In the summer of 2019, the world's largest democracy goes to polls to elect India's Prime Minister for the next 5 years. World over, the Indian elections take centre stage as an estimated 850 million people will cast their votes making this the largest democratic exercise in world history. For context, that's almost triple the entire population of the United States. 

And, a rather large chunk of this will be of people between 18-35 years old making it the largest group of millennials worldwide to vote a state leader into office. Lastly, perhaps most importantly, Indian women are voting in greater numbers than ever before, with profound implications for campaigning and policy-making in the country.

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India's shifting realities are in greater focus when reflecting on the past, when voting was a collective family affair where youngsters simply voted for the candidate their family was loyal to, without any questions asked. But as they say, 'The times they are a changing', millennials are voicing their independent opinion on most things in their lives including political preferences.

Recently though, we got hold of fairly interesting data, where voting and millennials are concerned. According to the dating app OKCupid, that matches single millennials on the basis of shared values and belief systems, millennials are very socially aware and political in nature. The app released information on whether political beliefs affect the dating lives of individual youth in the country.

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The discovery was that yes, Indian millennials are politically aware, but slightly less invested, and would willingly support any cause that they feel strongly about. But politics or political leanings are definitely not a deal breaker when it comes to relationships or dating. Surprisingly enough, politics and love do not correlate for daters on the app to the point that politics is the least favourite topic of conversation for people meeting both online or offline.

Another surprising element to emerge from the data was how women are far more mindful about the political leanings of the person they date, compared to men. Men do not seem to care what the women they date think about politics or who they support! But women are a lot more concerned when it comes to politics. I guess, men are more laid back and chilled and don't really care about any form of political inclination to date someone.

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But one thing that clearly stands out was the stance men take on people not voting at all in the country. Although they don't care what someone's political inclination is but they are mindful about casting votes. In fact, 51% of men believe that there should be some kind of penalty for people who don't vote. Yes, agreed we live in a democracy and everyone should have the right to practice and preach what they believe in but this belief stems from the fact that people comprise the democracy and it's equally important to vote, in order to see it flourish.

But here's a stark contradiction from the data gathered. A staggering 78 per cent men and 75 per cent women say that voting is very important to them, while only 17 per cent men and 19 per cent women think it's not so important (and for the remaining, not important at all!). While both men and women don't encourage political agendas where relationships and dating is concerned, a lot do feel it's important to vote, and some do feel there should be a penalty for those who don't!.

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But that's the thing. While men and women do feel voting is fairly important, it may not come as a shock that a majority of men (64 per cent) and women (62 per cent) don't enjoy discussing politics at all. They might be aware, but choose not to make this heated topic of conversation typical of bedroom or dining table discourse. And that's a fact. Yes, most dating apps have the option to list your political inclination but which conversation ideally starts with 'who are you voting for or who did you vote for.'? It's a basic standpoint that politics and dating really don't mix if you want to take it ahead smoothly, instead of having heated arguments over it.

Here are some more questions that were raised through the app towards young men, and here's the data accumulated for that:

Would you risk your life to protest against an unjust government or for a cause that you feel strongly about?

57 per cent men are willing to risk their lives to fight for their rights or for a cause they truly believe in. All they need is a little push to bring out the activist in them.

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Do you believe it is important to stay informed about political issues affecting your nation?

Yes, 92 per cent men believe it's important to stay informed. After all, an aware citizen has the ability to make informed choices.

However informed the people might be, when it comes to dating, Indian millennials are undeterred by politics and do not want to make it a part of their life, or rather love life. 

Could you date someone who has (and acts on) radical-left or right politics?

A majority of people are open to dating someone who has a strong political inclination for the right or left wing (43 per cent men and 37 per cent women) as long as it's not violent. Some people though would not think about it (25 per cent men and 29 per cent women). The remaining (20 per cent men and 25 per cent women) are not sure and others would rather not comment (12 per cent men and 9 per cent women).

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Could you date someone who has strong political opinions that are the exact opposite of yours?

Surprisingly, when it comes to dating a person, 54 per cent women would like to match with partners who share their political beliefs whereas only 21 per cent men care.

Which is more important for a good match? (Having similar political beliefs | having good *** | having similar hobbies)

Well, Indian millennials are quite clear about this one! Having good *** (86 per cent men and 75 per cent women) is far far more important than having similar political beliefs (14 per cent men and 25 per cent women) for a good match and happily ever after. 

Which of the following would you rather discuss with someone you just met? (Musical preferences | Political beliefs | Philosophical beliefs | Sports )

Given the choice of topics they would like to discuss when they first meet offline, a majority of users mentioned musical preferences (53 per cent  men and 55 per cent  women), followed by a much smaller chunk of people saying philosophical beliefs (32 per cent  men and 34 per cent  women), then sports (11 per cent  men and 4 per cent women) and lastly, political beliefs  (4 per cent  men and 7 per cent  women) being the least preferred topic.

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When you first talk online with someone, which of the following would you prefer to talk about? (*** | Politics & Current Events | Activities | Personal History or Experiences)

While meeting people online, daters would rather talk about personal history or experience (48 per cent  men and 50 per cent  women), personal hobbies and activities (44 per cent  men and 43 per cent  women). The least preferred topics of discussion online are *** (6 per cent men and 2 per cent women) or politics and current events (3 per cent men and 3 per cent women).

So, to summerise, while Indian men and women do feel politics is an integral part and social awareness is a must and that casting a vote is something that should be made mandatory, they do not let these beliefs seep into relationships and dating. They actually keep an open mind and follow the 'to each his own' philosophy in order to avoid discord, or choose someone on the basis of their political inclination. 

The youth is smart and 'woke', according to this well-orchestrated research and they actually know what they really want. So, in case you want some help looking for the right match, you know what to talk about and what to bring up, in a conversation.