Tag: national

New Delhi [India], April 09: At a time when political analysis is often reduced to speculation and noise, The JC Show has emerged as a dominant national voice setting the benchmark for sharp, credible, and result-oriented political decoding. Anchored by Dr. Jagdeesh Chandra, the show is rapidly becoming a must-watch for those who seek to understand not just politics but the strategy that drives power.

With an extraordinary blend of over 30 years in governance and 17 years in journalism, Dr. Jagdeesh Chandra is analysing and defining its direction. As CMD of leading media platforms including Bharat24 and First India Network, his influence today extends far beyond studios into the core of national political discourse.

Decoding Modi’s Strategy and its Unstoppable Momentum

In his latest power-packed episode, Dr. Jagdeesh Chandra delivered a strikingly clear breakdown of Narendra Modi’s enduring electoral dominance, particularly in crucial battleground states like Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.

He explains how Modi has created a persona that resonates deeply with India’s grassroots.

Highlighting Assam as a key example, Dr. Jagdeesh Chandra underscored how the “chaiwala” identity is not merely symbolic, it is a deeply embedded emotional bridge. In a state where tea gardens define both economy and culture, this narrative transforms into a powerful psychological advantage, creating a bond that opposition parties have consistently failed to counter.

Leadership Missteps That Changed Political History

Dr. Jagdeesh Chandra also revisited defining political turning points, including the rise of Himanta Biswa Sarma. In doing so, he highlighted how leadership perception can shape political destinies.

“Man of Prediction” A Track Record That Speaks for Itself

What truly sets Dr. Jagdeesh Chandra apart is not just analysis but accuracy.

Known widely as the “Man of Prediction,” he had early and confidently forecasted Narendra Modi’s third consecutive term in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, along with Amit Shah continuing as Home Minister, well before it became mainstream consensus.

His precise political readings, including Bihar’s electoral outcomes, have repeatedly proven him right, cementing his reputation as one of India’s most reliable and fearless political forecasters.

Beyond a Show , A National Influence Engine

The JC Show is no longer just a program, it is a powerful influence engine shaping how India understands politics.

With bold insights, strategic clarity, and fearless commentary, Dr. Jagdeesh Chandra is redefining political journalism, moving it from reactive reporting to proactive foresight.

As India moves through an era of high-stakes elections and transformative leadership, one thing is clear

On World Homeopathy Day, Padma Shri Dr. Mukesh Batra calls for integrating homeopathy into India’s vision of affordable, preventive, and sovereign healthcare by 2047

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 08: Padma Shri Dr. Mukesh Batra, the founder of Dr. Batra’s Healthcare, the largest chain of homoeopathy clinics in the world, has issued a call to action as India celebrates World Homoeopathy Day, which is observed on the birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homoeopathy. He has stated that homoeopathy must be at the centre of India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 healthcare agenda.

India’s vision of a developed nation by 2047 demands not just economic growth, but health sovereignty — accessible, affordable, and preventive care for 1.4 billion people. With healthcare spending at approximately Rs 1000 billion in Union Budget 2026–27 (~2% of GDP), and nearly 65% of health expenses borne out-of-pocket by citizens (estimated at Rs 5000 billion annually), cost-effective, safe, and scalable systems like homeopathy have never been more critical.

“The question is not alternative versus modern medicine. The question is: what combination ensures sustainable healthcare for all? For a nation of 1.4 billion, the future of healthcare must be affordable, preventive, holistic, and human.”

— Padma Shri Dr. Mukesh Batra, Founder, Dr Batra’s® Healthcare

  A Global Mass Healthcare System

India is the world capital of homeopathy, but the system’s reach is truly global. Over 200 –300 million people worldwide use homeopathy regularly, making it the second largest system of medicine globally and the third most used in India:

▸  1000 lakh+ Indians depend on homeopathy as their primary healthcare system

▸  300,000 practicing homeopaths and 7,000+ hospitals & dispensaries across India

▸  280+ homeopathy colleges in India; 150+ training institutions across Europe

▸  29% of Europeans use homeopathy in daily healthcare; 60% of Germans have used it at least once

▸  49% of the UK population and 58% of Americans have tried homeopathy

▸  France: 30,000+ doctors prescribe homeopathic medicines with a 40% usage rate

Homeopathy was founded in 1796 by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann a German MD doctor. It arrived in India through the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and today — 225 years later — its core principles of personalised medicine, preventive care, and minimal side effects align precisely with the direction where modern healthcare is heading.

