Extramarital affairs have become increasingly common, with a recent report highlighting a significant rise in India. The city topping the list has surprised many, as it’s not Delhi or Mumbai, but a city in Tamil Nadu, South India. While Mumbai held the top position last year, it’s not even in the top 20 this time. Delhi, however, secured the second position, with nine areas in Delhi-NCR appearing on the list.
According to a report released by the dating website Ashley Madison, Kanchipuram surged to the top spot in 2025, after being at 17th place in 2024. This city now has the highest number of users signing up for extramarital affair platforms in the country.
The report also includes a list of other cities with high instances of extramarital affairs.
In 2018, the Supreme Court declared Section 497 of the IPC unconstitutional, stating that consensual relationships between adults are not considered a crime. However, such relationships can be grounds for divorce and can be considered mental cruelty in court.
Ashley Madison’s Chief Strategy Officer, Paul Keable, suggests that extramarital affairs are becoming more open in India, with people adopting a more liberal view of relationships. It’s often not just about physical relationships, but also an attempt to fill emotional voids. However, extramarital affairs impact not only couples but also children, potentially affecting their mental health.