The Middle Class Is Breaking - Here’s Why | Ft. Saurabh Mukherjea

About this episode

Anupam Gupta discusses the pressures facing India's middle class with Saurabh Mukherjea and Nandita Rajhansa, exploring economic challenges and emerging opportunities.

In this episode of Paisa Vaisa, Anupam Gupta speaks with Saurabh Mukherjea, Founder, Marcellus Investment Managers, and Nandita Rajhansa, Economist, Marcellus Investment Managers, about their latest book Breakpoint. The conversation explores the growing pressure on India’s middle class from falling real wages and rising personal debt to a changing job market shaped by automation and AI. They discuss why traditional white-collar jobs are becoming less reliable, how the supply of graduates is outpacing demand, and why India may have “work” but not enough stable “jobs.” The episode also looks at behavioral shifts, including consumption-driven debt and stock market participation, and the risks they pose. Despite the challenges, the guests highlight emerging opportunities in entrepreneurship, gig work, and new business models. A must-listen for anyone navigating careers, money, and the future of work in India. From decoding your personal finances to demystifying business models, Paisa Vaisa delivers candid, insightful, and jargon-free conversations. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana & more Watch full episodes right here…

People in this episode

Host: Anupam Gupta

Guests: Saurabh Mukherjea, Nandita Rajhansa

Topics covered

• middle class
• personal finance
• job market
• automation
• entrepreneurship
• debt
• economic challenges

Keywords

• middle class
• real wages
• personal debt
• job market
• automation
• AI
• entrepreneurship
• gig work
• business models

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Marcellus Investment Managers

Books & works: Breakpoint

More episodes of Paisa Vaisa with Anupam Gupta

• How do NBFCs approve loans with zero current income? · June 8, 2026 · 47 min
• The Hidden Economics Of Entertainment (Bollywood) · June 1, 2026 · 58 min
• AI Could Soon Handle Payments For You | Paisa Vaisa · May 25, 2026 · 49 min
• What India Needs to Fix for the Next Decade · May 18, 2026 · 47 min
• How axio Grew During India’s Fintech Boom ft. Sashank Rishyasringa · May 11, 2026 · 51 min
• How Regulation Is Building India’s Next Big Investment Market · April 27, 2026 · 48 min