  India’s Healthcare Crises — Where Homeopathy Can Help

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): India bears one of the world’s highest AMR burdens — 297,000 deaths directly caused by drug-resistant bacteria annually, with AMR contributing to over 1 million more. AMR has risen from 29% to 47% with up to 61% of E. coli infections showing resistance. With self-medication rates at 66% and AMR projected to cost Rs 10 billion globally in direct healthcare costs by 2050. Reducing antibiotic dependence is a national emergency. Homeopathy helps to build immunity and reduce the use of antibiotic. 

Non-Communicable Diseases: NCDs now account for 70% of India’s disease burden — a complete inversion since 1991, when infectious diseases dominated at 70%. India is home to 100 million+ diabetics, while 33% of adults are hypertensive. The economic cost is staggering: NCDs are projected to cost India Rs 323 trillion in lost output between 2012 and 2030. Homeopathy’s individualised, root-cause approach — safe for long-term use with no toxicity burden — makes it ideally suited for lifelong chronic disease management.

Allergies & Skin Conditions: 20–30% of Indians suffer from allergic rhinitis; 350 lakhs from asthma. With India’s skin treatment market at Rs 270 billion and atopic dermatitis costing Rs 140 billion annually to manage, conventional suppression via antihistamines and steroids offers only temporary relief. Homeopathy works on immune hypersensitivity and has demonstrated particular strength in childhood allergies, chronic sinusitis, and recurring skin conditions.

Mental Health: Over 60–70 million Indians live with mental disorders, with treatment costs projected to reach Rs 95,000 billion by 2030. Post-COVID anxiety, burnout, and social isolation have compounded the crisis. Homeopathy’s non-addictive, mind-body approach — addressing anxiety, depression, fear, and burnout as part of a single constitutional picture — offers a compassionate, stigma-free complement to psychiatric care.

  Homeopathy’s Strategic Role in Viksit Bharat 2047

▸  Affordable Care: Low-cost medicines reduce burden on public health infrastructure

▸  Preventive Health: Constitutional and immunity-focused treatment reduces disease incidence

▸  Reduced Drug Dependency: Vital in the AMR era and for chronic disease management

▸  Last-Mile Access: Already integrated into thousands of Primary Health Centres nationally

▸  Global Soft Power: India can lead the world in integrative medicine and traditional health knowledge

“A Viksit Bharat will not be built in hospitals — it will be built in healthy homes. Homeopathy can lead that movement. Less toxicity. More immunity. That is the healthcare India needs.”

— Padma Shri Dr. Mukesh Batra

About Dr Batra’s Healthcare: With over 200+ clinics in around 150 cities across 10 countries including India, Bangladesh, UK, UAE, and Bahrain Dr Batra’s® Homeopathy Clinics has over 350+ doctors including skin specialists, hair specialists, and experienced homeopathic doctors. Dr Batra’s® specializes in Hair, Skin, Allergies, Child and Women’s Health, Mental Health, Sexual Health, and Weight Management ailments including Hair loss, Vitiligo, Psoriasis, Acne, Low immunity, Tonsillitis, Stress Management, Migraine, Thyroid, PCOS, Menopause, Allergies, Sexual Health, Weight Management, Infertility and Male Infertility. 

For Free Consultation till 10^th April, 2026: www.drbatras.com

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New Delhi [India], April 06: In a technology first outreach programme, Cabinet Minister and MLA from Dhekiajuli, Ashok Singhal, led an unprecedented digital mass outreach programme titled “Lakhyadhik Jansampark” on April 5, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
This landmark initiative marks the first time that a public representative simultaneously addressed over 1 lakh citizens across approximately 2,500 locations through a unified digital platform. The programme was streamed live on major social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, enabling real-time interaction and engagement with the public.
Organized as part of the outreach efforts between citizens and the government, the event was designed to foster direct communication without the constraints of physical gatherings. Each of the 2,500 identified locations will host around 40–50 participants, collectively forming a massive, synchronized audience that will be virtually connected during the live address.
What set the “Lakhyadhik Jansampark” apart was its completely digital-first approach. In a significant departure from traditional methods, this initiative leveraged the power of technology and social media to reach people at scale. It reflects a forward-looking model of governance that prioritizes efficiency, inclusivity, and environmental consciousness.
Speaking about the initiative, organizers emphasized that the programme aimed not only to disseminate key messages but also to create a sense of direct connection and participation among citizens. By bringing people together digitally across thousands of locations, the campaign aimed to build a stronger, more engaged community while maintaining accessibility for all.
The event also set a new benchmark in public communication by demonstrating how large-scale public engagement can be achieved through innovative use of digital infrastructure. It highlights the growing role of technology in shaping modern democratic processes and strategies in India.

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New Delhi [India], April 04: LPG prices don’t really jump overnight. It just feels like they do.

