Rajesh Mahapatra

Rajesh Mahapatra, ex-Editor of PTI, has deep experience in political and economic journalism, shaping media coverage of key events.

IRDAI for Cap on Commissions, Single Distribution Entity, More Disclosure: Who Gains, Who Loses?

Rajesh Mahapatra

Srinath Sridharan

October 8, 2026 at 2:29 PM IST

RBI Hikes Rates, but Why Did the Rupee Fall?

Rajesh Mahapatra

Kalyan Ram

October 7, 2026 at 2:21 PM IST

Why a Cut in Pulses Import Duty Could Backfire

Rajesh Mahapatra

October 5, 2026 at 10:41 AM IST

Why the Govt Must Resist the Urge to Cut Import Duties on Pulses

Interview

Cheaper imports promise relief from rising pulse prices. But could a duty cut before rabi sowing carry a hidden cost? Former Agriculture Secretary Siraj Hussain weighs the choices facing farmers and policymakers.

Rajesh Mahapatra

October 5, 2026 at 10:05 AM IST

iStock.com

When the Sidelines Mattered More Than the Summit

BRICS showed the limits of collective action, but dialogue and bilateral meetings offered scope for progress despite members’ distinct interests.

Rajesh Mahapatra

September 14, 2026 at 7:13 AM IST

PIB

Success of BRICS Summit Hinges on India-China Reset

Trade imbalances, market access and economic cooperation will test whether a Modi-Xi thaw can turn BRICS ambition into actionable outcomes.

Rajesh Mahapatra

September 12, 2026 at 4:08 AM IST

PIB

India’s New GDP Series Is a Black Box Without the Underlying Data

Interview

Former chief statistician Pronab Sen says double deflation is sound in principle, but transparency over price data and base-year revisions is essential to restore trust.

Rajesh Mahapatra

September 4, 2026 at 3:03 PM IST

Wikimedia Commons

India’s GDP Data Puzzle: Pronab Sen on Deflators, Revisions and Trust

Rajesh Mahapatra

September 4, 2026 at 10:37 AM IST

How is India’s Dollar GDP Doing?

Rupee depreciation has wiped out India’s nominal GDP gains in dollar terms, underscoring the challenge of reaching $10 trillion by 2030.

Rajesh Mahapatra

September 2, 2026 at 10:48 AM IST

Istock.com

India’s Economy Might be Doing Well, But are its Citizens Better Off?

India’s 7.8% growth is striking, but a low deflator and mixed household signals warrant scrutiny before resilience is judged broad-based.

Rajesh Mahapatra

September 1, 2026 at 12:31 PM IST

iStock.com

UPI & RuPay Payments May Soon Cost You: — Here’s What Could Change

Rajesh Mahapatra

August 10, 2026 at 9:15 AM IST

Honeymoon Over: What’s Changing with UPI, and Why Now?

UPI’s zero-fee model made it ubiquitous. A new legal framework for merchant charges risks changing far more than its economics.

Rajesh Mahapatra

August 10, 2026 at 3:52 AM IST

Istock.com

Are the By-Election Results Out of Syllabus?

Bankipur, Datia and Manjalpur do not make a national wave, but they expose fresh limits to the BJP’s centralised electoral playbook.

Rajesh Mahapatra

August 4, 2026 at 2:59 PM IST

X/@jansuraajonline

Why India Should Roll Back the Fuel Price Hike Immediately

With crude prices back to pre-war levels, the economic case for rolling back the fuel price hike has strengthened. An immediate rollback would help contain inflation, support household budgets and reinforce confidence in market-linked fuel pricing regime.

Rajesh Mahapatra

July 2, 2026 at 8:44 AM IST

istock.com

Flawed Design, Poor Planning Make Extreme Heat Conditions Worse For Indian Cities

Rajesh Mahapatra

May 28, 2026 at 7:10 AM IST

Deficient Monsoon, Iran War: A Double Shock to India’s Rural Economy

Rajesh Mahapatra

April 14, 2026 at 4:08 PM IST

VB-GRAMG Delay Leaves India’s Jobs Safety Net in Limbo

Interview

With MGNREGA repealed and VB-GRAMG yet to take off, India risks losing its rural employment buffer just as economic shocks begin to intensify.

Rajesh Mahapatra

April 13, 2026 at 5:30 AM IST

iStock.com

Stalled Talks, Iran Still Holds the Cards

Geopolitics

Truce talks exposed fault lines, not convergence. With negotiations stalling and leverage intact, Iran appears better placed in this phase.

Rajesh Mahapatra

April 12, 2026 at 3:28 PM IST

Via WikiCommons

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

Rajesh Mahapatra

April 6, 2026 at 12:43 PM IST

From the Iran Conflict to the Battle for Hormuz

As Trump signals peace while tensions escalate, the conflict risks shifting from brinkmanship to control over the Strait of Hormuz, with far-reaching implications.

Rajesh Mahapatra

March 25, 2026 at 6:36 AM IST

iStock.com

The Bureau

RBI measures may lift rupee but raise costs for genuine hedgers

RBI announces special dollar window for PSU oil cos, regulatory measures for FX market

RBI Raises Repo Rate for First Time in Four Years, Shifts Stance to Tightening

RBI raises 2026-27 CPI inflation forecast to 5.2%, flags oil, monsoon risks

India's Balance of Payments to Remain Under Pressure, Keep Rupee Vulnerable - ANZ

RBI to Use Appropriate Mix of Liquidity Tools, Align WACR with Repo Rate

RBI Raises 2026-27 GDP Growth Forecast to 7.1%, Flags West Asia, Monsoon Risks

Two External MPC Members Dissent on Policy Stance, Favour Retaining Neutral

Is the RBI Behind the Curve?

In Search of the Lesser Florican

Maneet Pal Singh