A new survey of India-based professionals has put a price tag on what many respondents consider a “marriage-ready” man, with ₹25 lakh per annum emerging as the most common minimum salary benchmark.
According to a survey by Blind, an anonymous professional networking platform, 55% of respondents said a man should earn at least ₹25 lakh annually before being considered marriage-ready. Among unmarried respondents, the figure rose to 69%.
Singles set higher salary expectations
The survey found a clear difference between unmarried and married respondents. While 69% of unmarried professionals placed the minimum at ₹25 lakh per annum or higher, 48% of married respondents agreed with the same benchmark.
Nearly 29% of all respondents set the bar even higher, saying the minimum should exceed ₹50 lakh annually.
The responses were relatively similar across genders, with 67% of women and 59% of men placing the minimum salary at ₹25 lakh or more.
Survey reflects India’s tech workforce
Blind conducted the survey between August 4 and 11 among 1,473 India-based professionals on financial expectations surrounding marriage.
The respondents represent a relatively affluent section of India’s workforce, with 78% working at global technology companies, according to Blind.
The platform noted that an annual income of ₹50 lakh is earned by only a small proportion of taxpayers, suggesting that expectations among unmarried professionals may be considerably higher than the earnings of most Indians.
Dowry expectations also emerge
The survey also examined whether money or assets had changed hands from the bride’s side during respondents’ own weddings or weddings involving people close to them.
Around 51% said money or assets had been given, while one in five respondents put the value at ₹25 lakh or more. About 10% reported amounts exceeding ₹1 crore.
The responses differed by gender, with 67% of women saying money or assets had changed hands, compared with 50% of men.
Dowry remains illegal in India under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
Marriage expectations extend beyond salary
The findings suggest that financial expectations surrounding marriage may extend beyond a groom’s salary to assets, property, vehicles and wedding expenditure.
Blind said such expectations may sometimes be expressed indirectly, with expensive weddings or a person’s income and property becoming measures of social and financial status.
The survey, however, represents the views of professionals using the platform and should not be treated as a reflection of the marriage expectations of India’s entire population.