The analysis of the sectoral composition of GDP and employment for the period 1950-2000 shows that there has been a growing 'tertiarisation' of the structures of production and employment in India. The author emphasises the 'catalytic' role that can be played by the tertiary sector, at least in the medium term, in employment generation and poverty alleviation. However, in the long run the simultaneous growth of the three sectors is desirable.