Why finding love feels harder than ever for young Indians
- Sonali Kokra
- THE ECONOMIC TIMESUpdated: Jun 07, 2026, 13:39 IST IST
Kiara Aroda, 27, should not be single.
At first glance, it makes zero sense that a woman like her—armed with a master's degree from a university with less than 5% acceptance rate, eye-watering tax returns, generational wealth and a “face card” that is consistently ranked “fire” on Instagram—should describe herself as “chronically single”. In desi marriage mafia-speak, she is a catch. And yet, her last meaningful relationship was almost five years ago. “My besties and I are going to Bali to celebrate the fifth incel anniversary,” she says.
At first glance, it makes zero sense that a woman like her—armed with a master's degree from a university with less than 5% acceptance rate, eye-watering tax returns, generational wealth and a “face card” that is consistently ranked “fire” on Instagram—should describe herself as “chronically single”. In desi marriage mafia-speak, she is a catch. And yet, her last meaningful relationship was almost five years ago. “My besties and I are going to Bali to celebrate the fifth incel anniversary,” she says.
