In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to Amit Basole, Professor of Economics and Head, Centre for Sustainable Employment and the lead author of the State of Working India report. They talk about why India’s unemployment challenge remains unresolved, why fixing the employment crisis goes beyond grand economic reforms, touching on issues like local governance, municipal underfunding, and the lack of coordination between ministries and levels of government. They also delve into what India’s demographic trends imply for the future, and whether the country risks “growing old before growing rich.” Tune in for insights into one of India's most urgent and complex economic problems.

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In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to trade policy expert Abhijit Das about what’s at stake for India in its free trade agreement (FTA) with developed economies like the UK. Why do countries push for non-trade clauses such as labour, environment, and gender standards in trade deals? How do intellectual property (IPR) obligations affect India’s ability to innovate? Drawing on his deep experience in global trade negotiations, Professor Das explains how developed countries often mask protectionist aims behind values-based clauses, how stringent standards can become new barriers to exports, and why India must be cautious about TRIPS-plus commitments. They also discuss how much FTAs actually contribute to export growth, and why domestic reforms—like cutting red tape and improving logistics—matter more for India's trade ambitions. Tune in for insights on how the fine print of FTAs can shape India’s economic future.

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In this episode, journalist Puja Mehra speaks to economist and Director of the Delhi School of Economics, Ram Singh about why India's income tax base remains so narrow. Why do the richest Indians pay a smaller share of their income in taxes than the middle class? Drawing on his research, Ram Singh explains how India's tax system unintentionally favours the wealthy, and why income reporting becomes less honest as wealth increases. They talk about changes in compliance between 2014 and 2019, the role of GST, digital trails, and behavioural nudges like faster refunds in improving tax honesty. Should India introduce a wealth tax to plug the gap? Is the current tax structure fair? And what policy tweaks could make India’s tax regime more equitable without causing unintended harm? Tune in for insights on the disparity, psychology, and economics of taxation in India.

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In this episode, journalist Puja Mehra speaks to economist and competition law expert Payal Malik about India’s push to become an AI powerhouse. While India has advantages in data and digital talent, Malik argues that inadequate computing infrastructure, limited R&D spending, and over-reliance on big tech threaten to stall its progress.

They discuss how initiatives like AIRAWAT aim to build indigenous capacity, but without strong competition policy and sustained investment in innovation, India risks repeating past mistakes—ceding control of critical digital infrastructure to global giants. With countries like China far ahead in AI funding, Malik warns that unless India builds open, contestable markets and ramps up support for startups, its AI ambitions may remain just that—ambitions.

Tune in for analysis of the political economy shaping India’s AI future.

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In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to trade policy expert Abhijit Das. President Donald Trump's Liberation Day, as Trump calls it, is a serious blow to the rules-based global trade order that the US had led as a champion of free trade for 80 years. This trading system was biassed against developing countries like India and in favour of developed countries, but the rise of low-cost manufacturing in China has meant that the US no longer dominates the world economy. At the core of Trump's blow to the trading system is the US' frustration over unequal market access. What are the implications for India? Is the old world trade order lost forever? What should replace it? Tune in for insights into the current state of Trump's trade war.

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In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to Journalist and Consulting Editor at Business Standard, Subhomoy Bhattacharjee. They discuss the deficiencies within the power sector, why it is incurring losses, the parallels between Power Sector Policy and GST policy, how the power sector disincentivises business and much more. Tune in for insights into the absurdities into one of the most important sectors of the economy.

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In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to trade policy expert Abhijit Das. They discuss the recent spat of Trump Tariffs, the implications it has for the world and how it fits in the context of the overall US trade strategy. Tune in for insights into the current state of Trump's trade war.

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In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to Raghavan Srinivasan, journalist and former editor for The Hindu Business Line. They discuss the factors and history that gave rise to China’s domination in Global car manufacturing. They also talk about the role of the US, and the opportunities that India might have in this sector. Tune in for a discussion that clarifies and simplifies the tide that is turning in the automotive sector.

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