Online dating platforms have rapidly grown in popularity across India, especially among young adults. While global research has explored user motivations and problematic use, limited studies have addressed these dynamics in non-Western settings. This study adapts and validates the Tinder Motivation Scale (TMS) in the broader Indian context. We also examined critical psychological motivations related to dating app usage. A cross-sectional, online survey was administered to 318 Indian adults who stated they had used dating applications previously or currently. The sample comprised 318 adults (140 women, 173 men, 5 non-binary; M age = 22.89, SD = 3.59), recruited via snowball sampling through social media platforms and email. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to assess the factorial validity of the adapted instrument. Multiple regression modelling was also employed to identify motivational predictors of frequent and problematic use of the dating app. CFA supported the original six-factor model. Motivations related to casual sex, love, and self-worth were all shown as significant predictors of both high use and problematic use. The study indicates that online dating apps are increasingly used as emotional and psychological outlets, rather than alone as a novelty. This study can provide culturally relevant frameworks of digital well-being for mental health education and app design policies that will address motivation rooted in emotions and improve the development of healthier ways to engage with online relationships.