Justdial Data Reveals Hobby Surge: Archery Searches Up 140%, Pilates Up 134%, Libraries Up 129% YoY

• Archery classes recorded a 140% increase Pan-India, with Hyderabad seeing a 57% rise, Chennai 36%, and Mumbai 31%
• Pilates searches grew by 134% across India, led by Delhi with a 152% surge and Mumbai with 117%
• Public library searches jumped 129% Pan-India, with Bangalore witnessing the highest rise at 160%, followed by Chennai at 72% and Mumbai at 56%
• Resin art classes saw a 110% increase nationwide, with Mumbai searches up by 28% and Delhi by 26%
• Crochet classes doubled in demand across the country, with Mumbai driving a significant share of this growth.
• Mixed martial arts searches increased by 45% Pan-India, with Mumbai leading at 96%, followed by Bangalore at 72% and Delhi at 62%.
• Pottery classes grew 71% nationally, with Mumbai showing a 50% rise and Delhi 33%.

Bengaluru, September 1, 2025: India is witnessing a strong surge in interest for hobby and skill-based activities, reflecting a growing consumer focus on wellness, creativity, and personal enrichment. Insights from Justdial, India’s no.1 local search engine, reveal a sharp rise in searches for hobby-related classes during January–June 2025 (H1’25) compared to the same period in 2024. Archery classes saw the highest growth with a 140% surge, while Pilates followed closely with a 134% increase. Public libraries also made a strong comeback, with searches rising 129% across the country.

Interest in boxing and mixed martial arts is on a clear upward trajectory, with searches for MMA up 45% and boxing classes increasing by 31% Pan-India. Mumbai led MMA searches with a 96% rise, while Delhi recorded the highest interest in boxing classes at 55%. This surge comes at a time when India is preparing to host its first-ever Boxing World Cup in November 2025 in Greater Noida, which will see participation from over 80 countries, further cementing India’s growing sports culture.

Creative and mindful pursuits are equally on the rise. Pottery classes grew 71% Pan-India, with Mumbai leading the trend with a 50% spike and Delhi at 33%. This aligns with the growing preference for pottery as a stress-relieving and meditative outlet, offering a tactile way to relax and express creativity. Similarly, resin art classes registered a 110% increase, and crochet classes doubled in demand, indicating a revival of handcrafted artistry. These creative hobbies are being embraced as lifestyle choices that offer a sense of accomplishment and therapeutic value in a fast-paced urban environment.

The surge in hobby-related searches also highlights a strong focus on wellness. Pilates has become a major trend, with searches increasing by 134%, driven by Delhi at 152% and Mumbai at 117%. Archery, with its 140% spike, and the rising popularity of public libraries further underline India’s growing interest in balancing physical fitness, creativity, and cultural enrichment.

This shift reflects how Indians are reimagining their leisure time to include fitness routines, creative exploration, and mindful living. Justdial continues to play a pivotal role in connecting users with local businesses, studios, and hobby centres that cater to these evolving lifestyle preferences.

APPENDIX

Search trends for Spike in hobby activities in 2025 as compared to 2024

Archery Classes – 140% Pan India

• Hyderabad – 57%
• Chennai – 36%
• Mumbai – 31%

Art Galleries – 34% Pan India

• Delhi – 33%
• Mumbai – 26%

Boxing Classes – 31% Pan India

• Delhi – 55%
• Bangalore – 21%
• Hyderabad – 15%

Chess Coaching Classes – 28% Pan India

• Delhi – 43%
• Hyderabad – 28%
• Kolkata – 22%
• Bangalore – 13%
• Mumbai – 13%

Cookery Classes for Baking – 39% Pan India

• Mumbai – 47%

Crochet Classes – 100% Pan India

• Mumbai – 45%

Dance Classes for Bharatnatyam – 14% Pan India

• Bangalore – 35%
• Hyderabad – 26%
• Delhi – 25%
• Chennai – 17%

Institutes for Makeup – 30% Pan India

• Delhi – 47%
• Hyderabad – 37%
• Mumbai – 28%
• Pune – 24%
• Bangalore – 24%

Martial Arts Training Centre – 15% Pan India

• Delhi – 34%
  Bangalore – 34%
• Mumbai – 21%

Mixed Martial Arts – 45% Pan India

• Mumbai – 96%
• Bangalore – 72%
• Delhi – 62%

Pilates – 134% Pan India

• Delhi – 152%
• Mumbai – 117%

Pottery Classes – 71% Pan India

• Mumbai – 50%
• Delhi – 33%

Public Libraries – 129% Pan India

• Bangalore – 160%
• Chennai – 72%
• Mumbai – 56%
• Delhi – 45%

Resin Art Classes – 110% Pan India

• Mumbai – 28%
• Delhi – 26%

Yoga Classes – 7% Pan India

• Delhi – 19%
• Bangalore – 17%
• Chennai – 11%