India Today GDB Survey 2025: Insights into India’s Social Behavior and Attitudes

The India Today Gross Domestic Behaviour (GDB) Survey 2025 reveals India’s perspectives on gender equality, caste and religious biases, public safety, and civic sense.​

India Today, in collaboration with How India Lives and Kadence International, conducted the Gross Domestic Behaviour (GDB) Survey 2025 to understand the social attitudes and behaviors of Indians across various domains. The survey encompassed 9,188 respondents from 98 districts across 21 states and one union territory, providing a comprehensive overview of the nation’s collective mindset.​

Key Findings:

1. Civic Sense and Public Behavior:
   • Ticketless Travel: A significant 85% of respondents believe that traveling without a ticket in buses and trains is wrong. However, in the fiscal year 2023-24, Indian Railways reported 36 million cases of ticketless travel, resulting in fines totaling ₹2,231.74 crore.​
   • Bribery: The survey highlighted a concerning trend where individuals are willing to offer bribes to get work done, indicating persistent corruption issues in the system.
   • Digital Payments: There has been a significant shift towards digital transactions, with 76% of respondents preferring digital payments over cash. Delhi leads this change with 96% adoption.
2. Gender Attitudes:
   • Education Equality: An encouraging 93% of participants believe that daughters should have the same educational opportunities as sons.
   • Women Working: About 84% support women working outside the home, reflecting a progressive stance on women’s employment.
   • Decision-Making: Despite progressive views on education and employment, 69% feel that men should have the final say in major household decisions, indicating lingering patriarchal norms. ​
   • Domestic Violence: While 83% believe it’s unacceptable for a husband to beat his wife, 14% of women think otherwise, showcasing deep-seated patriarchal values.
3. Diversity and Discrimination:
   • Inter-Religious Marriages: A notable 61% oppose marriages between individuals of different religions, with only 37% in support. Regional disparities are evident; for instance, 90% in Chandigarh oppose such unions, whereas 94% in Kerala support them.
   • Inter-Caste Marriages: Similarly, 56% are against inter-caste marriages, and 43% are in favor. Chandigarh shows high acceptance with 91% support, while Uttar Pradesh has 84% opposition. ​
   • Employment Discrimination: Regarding hiring practices, 60% believe employers shouldn’t discriminate based on religion, but 39% think it’s acceptable. In Kerala, 88% oppose such discrimination, whereas 51% in Uttar Pradesh find it acceptable.
   • Neighborhood Diversity: About 70% are comfortable with neighbors from different religions, but 28% are not. West Bengal shows high acceptance at 91%, while 72% in Uttarakhand are opposed.
4. Public Safety:
   • Eve-Teasing Concerns: The survey delved into public safety perceptions, including concerns about eve-teasing and safety in public transport. However, specific statistics on these concerns were not detailed in the provided sources.

State Rankings on Diversity and Discrimination:

• Top 5 States Promoting Diversity:
  1. Kerala​
  2. Tamil Nadu​
  3. West Bengal​
  4. Maharashtra​
  5. Chandigarh​
• Bottom 5 States on Diversity Acceptance:
  1. Uttar Pradesh​
  2. Madhya Pradesh​
  3. Uttarakhand​
  4. Karnataka​
  5. Punjab​

Expert Insights:

Sociologist Professor Ravinder Kaur from IIT Delhi observes that while there are progressive views on women’s education and employment, traditional patriarchal norms still influence major household decisions. The mixed attitudes towards inter-religious and inter-caste marriages highlight the deep-rooted cultural values that continue to shape societal behaviors.

Conclusion:

The India Today GDB Survey 2025 provides a nuanced understanding of India’s social fabric. While there are strides towards progressive attitudes in areas like digital payments and women’s education, traditional beliefs and biases persist, especially concerning marriage and household decision-making. These insights underscore the need for continued dialogue and policy interventions to foster a more inclusive and equitable society.