Priyanka Hegde is a Bengaluru-based economics correspondent covering institutional development and structural reform. Her analysis draws on comparative political economy across emerging markets.
Recent work
D2C Startups Build Factories, Not Just Brands — and India's Manufacturing Ambition Grows With Them
A growing cohort of Indian D2C startups is moving manufacturing in-house, trading third-party flexibility for control over quality, lead times, and margins. Founders cite faster product iteration and reduced copying risk as core motivations. The shift carries implications well beyond individual businesses — it deepens domestic manufacturing value chains at precisely the moment India needs them most.
Global Insurers Bet on India as 100% FDI Opens the Door
India's insurance regulator IRDAI has approved one application for 100% foreign ownership and is reviewing a second, confirming that the 2024 FDI liberalisation is attracting genuine capital flows. IRDAI chairperson Ajay Seth sees life insurance catching up with non-life as a destination for foreign equity. The development carries implications for insurance penetration, product diversity, and India's ongoing trade negotiations.
Euro's Global Rise Opens New Pathway for India's Currency Diversification Strategy
The euro's international role reached around 20% across key metrics in 2025, driven by record debt issuance and green bond leadership. This strengthening provides India with enhanced opportunities for currency diversification away from dollar dependence through bilateral trade mechanisms and strategic reserve composition adjustments.
Private Banks Fast-Track Jansuraksha Integration as India Expands Digital Insurance Access
The finance ministry is accelerating private bank integration with the Jansuraksha portal to expand digital access to government insurance and pension schemes. While public banks have dominated these low-margin products, private lenders are being pushed to serve underserved populations as part of India's broader financial inclusion strategy.
India Reinforces Electric Two-Wheeler Push Through Extended Subsidy Strategy
The government plans to extend and expand subsidies for electric two-wheelers under the PM E-Drive scheme, which has subsidized 2.35 million vehicles against a 2.47 million target. The move reflects India's strategic commitment to reducing petroleum imports and achieving EV transition goals.
India's Electronics Giants Navigate Beyond Smartphones as Strategic Sectors Beckon
Major Indian electronics manufacturers are shifting from smartphone assembly to higher-margin defense, medical and industrial electronics as consumer demand weakens. The transition reflects India's evolving manufacturing capabilities beyond low-value assembly toward strategic sector independence.
Federal Reserve Payment Account Proposal Reinforces India's Multi-Track Infrastructure Strategy
The Federal Reserve's proposal for specialized payment accounts for eligible financial institutions reflects global trends toward diversified payment infrastructure that align with India's strategic emphasis on payment sovereignty through UPI and BRICS initiatives.