Nearly 500 cities set to become next economic hubs: FM Sitharaman

India’s middle class, comprising 31% of the population, is identified as the nation’s primary growth engine, driving nearly all consumer spending. This demographic is expanding annually at 6.3% and is increasingly found in tier-two and tier-three cities, not just metropolises. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted that around 500 cities are set to become new economic hubs, with government initiatives supporting AI-driven skill development to address job displacement fears.