The Ugly Side of Indian Matchmaking #2 – Rejecting Men Who Are Not from a Prestigious College (IIT/IIM), Here’s Why It’s Wrong

March 12, 2025
ARTICLE BY
Oendrila Kapoor
5 min read

Not an IIT/IIM Grad? Sorry, You’re Not ‘Husband Material’ 

In India, marriage isn’t about love anymore—it’s about finding a degree, a salary package, and a brand name.

💡 “We are only looking for IIT/IIM boys.”
💡 “He didn’t go to a top-tier college? Not good enough.”
💡 “Degree matters. Love comes later.”

It’s as if marriage has turned into a prestigious recruitment process—where a man’s worth is judged not by his values, personality, or emotional intelligence, but by where he studied.

🚨 Didn’t graduate from IIT or IIM? Congratulations, you’re not “good enough” for marriage.

This toxic mindset isn’t just unfair—it’s destroying real relationships, setting impossible standards for men, and turning marriage into a glorified resume shortlisting process. 

Let’s talk about why judging men by their college degree is one of the worst mistakes in Indian matchmaking.

🎓 When Did Marriage Become a College Admissions Process?

In India, the moment a girl’s parents start looking for a groom, the first thing they ask is:

💬 “Where did he study?”
💬 “IIT or IIM toh nahi hai? Then what’s the point?”
💬 “If he couldn’t make it into a top institute, how will he ‘provide’ for our daughter?”

Let’s be real—this isn’t about education.

🚨 It’s about social status.
🚨 It’s about flaunting an IIT/IIM husband like a trophy.
🚨 It’s about showing off to society: ‘My daughter got the best catch!’

But here’s the brutal truth:

1️⃣ A man’s degree doesn’t determine his success. Plenty of IIT/IIM grads struggle in life, and plenty of non-IIT/IIM grads build empires.
2️⃣ Top degrees don’t guarantee good character. A prestigious college doesn’t teach a man how to be a good husband.
3️⃣ This mindset is outdated. If a woman herself didn’t go to IIT/IIM, why is it mandatory for her partner?

🚨 Rejecting a man because of his college is just another form of classism—masked as "having high standards."

💰 The IIT/IIM Groom Obsession Is About Money—Not Love

Many families claim they want an IIT/IIM groom for education and intelligence—but let’s not lie to ourselves.

🚨 It’s about money.

💬 “IIT/IIM means a ₹50L+ salary package.”
💬 “MNC job? Green card? Perfect, our daughter will be set for life.”
💬 “Why settle for a simple businessman when she can get an investment banker?”

But here’s the problem:

Financial success isn’t exclusive to IIT/IIM grads. Some of the wealthiest, most successful people in the world didn’t go to top institutes.
A high salary doesn’t mean a good marriage. Being rich doesn’t make a man caring, loyal, or emotionally intelligent.
Marriage isn’t a financial upgrade. If your biggest concern is income, not compatibility, you’re setting up your daughter for an empty marriage.

💡 Stop treating grooms like IPO stocks and start looking at them as life partners.

🤦‍♂️ The Irony? Women Don’t Hold Themselves to the Same Standards

Here’s where things get even more unfair.

❌ A man who isn’t from IIT/IIM is considered “not ambitious enough.”
❌ But if the woman herself didn’t go to a prestigious college, it’s completely fine.

🚨 Why the double standard?

💬 If she doesn’t have an IIM degree, why is she rejecting men based on theirs?
💬 If she isn’t earning ₹50L+ herself, why does her husband have to?
💬 If she doesn’t own a house at 30, why is it a dealbreaker if the man doesn’t?

🔴 Wanting a successful partner is fine. But demanding a groom with a degree you don’t even have? That’s just hypocrisy.

🏠 The Bigger Issue: This Mentality is Hurting Good Men & Real Love

When parents filter out men based on degree and salary, here’s what happens:

💔 Amazing men get rejected for shallow reasons. A kind, hardworking, loving man is ignored because he didn’t go to a famous college.
💔 Women miss out on real compatibility. Instead of choosing someone who truly understands them, they end up with someone who looks good on paper.
💔 Marriages become status-driven, not love-driven. When the foundation of a marriage is money, degrees, and job titles, what happens when those things change?

🔴 If your love story starts with a resume filter, don’t expect it to end with a happy marriage.

🚀 Final Thoughts: Change the Mindset, Change Your Future

At the end of the day, a degree doesn’t build a happy marriage—emotional connection, shared values, and mutual respect do. 

If you’re done with the exhausting checklist approach to matchmaking and just want to meet someone who truly gets you, The Date Crew is here to help. Give dating a chance, not a checklist. Contact us Today. 

How Our Clients Found Their Person

From the first curated introduction to forever, discover how our expert matchmakers helped them navigate the journey and find a partner who truly matched their world

See Love Stories

I used to chase sparks and reject slow burns. TDC taught me to slow down, give people a fair chance, and see beyond first impressions. I nearly missed my now husband, but thanks to TDC, I saw who he truly was. We married in December 2024, and I’m glad I didn’t give up too soon.

Gayathri
29, Fashion Consultant, Paris

TDC helped me break free from the idea that my partner had to live nearby. Their coaching made me reconsider what really mattered, values and emotional alignment. I met my husband in Singapore, married within months. TDC helped me unlearn old patterns and choose right.

Shefali
31, Tech Recruiter, Gurgaon

Dating abroad with anxious attachment was tough. TDC helped me meet enough people, reflect after dates, and slowly rewire how I approach connection. I stopped chasing, found confidence, and now attract the kind of partner I really want, with more clarity and peace.

Anisha
31, Data Scientist, Germany

I used to push away the right people out of fear. TDC kept me focused on feelings, not just checklists. Their guidance helped me open up, and I married my match. In 2024, we had a baby boy. I’m grateful TDC believed in me as I learned to believe in love.

Debesh
33, Strategy Head, Jakarta
18+
Countries
1000+
Successful Matches
85%
Success Rate
4.9/5
Client Satisfaction
Let’s See if You're a Match!

We only accept candidates we believe we can match

Apply Now
Abhay & Apoorva matched at TDC