'How can 28-year-old earn..': Investor's viral post highlights 'absurd' groom salary criteria in marriage market

A recent post by entrepreneur Vineeth K on X (formerly Twitter) has ignited a heated discussion about the rising salary expectations for grooms in arranged marriages, especially in the IT sector. His post highlighted the unrealistic financial demands placed on young men by prospective brides' families and their parents.

Vineeth's tweet expressed his frustration over how men earning less than Rs 1 lakh per month are often not considered suitable matches in the arranged marriage market. He wrote, "Salary expectations of grooms during wedding matches are insane. Those earning less than Rs 1 lakh per month in IT are not even being considered. The mindset of parents requires a reset. How can a 28-year-old earn Rs 1-2 lakh, have their car, and a house? Your generation had all these for retirement.”

The post quickly went viral, with many users resonating with his concerns about the financial pressures on young professionals. Several commented on how this trend often leads to exploitation and undue stress for men trying to meet societal and familial expectations.

One user commented, “Marriage is becoming one of the biggest crises in India. Parents need to be more reasonable. If this continues, more people will marry later, face challenges in having children, or may not marry at all.”

Another added, “It might be easier to earn Rs 1 lakh per month in cities like Bengaluru, but even that is barely enough to cover family expenses unless both partners are working. The cost of living in metro cities is too high.”

Others pointed out how layoffs and automation in the tech industry are already causing anxiety among young professionals. The additional financial demands of marriage only add to their burden.

This debate sheds light on the evolving dynamics of arranged marriages in India, with rising living costs, career uncertainty, and societal pressures creating a complex web of expectations that many find challenging to navigate.