What’s actually happening is pressure building quietly in the background, global benchmarks moving, currencies shifting, shipping getting expensive, and then one day, the system just stops absorbing it. That’s when you see the spike. Sharp. Annoying. Very real.

At the center of all this is the Saudi Aramco Contract Price. That’s the global benchmark for LPG, and it basically reflects how propane and butane are trading worldwide. For context, India imports roughly 60% of what it consumes. So whatever happens globally doesn’t stay global for long. It lands here. Pretty quickly.

Now, the past few years haven’t exactly been calm.

In 2020, during COVID, demand collapsed. Prices fell. Brief relief. Then 2021 hit, and demand came roaring back faster than supply could keep up. Prices surged again. By 2022, the Russia-Ukraine war pushed things into full-blown volatility. Energy markets hate uncertainty, and this was peak uncertainty. In India, LPG prices climbed close to ₹1,000. Not theoretical. Very real for households.

Between 2023 and 2025, the global benchmark rose steadily by around 21% overall. No dramatic headlines every week, just consistent upward pressure building in the system.

Now, here’s where things get a bit… layered.

In August 2023, LPG prices were cut by ₹200 per cylinder. Sounds like relief, and it was. But it wasn’t because global prices fell. The gap was absorbed by the government and oil companies, which is what’s called under-recoveries. And honestly, subsidies like these aren’t random acts of generosity. They’re often used as fiscal tools, especially during periods of high inflation or politically sensitive timelines. That doesn’t make them bad. Just… strategic.

And then comes 2026. Still unfolding. Still volatile.

As of this week, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted one of the world’s most critical energy routes. Over 60% of India’s LPG imports pass through this corridor. So when movement is restricted even temporarily, the impact is immediate. In early March 2026, domestic LPG prices jumped by around ₹60, while commercial cylinders saw a much sharper increase.

But here’s the thing: this is a snapshot. A moving situation. If the route stabilizes tomorrow, prices could ease just as quickly. That’s the nature of globally exposed energy markets.

Now zoom out a bit.

One uncomfortable truth? India’s vulnerability here isn’t new. It’s structural.

We’ve known for years that LPG demand far exceeds domestic supply. And yet, buffer stocks remain relatively thin, often just about a week’s worth of functional reserve. Which means when global shocks hit, we don’t have the luxury of time. Prices adjust fast because they have to.

There are long-term efforts to increase domestic gas production and reduce dependence on imports. But let’s be honest, those are slow-moving fixes. Infrastructure, exploration, policy alignment… this stuff takes years. Sometimes decades.

Meanwhile, the exposure remains.

There’s also a split system that most people don’t think about.

Domestic LPG prices are regulated and politically sensitive, so they don’t change every time global prices move. There’s a delay in a buffer. But commercial LPG? That’s deregulated. It tracks the market more closely. Which is why restaurants, hotels, and small businesses feel the heat faster. And eventually, those costs trickle down anyway. They always do.

Add taxation to the mix 5% GST on domestic, around 18% on commercial, and when base prices rise, the tax amount rises too. Same percentage, bigger hit.

Currency doesn’t help either. LPG is priced in US dollars, so a weaker rupee quietly makes imports more expensive, even if global prices don’t change.

And then there’s the bigger shift happening, almost quietly in the background.

Because of this volatility, more urban households are slowly moving away from LPG. Piped Natural Gas (PNG), induction cooktops, electric cooking, not everywhere, not all at once, but it’s happening. People are looking for stability. Predictability. LPG, right now, doesn’t always offer that.

And maybe that’s the bigger story here.

Not just why prices rise, but how that unpredictability is changing behavior.

Anyway, coming back to the core point…

When LPG prices spike, it’s not random. It’s layers. Global disruptions, policy buffers, currency pressure, and structural dependence are all stacking up. And when they finally hit, they don’t trickle in.

They land all at once.

And yeah… that’s the part that really stings.

PNN National

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 01: In an era where digital convenience is rapidly transforming urban life, the rise of cyber fraud has emerged as a parallel threat that demands urgent attention. A recent case involving fraudulent activity linked to the “Mahanagar Gas App” once again underscores how unsuspecting citizens in metropolitan cities like Mumbai are being targeted through sophisticated digital traps.

Speaking on the issue, Mahesh Bhambwani, Media Secretary of the BJP Professional Cell, Mumbai, emphasized that cyber fraud today is not merely a technological issue but a societal concern requiring coordinated action between citizens, law enforcement, and policymakers.

