India, Jan. 4 -- Stepping into 2026, love continues to blossom, and while there are certain concepts that will change in the dating scene, some will remain constant even this year. Insights from relationship experts and recent surveys reveal the five trends that are set to shape how singles date, connect, and commit this year. The year gone was all bout the dating terms like: freak-matching, ghostlighting, future-proofing, embarrassing to have a boyfriend, and mirrored the emotional chaos of modern romance. But as 2026 begins, a Tinder survey shows young daters are craving the opposite - clear communication, emotional honesty, and stable, committed relationships. Matchmaker and relationship coach Radhika Mohta notes that the era of mindless swiping is losing its appeal. "People are no longer satisfied making decisions based on three pictures and a bio," she explains. According to the same survey, Indian singles are increasingly bonding over common passions: curating playlists together, swapping food recommendations, and discovering shared tastes on dating apps. Food, in particular, remains a powerful connector: debating the best biryani in town or planning a casual coffee date continues to be one of the most effortless ways to spark conversation and chemistry. In 2026, the eldest of Generation Alpha (born roughly 2010-2024) are entering their mid-teens. Their approach to relationships - friendships, 'situationships,' and early dating - is being defined by a unique blend of hyper-digital fluency and a protective 'unplugging' instinct. Relationship coach Chetna Chakravarthy says, "Having grown up in a digital fishbowl, this generation views privacy as the ultimate luxury. They've moved past Gen Z's oversharing, opting for stealth connections and private group chats over public posts. Influenced by 'therapy culture,' they practice extreme intentionality, using 'clear-coding' to set boundaries early and avoid drama. While they use AI as social coaches to rehearse vulnerability, they crave 'dopamine detox' dates, prioritising phone-free, real-world presence." Large singles events and bar-based meetups are steadily losing relevance. Mohta points out that singles fests hosting hundreds of people feel increasingly impersonal. Smaller, activity-led gatherings like walkathons, breakfast meetups, workshops, and pottery classes are gaining ground for allowing intimate conversations. Chakravarthy agrees, predicting that love in 2026 will be found in intentional spaces such as conferences, festivals, wellness events, and sports meets. Apart from that comes the rise of dating terms and trends. Will that continue this year as well? Chetna thinks it would. "I think these trends and terms are packaged as new bottles, but inside, it is the same old wine. Situationships used to be called 'friends with benefits' once upon a time. Many words will trend, but the state will mostly remain the same. Women wanting men of a certain calibre and men finally catching up to the new level set will be a work in progress through 2026," she says....