India is a very culturally diverse country. People speak thousands of different languages (18 of them are major, and the official languages are Hindi and English). Most people (83%) practice Hinduism (a religion that originated in India), 12% are Muslims, there are also Sikhs, Buddhists, and millions of Christians.

The caste system still controls India's society. A person's social level is determined by birth, such as rulers, merchants, artisans and servants. There are also many people who fall outside of the caste system. These outcasts have no social or economic role. Despite India's growing economy, its large population keeps most people below poverty levels.

Over 80% of the Indian population are Hindu. Muslims represent about 10%, with other religions such as Buddism and Christianity making up the rest.

The life of Indians is centered in the family. Two or more adult generations often live together or occupy different floors of the same building.

Indians believe in sharing happiness and sorrow. A festival or a celebration is never constrained to a family or a home. The whole community or neighbourhood is involved in bringing liveliness to an occasion. A lot of festivals like Diwali, Holi, Id, Christmas, Mahaveer Jayanthi are all celebrated by sharing sweets and pleasantries with family, neighbours and friends. An Indian wedding is an occasion that calls for participation of the family and friends. Similarly, neighbours and friends always help out a family in times of need.

The basic clothing for most Indians, men and women, is still a simple draped cloth. By the way, the pajama came from India: men in northern India may wear a pants-and-shirt outfit called the pajama-kurta.

Women wear the sari. In Punjab, women wear a baggy pants-and-shirt outfit known as the salwar-kameez.

Western-style clothing has almost replaced traditional dress for men, especially in northern India.