Guided by the vision of Hon’ble Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and with the support of Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar and Mumbai BJP President Amit Satam, a delegation from the BJP Professional Cell recently engaged in a crucial dialogue with cyber law enforcement authorities. The delegation, led by Shailesh R Ghedia and Anil Sharma, along with Bhambwani, met DCP Cyber Shri Karad to discuss actionable strategies to curb such fraudulent activities.

During the interaction, DCP Karad highlighted the proactive and rigorous measures being undertaken by the Cyber Police Department to track, trap, and bring fraudsters to justice. He also outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen mechanisms for recovery of defrauded funds—an area that often determines the real impact of such crimes on victims.

One of the most critical takeaways from the discussion was the importance of immediacy in reporting cyber fraud. Citizens were strongly advised to report incidents on the national cyber helpline 1930 within 2–3 minutes of the transaction. According to officials, this narrow window significantly increases the chances of freezing the transaction and recovering the lost money.

Equally important was the caution against downloading suspicious links, particularly files ending with .APK. These files often act as gateways for malware, enabling fraudsters to gain unauthorized access to personal and financial data.

Bhambwani noted that while enforcement agencies are strengthening their response systems, prevention remains the most effective defense. He stressed the need for continuous public awareness campaigns, urging the police department to leverage multiple media platforms to educate citizens at regular intervals.

“The fight against cyber fraud cannot be won in isolation. It requires an informed citizenry, responsive governance, and a vigilant enforcement framework,” Bhambwani stated, adding that such collaborative efforts reflect the government’s commitment to safeguarding digital India.

As Mumbai continues to embrace digital ecosystems, this initiative serves as a timely reminder: convenience must always be accompanied by caution.

Dr. Arvind Kumar, President, India Water Foundation

The current global order is facing various overlapping crises, which are collectively being described as the poly-crisis era. Given this situation, New Delhi finds itself at a very significant moment, more so after the wars in the Middle East and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, when the traditional international security mechanisms are gradually becoming obsolete. India, being a major power with its GDP rising to US$4.18 trillion, seems to be the centre of global politics; it should maintain a low profile and also do some courageous acts to preserve its strategic autonomy, besides ensuring the creation of a peaceful and stable internal environment, if it wants to be free of the geopolitical mess.

The Energy and Resource Frontier

India is confronted with one of the most difficult threats to its energy security because it depends on imports for more than 80 percent of its crude oil and natural gas needs. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, together with the interruption of the Middle Eastern supply chains, has rapidly contributed to the destabilization of the local markets. So, New Delhi has taken a move towards large-scale diversification. Despite India’s main source of energy being Gulf energy imports, the country’s crude oil imports from Russia increased from 2-3 percent of total imports in 2021 to 38-41 percent by 2024, indicating a twentyfold rise in the share of Russian crude imports within three years. One way of cutting the dependency on imported fossil fuels is by generating more renewable energy. At the beginning of 2026, India had 275 GW of power capacity from non-fossil sources, which gave it the ability to augment the non-fossil power capacity by 50 percent. Besides, India is forming strategic partnerships with Africa and Australia for liquefied natural gas and critical minerals, while at the same time, it is building up its strategic petroleum reserves.

Food Security and Internal Resilience

The agricultural sector currently operates its first simultaneous period of operational difficulties because its food prices depend on imported fertilisers. The transportation routes used to deliver these fertilisers face disruption because ocean shipping paths follow unpredictable patterns. The government promotes bio-fertilizers and precision agriculture as methods to enhance grain production. The two initiatives today hold special importance for India, which stands as the thirteenth most water-stressed country according to the Aqueduct index of the World Resources Institute. The domestic economy of the nation serves as the primary shield that protects the country from all forms of foreign economic interruptions. India retains its status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy with a development prediction of 7.4 percent. The government plans to create a fiscal defence system against imported inflation and external capital flow changes by reducing the fiscal deficit to 4.5 percent and implementing structural reforms through the second phase of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

India’s current strategic tightrope in the ongoing global turmoil is illustrated in the following infographics, which are self-explanatory.

The Diplomatic Balancing Act

From a diplomatic point of view, India’s ‘multi-alignment’ strategy is being challenged by the increasing competition between the two superpowers. Washington has put a lot of pressure on India, even threatening to impose reciprocal tariffs and sanctions in connection with India’s purchase of Russian energy and defence equipment. Yet, New Delhi has not backed down and, in fact, changed the lens of its relations to focus on domestic developmental needs instead of ideological loyalties. Such a delicate balancing act is not only in the Middle East, where India has a ‘Special Strategic Partnership’ with Israel on one side, and at the same time, on the other side, it also signed long-term contracts with Iran for the Chabahar Port. This kind of flexibility gives India the ability to be a reliable interlocutor at fault lines in the different regions.

