Rajesh Mahapatra

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

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With MGNREGA repealed and VB-GRAMG yet to take off, India risks losing its rural employment buffer just as economic shocks begin to intensify.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

Hormuz Risk Calls for India’s Energy Statecraft Reset

As Hormuz risks reshape energy access, India must move beyond markets to secure supply through strategy, diversification, and calibrated statecraft.

Rajesh Mahapatra

March 23, 2026 at 2:49 PM IST

iStock.com

New GDP Data: Problem Fixed, Or Made Worse?

Rajesh Mahapatra

February 28, 2026 at 4:44 AM IST

India AI Summit: Truth Beyond The Optics

Rajesh Mahapatra

February 21, 2026 at 8:32 AM IST

Deals With US, EU, Australia: Joining The Dots Of India's Trade Arc

Rajesh Mahapatra

February 11, 2026 at 7:11 AM IST

India-US Trade Deal: What Happens Next?

Rajesh Mahapatra

February 5, 2026 at 10:21 AM IST

India Budget 2026: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Hits Fiscal Deficit Target, Misses Key Development Goals

Rajesh Mahapatra

February 3, 2026 at 6:59 AM IST

India’s Deficit Promise Was Kept by Cutting Where It Hurts

Budget 2026

The Centre met its deficit promise not through revenue strength, but by cutting transfers and development spend, shifting stress to states.

Rajesh Mahapatra

February 1, 2026 at 11:53 AM IST

File Photo

Why has the Government’s Disinvestment Programme Slowed Down

Budget 2026

Despite bold targets and early momentum, India’s disinvestment drive has stalled, as political caution, PSU profitability and a hesitant private sector prompt the government to hold on to strategic assets

Rajesh Mahapatra

January 31, 2026 at 8:30 AM IST

Finance Ministry

India-EU Trade Deal: Beyond the Headlines

Rajesh Mahapatra

January 31, 2026 at 6:02 AM IST

Indian Exporters Pin Hopes on Budget 2026, Trade Deal

Rajesh Mahapatra

January 29, 2026 at 6:42 AM IST

The Bureau

Market Wrap: Stock Indices Fall as HDFC Bank, Metals Drag; Rupee, Bonds Weaken

POLL: India April-June GDP growth seen around 7.4%, SBI most bullish at 8%

India April-June GDP Growth Seen at 7.5%, Above RBI View: Barclays

US targets Economic Blockade of Iran as Military Campaign Reaches Stalemate

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

The Foster Mother of Lodhi Garden