Ashhar Alam

If you feel like swiping endlessly on dating apps without much progress, you’re not alone. A recent survey by Indian dating app QuackQuack shows that 37% of Indian daters are now embracing the so-called “sunset clause”, a clear, time-bound plan for how long they’ll remain active on dating platforms before reassessing or stepping back.

The survey, which included 7,583 active users aged 22–35 from Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities, reflects a dating culture that’s growing increasingly mindful of time, emotional energy, and burnout.

The sunset clause encourages singles to decide upfront how long they want to date online, commonly six months to a year, or “until I meet the right one.” According to the survey, 28% of daters reported that having a defined exit plan helped them find meaningful connections faster, as conversations became more intentional.

Alongside this trend, 41% of daters say alignment on career pace, ambition, and work-life balance is now a key factor in choosing a partner. As professional commitments take up more of daily life, daters are prioritizing conversations about long-term goals and lifestyle compatibility.

Interestingly, millennials above 30 are connecting over shared nostalgia, from 90s and early-2000s music to childhood experiences and pre-social-media dating norms. Another notable trend is “connection reviews”, about 18% of women and 11% of men aged 25–35 now periodically evaluate communication, emotional satisfaction, and whether expectations are being met.

ALSO READ: Mahmud Akram: the boy who knows 400 languages

Taken together, these trends suggest that modern Indian daters are moving away from mindless swiping and towards a more intentional, self-aware approach to finding love.