Kancheepuram retains top spot in India's infidelity rankings
Kancheepuram has again recorded the highest Ashley Madison sign-ups in India for May 2026.
Kancheepuram, the Tamil Nadu city known for its temples and sarees, is becoming a prominent witness of India’s changing attitude towards marriage and monogamy. It has once again emerged as India's leading city for sign-ups on Ashley Madison, a dating platform that caters to people seeking extra-marital and discreet relationships.
According to Ashley Madison's latest data for May 2026, Kancheepuram saw the maximum number of sign ups. This is the city's second consecutive top rank on the list. Last summer too, it was identified as the top spot for interest in extra-marital affairs.
This year, Kancheepuram is followed by Coimbatore, Tiruvallur and Chennai, highlighting the continued dominance of South Indian cities in the platform's rankings.
Take a look at the full list:
In another significant development, India now ranks third among 20 countries for the app’s membership sign-ups. Last year, the rank was 8.
This is not the only proof of India’s growing interest in discreet dating. Earlier this year, Gleeden - a dating platform aimed at people seeking relationships outside marriage - announced that it had crossed 4 million subscribers in India.
These numbers point to a broader shift. The perception of marriage and relationships is evolving in India, and is not limited to metropolitan cities.
"India's rise from eighth to third globally for membership sign-ups reflects a broader shift in how adults are approaching connection, privacy and personal autonomy. What's particularly interesting is that interest is no longer limited to traditional metro hubs. Cities across different regions of the country are increasingly shaping the conversation, demonstrating that the desire for discretion and meaningful connections transcends geography,” said Paul Keable, Chief Strategy Officer at Ashley Madison.
In 2024, Gleeden surveyed 1,503 married Indians aged 25 to 50 across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities to examine evolving attitudes toward marriage and infidelity. The study found that more than 60 per cent of respondents were open to non-traditional relationship practices, including swinging - a consensual activity in which singles and people in committed relationships engage in sexual experiences with others for recreation.
While the growth of such platforms in major metropolitan centres may be expected, Kancheepuram's prominence is more surprising. The city is best known for its temples and silk sarees. However, relationship expert Ruchi Ruuh argues that these very characteristics may help explain the trend.
"Kancheepuram's close-knit, traditional and relatively affluent community may find appeal in the discretion and anonymity that such platforms offer," she says. The influence of nearby Chennai, which has consistently ranked high in the usage of dating and partner-seeking apps, along with rising digital access and awareness, could also be contributing factors.
Kancheepuram, the Tamil Nadu city known for its temples and sarees, is becoming a prominent witness of India’s changing attitude towards marriage and monogamy. It has once again emerged as India's leading city for sign-ups on Ashley Madison, a dating platform that caters to people seeking extra-marital and discreet relationships.
According to Ashley Madison's latest data for May 2026, Kancheepuram saw the maximum number of sign ups. This is the city's second consecutive top rank on the list. Last summer too, it was identified as the top spot for interest in extra-marital affairs.
This year, Kancheepuram is followed by Coimbatore, Tiruvallur and Chennai, highlighting the continued dominance of South Indian cities in the platform's rankings.
Take a look at the full list:
In another significant development, India now ranks third among 20 countries for the app’s membership sign-ups. Last year, the rank was 8.
This is not the only proof of India’s growing interest in discreet dating. Earlier this year, Gleeden - a dating platform aimed at people seeking relationships outside marriage - announced that it had crossed 4 million subscribers in India.
These numbers point to a broader shift. The perception of marriage and relationships is evolving in India, and is not limited to metropolitan cities.
"India's rise from eighth to third globally for membership sign-ups reflects a broader shift in how adults are approaching connection, privacy and personal autonomy. What's particularly interesting is that interest is no longer limited to traditional metro hubs. Cities across different regions of the country are increasingly shaping the conversation, demonstrating that the desire for discretion and meaningful connections transcends geography,” said Paul Keable, Chief Strategy Officer at Ashley Madison.
In 2024, Gleeden surveyed 1,503 married Indians aged 25 to 50 across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities to examine evolving attitudes toward marriage and infidelity. The study found that more than 60 per cent of respondents were open to non-traditional relationship practices, including swinging - a consensual activity in which singles and people in committed relationships engage in sexual experiences with others for recreation.
While the growth of such platforms in major metropolitan centres may be expected, Kancheepuram's prominence is more surprising. The city is best known for its temples and silk sarees. However, relationship expert Ruchi Ruuh argues that these very characteristics may help explain the trend.
"Kancheepuram's close-knit, traditional and relatively affluent community may find appeal in the discretion and anonymity that such platforms offer," she says. The influence of nearby Chennai, which has consistently ranked high in the usage of dating and partner-seeking apps, along with rising digital access and awareness, could also be contributing factors.
