The prevalence of extramarital affairs is on the rise in India. A recent report has revealed some surprising data, with a city outside of the usual suspects taking the top spot. Instead of the expected Delhi or Mumbai, the city of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu leads the list. Last year’s leader, Mumbai, didn’t even make the top 20 this year. Delhi, however, has a strong presence, with multiple areas in the Delhi-NCR region featuring on the list.
The dating website Ashley Madison’s report indicates that Kanchipuram jumped from 17th place in 2024 to 1st place in 2025. This city has the highest number of users registered on extramarital affair platforms in India.
The report includes a list of cities with high instances of extramarital affairs.
The legal status of extramarital relationships changed in 2018, when the Supreme Court ruled that consensual relationships between adults are no longer considered a crime. However, these relationships can still be grounds for divorce and can be considered a form of mental cruelty.
According to Ashley Madison’s Chief Strategy Officer, Paul Keable, the stigma associated with extramarital affairs is diminishing in India. People are becoming more open to different relationship dynamics. These affairs aren’t always solely about physical intimacy; they may be a way to address emotional needs. These affairs can have a negative impact on the well-being of couples and, importantly, on children.