My stepfather got a multiple entry schengen visa from the Germans for free (since he was married to a German) with a max limitation of 90 day stay each time. It was also limited to two years. Indians won't get anything longer than that from the Germans.

The reason the Germans are so restrictive (in general) is that there has been massive abuse in the past and Germany seems to be the 'it' place for fake asylum seekers to head to. There is a large Punjabi community here (west and east ) who threw their passports away and claimed to be Khalistanis in the 80s to get asylum. The laws have been tightened since, but the fear of consular officers remains.

Also there were a few visa scandals in Ukraine and other eastern european German consular officers looking away when issuing visas for people who eventually stayed on in the EU.

So if you can, apply for a Benelux or French visa.