India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world and the concept of direct selling industry has become very popular now days and is very much accepted by almost all the countries of the world including India. In the direct selling industry, the goods are sold directly to the customers by eliminating the middlemen. The direct selling industry provides equal opportunity to the males and females as far as the business is concerned. Anyone who is of 18 years or above can join the business independently in India. The World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA) defines direct selling as “the marketing of products and services directly to consumers in a person-to-person manner, away from permanent retail locations”. The paper begins with the meaning of the term direct selling business. The basic objective of this paper is to study the role played by direct selling industry in the growth of Indian economy. The paper ends with conclusions.

KEYWORDS: Direct Selling Business, Employment Generation, Women Empowerment.