India: Online Matrimonial and Dating Services (Promotion and Regulation) Bill 2026 (Bill No. VIII of 2026) introduced to Parliament

On 6 February 2026, the Online Matrimonial and Dating Services (Promotion and Regulation) Bill (Bill No. VIII of 2026) was introduced to the lower House of Parliament. The Bill would prohibit casual dating services and establish a regulatory framework for matrimonial services, including an operational licence requirement mandating registration with the Matrimonial Services Authority. The Bill would apply to online intermediaries offering dating or matrimonial services in India or targeting users in India. It would prohibit the offering, hosting, advertising, or financial facilitation of casual dating services, defined as platforms facilitating transient or non-committal romantic encounters through features such as swipe-based matching or algorithmic promotion of short-term interactions. Matrimonial services would be required to register with the Matrimonial Services Authority and comply with obligations on verified profiles, anti-harassment measures, age-appropriate matching, grievance redressal, and data protection standards. Offering casual dating services would be punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years and fines of up to INR 10’000’000. The Bill would also amend the Information Technology Act, 2000, to remove safe harbour protection for intermediaries hosting or facilitating prohibited casual dating services.