Abstract

Defining the «middle class» of a huge, diversified and socially complex country such as India is a real challenge. Most scholars believe that the Indian middle class will be the greatest contributor to consumption, and that it will make India one of the five most important global markets. Today, however, the Indian middle class is going through a contradictory phase. The rural middle class started growing stronger in the 1970s, especially at the political level. The economic reforms of the 1990s have further contributed to reinforcing the middle classes throughout the country.