GLOBALIZATION AND ECONOMIC CHANGE IN THE NOVELS OF CHETAN BHAGAT

This research paper examines the "Bhagat Phenomenon" as a defining sociocultural and economic landmark in contemporary Indian English literature. Moving beyond traditional literary criticism, the study explores how Chetan Bhagat’s narratives serve as a functional map of India’s neoliberal era, particularly following the 1991 economic liberalization. By analyzing core texts such as Five Point Someone, One Night @ the Call Center, and Revolution 2020, this paper illustrates the shift from the post-colonial "Great Indian Novel" to a new genre of "Marketplace Fiction." The investigation employs an interdisciplinary approach, blending textual analysis with socio-economic data regarding the rise of the IT and BPO sectors. It highlights the transformation of the university into a "human capital" factory and the emergence of a "nocturnal economy" that reshapes Indian identity. Key themes include the commodity of grades, the psychological toll of precarious labor, and the tension between traditional ethics and capitalist ambition. Ultimately, the paper argues that while Bhagat’s work celebrates the mobility offered by globalization, it simultaneously documents the erosion of morality and the mental health struggles of an aspirational middle class. This research provides a comprehensive look at the "New Indian Subjectivity" navigating a globalized world.