When CA Paras Tambi cradles his 4-month-old son Yuven at 3 AM, whispering lullabies while gently pacing the living room, he knows this is more than just parenting, it’s presence. “There’s no manual for this,” he says, “but I’ve come to realise that presence is everything. I may not be able to be a mom, but I can be an equal parent, emotionally available, supportive, and actively involved.”
This Father’s Day, a quiet yet powerful shift is underway. More Indian fathers are embracing roles traditionally reserved for mothers, becoming primary caregivers, managing the home, and reimagining what it means to be a provider.
Unseen revolution
Once considered unconventional, stay-at-home dads (SAHDs) are slowly but steadily becoming visible in India’s urban landscape. While hard data is still emerging, a 2024 survey by the Centre for Social Research noted a 23% rise over the last five years in men taking career breaks to support their partners’ professional growth or to co-parent full-time, especially in metros like Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, and Gurugram.
Dr. Rukmini Sen, a sociologist at Ambedkar University, explains, “We are seeing an emerging class of educated, urban men choosing caregiving roles, not because they have failed professionally, but because they’re reimagining masculinity and partnership.”
For Paras, fatherhood isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up. “From diaper duty to doctor visits, I’ve been fully present. It’s not a compromise. It’s a privilege.”
Sparsh Rastogi, father to 2-year-old Raaya, shares how becoming a stay-at-home dad shifted his entire perspective. “Watching my daughter smile, work hard, care for the family, and handle everything with such grace fills me with awe,” he says.
“For me, being at home isn’t a fallback, it’s a front-row seat to watch her become her own person.” From managing meals to soothing tantrums, the mundane becomes meaningful. “These aren’t chores,” he adds, “they’re moments of connection, trust, and love.”
A growing number of Indian men echo this sentiment, trading long commutes for cuddle time, spreadsheets for bedtime stories.
Role reversal
For Simran Bhatnagar, a digital content creator, having a stay-at-home dad growing up gave her a rare, rich childhood. “My father worked from home while my mother went to the office. He used to pack our lunches, help us with homework, and manage everything at home,” she recalls.
“I was raised by him more than my mom. Roles were reversed in our home, and I’ve always felt so proud of that.”
In homes like Simran’s, gender roles didn’t dictate who nurtured or who cooked—they were fluid, natural, and equal.
Sameer Ali, a Hyderabad-based voiceover artist, left his ad agency job in 2022 when his wife’s startup began to scale. “I realised we didn’t both need to chase the corporate grind,” he says. “So I started freelancing from home and took over full-time care of our twin daughters. The initial weeks were tough—but now, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
He shares how school drop-offs, dance recitals, and lunchbox routines have deepened his bond with his daughters. “My girls run to me when they’re hurt, or when they’re proud. That trust? You can’t buy that. You earn it by being there.”
In Chennai, freelance motion designer Nikhil Narayanan also made a similar pivot. “My wife is a doctor with unpredictable shifts. Early in our marriage, we agreed that I’d handle the bulk of childcare. I didn’t expect to enjoy it this much,” he laughs.
“My son’s first steps happened on a random Tuesday afternoon while I was making dal. I got to witness that. That’s priceless.”
Breaking myths
Despite these heartening stories, many stay-at-home dads still battle societal judgment. From intrusive questions like “Don’t you feel less manly?” to assumptions that they’re unemployed, the road to acceptance isn’t easy.
A 2023 survey by the Indian Parenting League found that 63% of men who took up primary caregiving roles felt socially isolated, and 74% reported being asked intrusive or dismissive questions about their choice.
“We’ve glorified the ‘provider father’ for so long that anything softer is seen as weak,” notes gender rights advocate Rituja Mehta. “But emotional labour, patience, and nurturing are strengths, not shortcomings.”
Quiet revolution
While these fathers may not be the majority yet, their stories signal a cultural pivot toward shared parenting, emotional fluency, and dismantling gendered expectations.
It’s not just about men “helping out.” It’s about them being equally responsible, emotionally invested parents. And their children? They grow up seeing care as a human responsibility, not a gendered one.
Sparsh sums it up best: “The most meaningful legacy I can leave isn’t in earnings or accolades, but in memories made, love given, and values shared.”
Did You Know?
India’s male participation in unpaid caregiving rose by 36 minutes/day between 2019 and 2023, according to a UN Women regional study.
South Korea and India saw the fastest growth in stay-at-home dads among G20 countries from 2020 to 2024, though absolute numbers remain low.
Instagram and YouTube have seen a 40% rise in Indian content tagged #DadLife and #PapaGoals in 2024.