Sustainable Path Forward

India needs to stop watching from the sidelines because its survival depends on becoming an active peace promoter by protecting its economic growth from external disruptions by increasing its essential role in worldwide value chains and modernizing its domestic production sites. New Delhi views strategic autonomy as an essential survival strategy, which became necessary when the world began to fracture into multiple factions.

Disclaimer: Views expressed above are the author’s own and do not reflect the publication’s views.

Rohit Kumar, Secretary General, CMAI , Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for New and Renewable and Manish Dabkara, President, CMAI, & MD & CEO, EKI Energy

New Delhi [India], March 19: The second edition of India Climate Week 2026 (ICW 2026), organised by the Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI), concluded successfully at Bharat Mandapam, reaffirming India’s growing leadership in carbon markets, climate finance, and clean technology deployment.

Held from March 12–17, 2026, the event brought together senior policymakers, industry leaders, global institutions, financial stakeholders, and innovators, making it one of India’s most comprehensive platforms for advancing the net-zero transition and green economic transformation. 

Rooted in the ethos of ‘प्रकृतिरेव शरणम्’ (Nature is our only refuge) and inspired by the vision of Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, ICW 2026 successfully positioned India as a global gateway to climate action and sustainable development. The India Climate Week 2026 was supported by  Mission LiFE; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Ministry of Power ; Ministry of New and Renewable Energy ; Bureau of Energy Efficiency ; Department of Science & Technology ; Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.

At the Inaugural session, Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Environment Minister, Government of NCT of Delhi, stated, “India Climate Week has created a strong platform to align urban sustainability initiatives with national climate goals, including emerging opportunities in carbon markets. Delhi is playing and important role in establishing the carbon markets framework. Delhi would be announcing its green budget this year and focusing on green infrastructure for the city.”

Mr.  Rohit Kumar, Secretary General, CMAI, added, “ICW 2026 has demonstrated the power of convergence—bringing together policy, markets, and industry to drive execution. This is where climate ambition transforms into actionable business strategies and measurable outcomes.”

Speaking on the success of the event Mr. Manish Dabkara, President, CMAI, said, “India Climate Week 2026 marks a defining shift from climate ambition to implementation. The platform has catalysed investments, strengthened carbon market ecosystems, and enabled partnerships that will accelerate India’s net-zero transition.”

Driving Climate Markets and Industry Transition: India Climate Week 2026 played a pivotal role in advancing Carbon market development and implementation frameworks, Climate finance mobilisation for scalable, investment-ready projects, Global collaboration under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, Adoption of low-carbon technologies across industries, Strengthening ESG compliance and climate governance frameworks.

The event enabled stakeholders to explore next-generation solutions, including AI-based MRV systems, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), green hydrogen, circular economy models, and decarbonisation pathways for carbon-intensive sectors. The event was supported by Jindal Steel as Platinum Sponsor,  EKI Energy Services Ltd. as Gold Sponsor, Session Partner was London School of Economics and Sustainability Partner – Bank of Baroda.

A key highlight of the event was the India Climate Samman 2026, recognising “प्रकृति संवर्धक” (Sustainers of Nature) — organisations and individuals demonstrating exceptional leadership in climate action, sustainability, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

While speaking at the Valedictory session Mr. Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Power; Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, shared,“India is progressing steadily toward a sustainable and low-carbon future through renewable energy expansion, green technologies, and inclusive climate action.

India Climate Samman 2026

Global Participation & Impact

ICW 2026 successfully fostered cross-border collaboration, policy dialogue, and industry engagement, while accelerating carbon market readiness, climate finance flows, and adoption of sustainable technologies.

Representing the international community, H.E. Kenneth Félix Haczynski da Nóbrega, Ambassador of Brazil to India, remarked:
 “India Climate Week provides an important platform for strengthening global cooperation and advancing shared priorities in sustainable development and climate action.”

H.E. Benedikt Höskuldsson, Ambassador of Iceland to India, noted, “Collaboration, innovation, and technology partnerships are critical to achieving global climate goals. Platforms like ICW help accelerate this transition.”

Strong Policy Backing and Institutional Support

India Climate Week 2026 was supported by key Government of India institutions, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Power, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Department of Science and Technology,  and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, providing strong policy anchoring and enabling high-impact dialogue.

Designed as a five-day strategic programme, ICW 2026 moved from on-ground exposure to policy and market action:

• Industry Site Visits (March 12): Delegates experienced real-world climate solutions across green hydrogen, bioenergy, and waste-to-energy projects
• Workshops & Capacity Building (March 13–14): Focused on carbon markets, ESG frameworks, climate finance, AI in MRV, and climate law
• High-Level Dialogues (March 16–17): Featured discussions on Article 6, global climate cooperation, voluntary and compliance carbon markets, and industrial decarbonisation

As global climate priorities shift toward implementation and impact, India Climate Week 2026 has set a strong foundation for scalable climate solutions, global partnerships, and market-driven action, reinforcing India’s leadership in building a resilient, low-carbon future.

The Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI) is a leading not-for-profit group of industry stakeholders dedicated to accelerating India’s transition to a sustainable, net-zero future. It aims to develop a robust carbon credit market and drive India’s climate and sustainability goals.

New Delhi [India], March 14: Manufacturing vs agriculture growth in India is suddenly the story nobody in policymaking circles can ignore. Factories are humming at record levels while farm growth has slowed enough to raise eyebrows.

Manufacturing vs Agriculture Growth India

Manufacturing vs agriculture growth India is turning into one of those economic contrasts that makes policymakers pause for a second. Maybe two.

Look at the data. Factories are pushing ahead at impressive speed. Agricultural growth, meanwhile, has slowed enough to raise some uncomfortable questions.

And honestly, this kind of imbalance wasn’t supposed to be this obvious.

Manufacturing sentiment has reached record highs. Production lines are active. Companies are expanding output. Hiring intentions are rising.

But agriculture, despite producing massive quantities of food, is seeing weaker growth.

Which is… interesting. Slightly ironic too.

India feeds itself just fine. Yet the farm economy isn’t expanding nearly as fast as the industrial one.

Factories Are Running at Full Speed

Let’s start with the good news. And there’s quite a bit of it.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry manufacturing survey shows something pretty striking. The FICCI Manufacturing Index hit an all-time high in the third quarter of FY26, covering October to December 2025.

That doesn’t happen casually.

A massive 91 percent of manufacturers reported either higher or stable production levels. Think about that for a second. Nine out of ten companies are basically saying, yeah, business is good or at least steady.

Capacity utilization across major industries is sitting at around 75 percent.

Which, if you’ve followed industrial cycles before, is a strong number. Factories don’t operate near that level unless demand is solid. And consistent.

In other words, machines are running. Workers are busy. Orders are coming in.

It’s a good place to be.

Industrial Production Confirms the Momentum

Survey sentiment is nice. But hard numbers matter more.

And the numbers line up.

India’s Index of Industrial Production, the IIP, grew 4.8 percent year-on-year in January 2026. Not explosive growth. But healthy. Steady. Reliable.

The interesting part is where the growth is coming from.

Basic metals production jumped 13.2 percent. Motor vehicles expanded 10.9 percent. Infrastructure and construction goods surged 13.7 percent.

That last number is worth lingering on.

Construction goods rising at that pace usually signals one thing. Infrastructure work is moving. Roads, bridges, housing projects, rail expansion. All of it needs steel, cement, heavy materials.

And those industries feed directly into manufacturing activity.

So yes, factories are busy.

Really busy.

Corporate India Is Benefiting

This manufacturing momentum is spilling into corporate earnings as well.

Data from the Reserve Bank of India shows that manufacturing companies led revenue growth across India Inc. during the third quarter of FY26.

Overall corporate revenues grew 10.1 percent, with manufacturing doing a big chunk of the heavy lifting.

Which makes sense.

Manufacturing has this multiplier effect. A factory doesn’t operate in isolation. It pulls in raw materials, logistics, engineering services, suppliers, contractors. Whole ecosystems get activated.

When factories grow, economic activity spreads outwards like ripples in water.

That’s what’s happening now.

Agriculture Growth Slows

Now here’s the other side of the story. The quieter side.

Agriculture growth in the latest quarter came in at 1.42 percent.

Yes, you read that right.

Among all major sectors of the economy, agriculture is currently the slowest growing.

For the full fiscal year FY26, agricultural growth is projected at 2.5 percent. That’s a noticeable drop from 4.3 percent recorded in FY25.

Now look, agriculture is complicated. Weather plays a role. Global commodity prices play a role. Domestic policy, irrigation conditions, input costs. It’s never just one factor.

But still. The slowdown is visible.

And when agriculture slows, rural demand often follows. That’s something economists watch closely.

Because rural consumption drives a lot of everyday economic activity.

Allied Sectors Step In

But here’s where the story gets a little more nuanced.

While traditional crop farming isn’t growing very fast, allied agricultural sectors are actually expanding much faster.

Livestock production is growing 7.1 percent. Fisheries are expanding 8.8 percent.

Those are strong numbers.

What it suggests is something economists have been talking about for years. Rural income is slowly diversifying away from pure crop farming.

