India, Nov. 16 -- In today's modern consumerist society, the idea of exclusivity, often associated with luxury, is used by brands in fashion, automobile, etc. But what if we told you that the idea is now being marketed by dating apps as well? Getting lost in hundreds of profiles on dating apps is now a thing of the past. Previously, Raya, an exclusive, private, membership-based social network app, also gained popularity as a dating app among several celebrities. It now also serves as a platform for professional networking and friendship. But now the market has invite-only dating and matrimonial apps that require payments, vetting of profiles, and thorough background checks. One such app, newly launched in India by the Match Group, is The League."We wanted to design a community where every match adds value to someone's life, not just their feed," explains Anukool Kumar, Senior Director. According to Anukool, applicants pay a fee, their profiles are verified using official email IDs or LinkedIn, and every applicant must be endorsed by an existing member. Once approved, members can subscribe to access The League's exclusive network. Applicants who aren't onboarded immediately are placed on a waitlist. Another app, Knot.Dating, which is an exclusive matrimonial app, takes it a step further. Jasveer Singh, CEO and founder, tells us that their onboarding funnel is built to filter for authenticity and intent. "You fill in your basic details, followed by KYC via DigiLocker using Aadhaar. Then, your profile is screened. After approval, our AI gives you a call - asking personal and lifestyle questions and suggesting compatible matches. Finally, you receive 4-6 curated matches each week." It is simple: when the pool is reduced to a certain number of people, it becomes easier to find individuals who are ambitious, emotionally intelligent, and respectful of others' time and energy. "It is less about exclusivity and more about intent and alignment," says Anukool. And when it comes to matrimonial apps, the criteria are much higher. For instance, Knot.Dating doesn't want everyone; they want the right ones. "If you're earning a good amount, you're likely at a mature life stage where marriage is not an experiment. Also, our plans start from Rs.50,000 and go up to Rs.5 lakh. If someone is investing that much, it's a strong indicator of intent. Together, these filters create a curated, high-intent community," says Jasveer....