28 per cent of divorced daters in India are open to remarriage: Rebounce

INDIA: India’s long-held unease with remarriage is beginning to soften, particularly in its cities, according to a new survey by Rebounce, a matchmaking app focused on divorced, separated and widowed singles.

The study found that 28 per cent of previously married daters are open to remarriage, signalling a gradual shift away from the stigma that has traditionally surrounded second marriages. Conducted between mid-November and mid-December among 5,837 respondents aged 28 to 50, the survey covered both metropolitan centres and smaller cities.

Women appear to be driving the change. More than 35 per cent of divorced women in Tier 1 cities said apps tailored for second marriages offered a safer and more comfortable route back into relationships, giving them greater control over partner choice and expectations. The data also suggests that women, despite facing greater social scrutiny, are clearer about what they want from a second marriage than men.

Among men aged 30 to 40, priorities are also shifting. Three in five respondents said emotional compatibility now mattered more than social approval, with many preferring to discuss goals and emotional alignment early on. About 21 per cent admitted they still struggle with vulnerability after a failed first marriage, though specialised platforms have made it easier to open up to partners with similar experiences.

Attitudes vary sharply by geography. Acceptance of remarriage is most visible in Tier 1 cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, where social pressure appears to weigh less heavily. In Tier 2 cities, resistance persists, albeit weaker than a decade ago.

Across both tiers, second marriages are marked by firmer boundaries and clearer intent. Three in four respondents said they actively prioritise personal boundaries, while 41 per cent said they now seek partners who complement, rather than complete, them.

“Remarriage was once seen as a compromise,” said Rebounce founder and ceo  Ravi Mittal. “What we are seeing now is a desire for healthier, more compatible relationships, shaped by experience rather than fear.”

The findings point to a generational reset: less driven by social sanction, and more by emotional clarity and individual choice.