G. Chandrashekhar

Chandrashekhar is an economist, journalist and policy commentator renowned for his expertise in agriculture, commodity markets and economic policy.

Will the Iran War Accelerate or Delay Energy Transition?

War-driven energy shocks raise costs and uncertainty, forcing a trade-off: accelerate the shift to renewables or delay transition as economies fall back on fossil fuels for stability.

G. Chandrashekhar

April 12, 2026 at 7:09 AM IST

iStock.com

The Watchword in This VUCA World is ‘Security’

A decade of shocks—from pandemics to wars and trade disruptions—is reshaping policy priorities, with nations and firms racing to secure supply chains, energy and resilience

G. Chandrashekhar

April 8, 2026 at 4:20 AM IST

Istock.com

Towards Smarter, Greener, Indigenous Fertilisers

With global supply chains increasingly fragile, fertiliser security has become central to India’s food security. Reducing import dependence through more sustainable and efficient nutrient use must be a priority.

G. Chandrashekhar

April 6, 2026 at 11:55 AM IST

WikiCommons

Inflation’s Triple Shock: Crude, Crops and Currency Pressures

A volatile oil market, fragile farm outlook and weakening rupee threaten to stoke inflation, testing policy credibility and burdening India’s most vulnerable.

G. Chandrashekhar

March 27, 2026 at 8:21 AM IST

iStock.com

Be Wary of Gold Price Correction

Gold’s rally, inflated by a $700–1000 war risk premium, is colliding with rising yields, a stronger dollar and weak demand, raising the risk of a deeper correction.

G. Chandrashekhar

March 24, 2026 at 3:24 AM IST

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India’s Rabi Crop Estimates May Be Too Optimistic

The government’s second advance estimates project record wheat and mustard output, yet heat stress, weak rainfall, and yield math suggest caution.

G. Chandrashekhar

March 16, 2026 at 2:50 AM IST

iStocks/branex

Twin Risks of War and Weather Threaten Indian Economy

A widening West Asian conflict and a looming El Niño are creating a dangerous mix for the Indian economy, as higher energy costs and weather-hit crops could push inflation up and complicate growth prospects.

G. Chandrashekhar

March 11, 2026 at 9:03 AM IST

WikiCommons

India’s Trade Pact With Europe Offers Promise, Not Quick Gains

The India–EU FTA offers scale and promise, but strict standards, climate rules and structural gaps mean gains will be gradual, uneven and hard-earned.

G. Chandrashekhar

February 18, 2026 at 4:34 AM IST

PMO

Wheat Under Heat: Rising Temperatures Raise Harvest Concerns

Rising temperatures in key northern states could impact wheat yields just as harvest nears, posing risks to supply, prices, and procurement efforts amid fragile reserves.

G. Chandrashekhar

February 11, 2026 at 7:12 AM IST

iStocks/branex

Why Govt Should Hike Customs Duty on Gold, Vegetable Oils

Budget 2026

India’s surging gold and edible oil imports are widening the trade deficit, pressuring the rupee and hurting farmers, making a strong case for restoring higher import duties.

G. Chandrashekhar

January 29, 2026 at 7:04 AM IST

iStock.com/D. Talukdar

Budget Must Treat Critical Minerals as Economic and Security Assets

Budget 2026

India’s growth and security now depend on critical minerals. This Budget must move past intent and set out how the country plans to secure supply.

G. Chandrashekhar

January 23, 2026 at 5:01 AM IST

istock.com

Budget Must Rescue Indian Agriculture From Drift and Denial

Budget 2026

India’s farm crisis needs more than MSPs and subsidies. Budget 2026 must pivot to outcomes, technology and accountability, or risk surrendering food security and farmer incomes.

G. Chandrashekhar

January 21, 2026 at 12:09 PM IST

iStock.com

Millets: Turning a Policy Mirage into a Daily Food Miracle

Even after increases in minimum support prices, returns over cost for millets are still inferior to crops such as wheat or mustard.

G. Chandrashekhar

January 16, 2026 at 11:25 AM IST

iStock.com

Disengaging with Iran Only Sensible Way Out

Opinion

US secondary tariffs put India–Iran trade in a bind, forcing New Delhi to weigh strategic ties against far larger economic exposure to the US market.

G. Chandrashekhar

January 14, 2026 at 7:33 AM IST

iStock.com

Global coal demand set to slow gradually; India may buck the trend

Global coal demand is nearing a plateau as renewables rise, but India may defy the trend, balancing self-reliance goals with continued coal imports.

G. Chandrashekhar

January 9, 2026 at 9:03 AM IST

iStock.com

India’s Protein Blind Spot: Why Growth Has Not Fed the Nation Well

India’s malnutrition problem is not about shortages. It is about neglecting protein in food policy, even as domestic sources remain abundant and underused.

G. Chandrashekhar

December 17, 2025 at 11:33 AM IST

iStock.com

The Nutrition Blind Spot in India’s Food Security Journey

India may be food-secure, but it is far from nutrition-secure—malnutrition continues to erode health, productivity and economic potential across states and age groups.

G. Chandrashekhar

December 9, 2025 at 4:08 AM IST

iStock.com

Import Visibility Needed to Complete India’s Edible Oils Data Reform

Monthly production reporting is useful, but without visibility on import contracts, policy timing will remain reactive rather than anticipatory.

G. Chandrashekhar

November 25, 2025 at 9:52 AM IST

Playing the Palm Oil Price Game

Palm oil’s brief premium over soft oils has faded as supply improves, demand eases and biodiesel economics weaken. With prices retreating and forecasts turning overheated, India faces a timely policy choice on duties and domestic growers’ interests.

G. Chandrashekhar

November 20, 2025 at 7:42 AM IST

iStock.com

Chronic Delays in Kharif Estimates Are Fuel for Market Volatility

Repeated delays in releasing Kharif production estimates are stoking needless speculation, weakening market confidence and undermining policy credibility.

G. Chandrashekhar

November 17, 2025 at 9:36 AM IST

iStock.com

The Bureau

IMD Sees Below-Normal Monsoon Rains for 2026; Rainfall Likely at 92% of Average

Equities Fall as Oil Breaches $100, West Asia Tensions Weigh

March CPI Rises to 3.40%, Highest in 12 Months as Food Prices Firm Up

US Threatens Naval Blockade of Hormuz, Escalates Iran Standoff

India’s capital flows outlook brightens as FDI holds firm, RBI says

India Remittance Flows seen Steady Despite West Asia tensions

Malhotra says RBI’s FX Steps Tactical, Not Structural

RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% Amid Global Uncertainty: Key Policy Takeaways

Iran War Shadow: Livelihood Under Pressure in Post-MGREGA Rural India?

Learning to Shoot: I Tried to Fly Before I Could Walk