.8%)● Millennials lead in quality time with 43.1% in comparison to 38.4% of Gen Zs● Men and Women want more acts of service than they give4. Emojis Are Losing Their Flirt Power● 50% of women don’t flirt using emojis● See-No-Evil Monkey and red heart emoji is used more by men in comparison to women(21.6% and 21.3% Vs 17.6% and 11.1%)● The progression from emoji-mediated courtship (73.2% Gen Z) to language-based clarity(32.1% Millennials) represents maturation in romantic communication.● Gen Z loves the See-No-Evil Monkey emoji as playful, non-committal, leaves room forplausible deniability5. Mother Tongue Carries Emotional Truth● 78.9% of men feel more comfortable expressing love in mother tongue while for women it is at 69.4%● Gen Z are more open to expressing love in their mother tongue compared to millennials(79.3% vs 77.1%)● 78% feel more emotionally expressive in mother tongue yet 89.3% use English toexpress emotions6. How do South and North express love?● People in North India (25.9%) are more likely than those in the South (18.4%) to have a Bollywood-influenced view of love.● Respondents in South India (34.1%) express love more through acts of service compared to North India (25.5%).● Those in the South (29.4%) are more inclined to use a mix of logic and emotion to decideon relationships, versus 21.9% in the North.Relationship expert Arouba Kabir said, “What may sometimes look like indifference in today’s singles is emotional growth and the newer generations are atleast trying not treating love as something that completes them, but as something that adds to an already meaningful life. They’re trying not to wait around for a date, a gift, or a relationship status to feel fulfilled; and they’re investing in friendships, passions, careers, and self-discovery. The inner dialogue is shifting from ‘Will love happen to me?’ to‘Who will I become when it does?’ It’s a more confident, grounded outlook where love is not a rescue, but a shared journey, chosen with clarity, entered with intention, and experienced with emotional readiness.”The report also brings forth character preferences for respondents to choose from that they relate with the most. A significant share of both men and women resonate with characters who are emotionally open, expressive, kind, and unafraid to long for love in simple, human ways. Among women, Geet (31.5%) stands out as the most relatable figure, a character known for her uninhibited honesty, emotional clarity, and fearless approach to love. Men prefer Bunny (17.7%), Raj (14.8%), and Surinder(14.4%) all characters who ultimately choose emotional connection, sincerity, and vulnerability over detachment, see strong relatability. Together, these preferences show that modern Indians don’t just admire grand romantic gestures, they identify with characters who feel deeply, express freely, and remain hopeful about love despite complexities. It signals a cultural softening where emotional openness, kindness, and the courage to love sincerely are becoming aspirational traits across genders.