Commentary
Tracking India's transformation at the intersection of her political economy, youth bulge and tech transformation.
The Economic Survey and NITI Aayog on Youth Opportunity in India
Three recent government reports examine different aspects of India's economy and growth trajectory. Though focused on different policy areas, they collectively reveal "deep unevenness across geographies, sectors, and firms" that shape youth employment outcomes nationwide.
The Summer I Worked at Burger King
What the Gig Economy Debate in India Is Missing. Nearly 25 years ago, I traveled to the United States for university as the first person in my extended family to do so. My parents covered the initial tuition, but I had to become financially independent afterward. This necessity led me to work in American fast-food establishments, including a summer position at Burger King with its famously strict drive-through timer system.
Mokyr's Nobel Poses a Fundamental Question for India - What Kind of Country Does India Want to Be?
Our greatness will not come from cheap labour, vast markets, or scaling technologies invented elsewhere. Joel Mokyr's Nobel Prize in economics raises critical questions about India's future direction. Rather than focusing solely on economic expansion or global competition, the award highlights a deeper issue: whether India can cultivate an ecosystem that encourages and celebrates originality.
The H1B Paradox: How Brain Drain Became a Symbol of National Pride
No country has become a world leader through the outmigration of its trained talent. The U.S. government's move to impose a USD 100,000 fee on H1B visa petitions has upended many family and career plans. India now faces a critical question: should we continue celebrating our success in exporting talent, or build an economy that creates opportunities at home for our best and brightest?
India's Democracy and Development is in its Districts
For the first time, fragmented national data has been consolidated into clear dashboards to track youth opportunity district-by-district. Public life globally feels increasingly fragmented and polarized amid technological and demographic upheaval. India's central challenge: ensuring the nation's young population—65% under age 35—gains meaningful economic and democratic participation.
India's job crisis undermines state legitimacy
Unemployment is not merely an economic issue, but a fundamental political challenge that strikes at the heart of how we organise our society. India's inability to generate quality employment for its youth population represents a fundamental threat to state legitimacy rather than merely an economic problem.
On 70-hour work weeks and nation-building
What is required to foster a sense of national purpose is a visible attempt by our top 10% to give to our country and move everyone forward. Infosys founder Narayan Murthy sparked debate by advocating longer work hours for India's youth, stating they should commit to working 70 hours weekly for national progress.
Young India Needs Sense of Purpose Not SOPs
We talk about young people as if they are a species to be studied and managed instead of mainstreaming and engaging with them as the largest stakeholder of our polity. Sixty percent of India's population is under 30 years old, yet meaningful youth participation in shaping the nation's direction remains limited.
Below is a selection of recent writing on India's political economy, youth futures, and democratic governance. For the latest analysis and to receive updates directly in your inbox, visit and subscribe on Substack.