Dairy, poultry, and aquaculture. These activities tend to generate steadier income streams. Less vulnerable to weather shocks.

Farm households are adapting. Maybe gradually. Maybe unevenly. But adapting nonetheless.

And that shift is starting to show up in national data.

Record Foodgrain Production

Here’s the twist though.

Despite slower agricultural growth rates, India has actually produced record foodgrain output.

According to the Press Information Bureau, total foodgrain production reached 357.73 lakh tonnes in 2024–25.

Which is enormous.

So yes, agriculture is growing more slowly. But production volumes are still massive.

That’s the strange part of the story.

The country is producing more food than ever before… yet the sector’s growth rate is cooling.

Economic data can be weird like that sometimes.

What This Divergence Means

So what does manufacturing vs agriculture growth India actually tell us?

Maybe it’s simply the natural evolution of a developing economy.

Historically, as countries grow richer, manufacturing and services begin to outpace agriculture. The structure of the economy shifts. Labor moves. Investment flows into industry.

India might be moving along that path.

Factories expand. Infrastructure projects accelerate. Industrial clusters grow. Meanwhile agriculture gradually becomes more specialized.

But here’s the important bit.

Agriculture still supports a massive share of India’s population.

So while manufacturing strength is fantastic news for economic growth, policymakers still need to keep rural incomes stable.

Because factories build GDP.

But farms… farms build social stability.

And both matter.

PNN National

New Delhi [India], March 14: The US-Iran war is being fought miles away in the Middle East, yet its ripples have already reached our kitchens. Ever since the war started, LPG prices have skyrocketed across the country, while many places are witnessing shortages. 

Until now, the government had been actively encouraging the use of LPG, over the years, with LPG coverage nearing 100% saturation under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

With Indians now depending on LPG for their daily meals more than ever, the supply disruption from the Middle East has started to bite everyone from students, housewives, canteen owners, restaurateurs and more. But the lack of LPG cylinders does not mean that we go back to traditional, polluting chulhas, there are solutions that have existed earlier and can work as a viable alternative. 

Electric induction cooktops 

The induction cooktop is the primary solution here. These appliances use electromagnetic energy to heat cookware directly, making them significantly more energy-efficient than traditional electric stoves.

Induction cooktops are particularly popular these days as they run on electricity, just like your press iron. They heat food quickly, offer precise temperature control, and eliminate the risk of gas leaks. Already used as a backup during LPG refill delays, these cooktops will now rule the roost, though you will require compatible cookware and a continuous supply of electricity.

PNG pipelines emerging as a stable option

Piped Natural Gas (PNG) is another cheaper alternative in cities where gas pipeline infrastructure is available. The biggest advantage here is convenience, as you get a continuous supply through pipelines, like water or electricity, though its availability is limited to certain cities for now.

Electric pressure cookers and multi-cookers

Electric pressure cookers have been around for quite some time now, and can be used to make rice, dal, curries or streamed dishes without using LPG. Ideal for household use, many of these models come with programmable settings, allowing you to prepare quick meals using standard electricity connections. 

Solar cookers offer eco-friendly option

Solar cookers are another alternative that has long been promoted in India but remains underutilized. These devices use sunlight to generate heat for cooking, making them completely fuel-free and environmentally friendly.

They work well in regions with strong sunlight and are ideal for slow cooking dishes such as rice, lentils, and vegetables, though they aren’t that popular as weather conditions and daylight availability of sunlight varies widely. 

The road ahead

The LPG shortage highlights the importance of diversifying India’s cooking energy ecosystem. While LPG continues to remain the primary cooking fuel for millions of households, alternatives using electric appliances and piped gas systems will be highly encouraged as a hedge to remove the dependency on LPG cylinders. 

Though you may not be able to replace LPG entirely, these backup options offer a viable alternative that doesn’t require you to stand in line for hours for a gas cylinder. Given the rising costs of these cylinders, you could even use LPG as a backup if necessary!

New Delhi [India], March 14: Crude oil still runs the world. Not quietly either. It’s loud, messy, political, expensive, and weirdly unavoidable.

Oil is still right at the heart of the global economy even in 2026, when the climate conferences, electric car advertisements, and governments use such phrases as energy transitions have taken place. Ships run on it. Planes absolutely need it. Plastics come from it. A supermarket shelf has half of its items that have their source in a barrel of crude in the Middle East, the United States, or offshore Brazil. Individuals like to fantasize that we are already relinquishing oil, but the truth is that we are not. Not yet.

Look at the numbers for a second.

The global community is presently using about 100 million barrels of oil daily. That’s not a typo.. One hundred million. Daily. And weirdly enough, demand hasn’t collapsed the way some forecasts predicted a decade ago. If anything, global consumption has stayed stubbornly high. The International Energy Agency has repeatedly pointed out that oil demand keeps growing in developing economies, such as India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa, because industrialization simply requires enormous amounts of energy.

And induction changes… it takes time. A lot of time.

Consider it as infrastructure inertia. When many millions of gasoline cars are built, and thousands of refineries, and cross-continental pipelines, and petrochemical plants to supply whole manufacturing sectors, you do not just turn the switch and put thousands of refineries in place. It is as though attempting to change the direction of a cargo ship in the sea. Possible, yes. Fast? Not even close.

Take transportation, for example.

Electric vehicles get all the headlines, and sure, EV adoption is rising quickly in countries like China, Norway, and the United States. But the global car fleet today still includes more than 1.4 billion vehicles, and the overwhelming majority run on petrol or diesel. Even if every new car sold tomorrow were electric—which obviously isn’t happening—it would still take maybe 15 to 20 years for the existing fleet to gradually disappear.

And that’s just cars.

Aviation is a completely different beast. Jet fuel has an energy density that batteries simply can’t match right now. A fully electric long-haul aircraft? Engineers are working on it, but commercially viable versions are probably decades away. Airlines burn around 7–8 million barrels of oil per day, and that demand isn’t vanishing anytime soon.

Shipping too. Cargo ships carry about 90% of global trade, most of it powered by heavy fuel oil or marine diesel. Alternative fuels like ammonia or green methanol are being tested, but scaling those technologies across tens of thousands of vessels will take—honestly—years and years.

Then there’s petrochemicals. And this is where things get interesting.

People often think of oil mainly as fuel. Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel. But roughly 12–15% of global crude oil demand goes into petrochemicals, which means plastics, fertilizers, synthetic fibers, detergents, medical equipment, packaging… the list goes on forever. Your phone casing? Oil. Polyester clothing? Oil. Many pharmaceuticals? Also oil.

This part of the demand is actually expected to keep growing, even in aggressive clean-energy scenarios. Because as incomes rise globally, people consume more manufactured goods. More packaging. More electronics. More everything.

So… how long will people depend on crude oil?

Most serious energy forecasts, IEA, OPEC, BP, the big consulting firms, tend to land on a similar uncomfortable answer: oil will remain a major energy source until at least 2040 or 2050. Maybe longer.

But here’s the subtle thing many headlines miss. Dependence doesn’t disappear suddenly. It fades slowly.

Coal, for instance, peaked in many Western countries decades ago but still hasn’t vanished entirely. Oil will likely follow a similar pattern. Demand will eventually plateau. Then decline. But it’ll be a long slope downward, not a cliff.

India is a good example of why.

The energy needs of the country are increasing at an unbelievable rate with the growth of the cities, the development of industries and the entrance of several millions of people into middle classes. India has been consuming oil at an almost annual rate. Sure, electric mobility is increasing, but trucks, buses, and construction machines are too much dependent on diesel. And with the continuing growth of the economy, fuel demand tends to trail.

So while Europe may gradually reduce oil use, other regions are still ramping it up. Global demand ends up balancing out.

There’s also geopolitics. And honestly… this part always complicates things.

Wars, sanctions, OPEC actions, shipping shocks and financial speculation play with oil markets. An outbreak of war in the Middle East, embargo on Russian exports or a Saudi shutdown can push prices overnight. Governments understand this and that is the reason why most nations do not want to give up oil too fast. Energy security matters. A lot.

Right, so here’s the uncomfortable reality.

The world is establishing itself without crude oil. Renewable energy grows at an accelerated pace solar, wind, battery storage, all the hydrogen experiments, etc. There is an increasing number of electric vehicles. Carbon targets are being established by governments.

The transformation is not a straight line. It’s messy. Delayed here and fast here. And of a huge industrial ecosystem centuries old, crude oil is the heart.

As most observers can decipher, the global oil demand may reach its peak in the late 2030s or early 2040s. Then it is possible that it will gradually decrease as clean energy becomes larger. However, the world is also likely to continue consuming tens of millions of barrels per day even in 2050.

Not because people love oil.

Because replacing it everywhere, all at once, is just… really, really hard.

And honestly? Anyone promising a quick, painless exit from crude oil is probably oversimplifying things. The global energy system is massive. Complex. Sticky. You pull one thread, and suddenly, airlines, plastics, fertilizers, shipping, and power grids are all tangled together.

So yeah. Oil’s era isn’t ending tomorrow.

But it is slowly, awkwardly, maybe inevitably… beginning to fade. Just not as fast as people sometimes hope. Or fear.

PNN national