

The Core Report
The Core
Every Monday to Saturday, tune in as financial journalist and host Govindraj Ethiraj gives you the latest news in business, economy and technology
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 9, 2026 • 30min
#770 Why Natural Gas Is Becoming India’s Most Important Energy Fuel | Govindraj Ethiraj | India Energy Week 2026 | The Core Report
Why natural gas is becoming India’s most important energy fuel and how GAIL is using AI and gas pipelines to power India’s growth is the focus of this Core Report India Energy Week 2026 Special Episode.Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Chairman & MD, GAIL (India) about how the expansion of India’s gas pipeline network and LNG sourcing is reshaping the country’s energy landscape. From city gas distribution and domestic PNG and CNG adoption to manufacturing, fertilisers, power, and petrochemicals, natural gas is emerging as a critical pillar of India’s economic growth and energy security.The discussion also explores how GAIL is using artificial intelligence across pipeline operations, infrastructure monitoring, and industrial systems to improve efficiency, reliability, and long-term returns. It looks at AI in energy management, the realities of global LNG markets, and how geopolitical shifts are influencing India’s energy strategy.As India moves toward cleaner energy and net zero goals, this episode explains why natural gas remains central to the transition and how large-scale infrastructure, technology, and disciplined investment are shaping the future of India’s energy sector.For India-based professionals interested in business news, energy markets, infrastructure, technology, and economic strategy, this conversation offers clear insights into one of the most important transformations underway.#NaturalGasIndia #GAILIndia #IndiaEnergy #EnergyInfrastructure #BusinessNewsIndia #IndiaEnergyWeek2026 #TheCoreReport #TheCoreRegister for India Energy Week 2026: https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegate

Jan 8, 2026 • 26min
#769 Markets Take A Beating On 500% Tariff Threat
On Episode 769 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Sushil Choksey, Director, Indus Equity Advisors. We also feature an excerpt from our recent India Energy Week interview with Arvinder Singh Sahney, Chairman of IOCL.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) Markets take a beating on 500% tariff threat(04:13) Inflation could come in around 1.5% for the last month(05:09) How Indian Oil is targeting higher value realisations from retail outlets(13:55) Why are Reliance share prices falling?(23:25) FeedbackRegister for India Energy Week 2026https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegateFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube

Jan 7, 2026 • 30min
#768 Geopolitical Tensions Are In Full Sway Over Indian Markets
On Episode 768 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Vandana Hari, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Vanda Insights as well as Gulam Zia, Senior Executive Director, Research Advisory, Infrastructure And Valuation at Knight Frank.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:09) Geopolitical tensions are in full sway over Indian markets(03:31) Rupee rises above Rs 90 to the dollar, at Rs 89.88(03:55) India’s advance GDP estimates reinforce the resilience theme(06:25) How America’s move to bring home Venezuelan oil will affect global markets(16:50) India’s residential market slowed in 2025 but commercial real estate set new records and 2026 outlookRegister for India Energy Week 2026https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegateFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube

Jan 7, 2026 • 35min
How Indian Oil Is Turning Fuel Pumps Into Energy Hubs | Govindraj Ethiraj x Arvinder Singh Sahney | India Energy Week 2026 | The Core Report
Indian Oil is turning fuel pumps into energy hubs and it signals a fundamental shift in how India will power mobility and growth. In The Core Report India Energy Week 2026 Special Edition, Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Arvinder Singh Sahney, Chairman, IOCL about why petrol pumps are becoming multi energy stations with EV charging, CNG, battery swapping, renewables, and future fuels.This episode explores Indian Oil’s rapid expansion across 40,000 plus retail outlets, 20,000 km of pipelines, and record volumes crossing 100 million tonnes. It explains why demand for petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, gas, and petrochemicals continues to grow even as electric vehicles scale up. The discussion also unpacks the real economics of EV charging and why Indian Oil is focused on owning more of the value chain through renewable power, batteries, and critical minerals processing including urban mining from e waste.You will hear how refineries of the future are being reshaped around petrochemicals at hubs like Panipat and Paradip, and what this means for India’s industrial and export ambitions. The conversation looks ahead to India Energy Week 2026, covering green hydrogen for mobility, sustainable aviation fuel India, ethanol blending, flex fuel research, compressed biogas CBG, and R and D efforts to indigenise energy technologies.If you track India economy, business news, energy transition, oil and gas, electric vehicles, and clean energy, this conversation offers a grounded view of what is changing and why it matters now.Listen till the end to understand how India’s largest oil company is preparing for a future where energy security, sustainability, and scale must move together.#IndiaEnergyWeek2026 #EnergyTransition #IndianOil #FutureOfEnergy #EVIndia #TheCoreReport #TheCoreRegister for India Energy Week 2026: https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegate

Jan 6, 2026 • 34min
#767 Global Markets Including Asia Zoom Ahead As India Lags
On Episode 767 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Dinshaw Irani, Managing Director and CEO at Helios Capital as well as Dr Sanjaya Baru, the author of the book Secession of the Successful: The Flight Out of New India.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Global markets including Asia are zooming ahead even as India lags(05:45) Reliance stock takes a knock amidst confusion and hasty denials over its oil imports(08:06) Oil prices edge up but largely steady(10:11) Long term investing themes for 2026, what could grow and what will not?(20:50) Indians are not much wanted globally, whether as workers or students. What could this mean globally?(31:40) EV sales are slowing down world overRegister for India Energy Week 2026https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegateFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube

12 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 25min
#766 Why Markets Are Not Really Going Anywhere
Amit Goel, Co-founder and Chief Global Strategist at PACE360, and Anindya Banerjee, Head of Currency and Commodity Research at Kotak Securities, join the conversation. They explore why markets are stagnating despite high valuations and discuss the implications of Venezuelan developments on oil and metal prices. Goel provides insights into the bullish short-term outlook for gold and silver, while Banerjee emphasizes geopolitical factors driving demand for these metals. The dialogue uncovers the intricate dynamics shaping today’s financial landscape.

Jan 4, 2026 • 31min
#765 Will Third Quarter Results Power Markets Further?
On Episode 765 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Indrani Bagchi, CEO, Ananta Aspen Centre. We also feature an excerpt from our recent Energy Special featuring Vartika Shukla, Chairman and Managing Director at Engineers India Limited (EIL).SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(05:19) Will third quarter results power markets further?(08:52) Why Venezuela is unlikely to affect oil prices for now(10:19) India’s car sales on strong wicket(11:57) Will the US-India trade agreement be back on the front burner?(20:04) Engineers India diversity of consulting work offers insights into the new energy mix globally(29:04) A car company that Elon Musk laughed at has beaten himRegister for India Energy Week 2026https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegateFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube

Jan 3, 2026 • 50min
#764 Solar Cookers to Modular Nuclear Reactors: The Engineers Transforming India | Govindraj Ethiraj | The Core Report
India’s energy transition is entering a decisive phase. In this India Energy Week 2026 Energy Special episode of The Core Report, we explore how solar cookers and modular nuclear reactors reflect the scale and ambition of the engineers transforming India’s energy future. Financial Journalist Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Vartika Shukla, Chairman & MD, Engineers India Limited (EIL), on what it really takes to design, build, and execute the next generation of energy infrastructure.The conversation moves from cutting the cost and weight of solar cookers for Indian households to India’s readiness for small modular nuclear reactors, a critical piece of reliable and low-carbon power. We also unpack record-breaking work in clean energy and biofuels, including India’s bamboo-based 2G ethanol refinery, the push toward sustainable aviation fuel, and why rising data center power demand is reshaping energy planning across the country.This special episode, recorded around India Energy Week 2026, offers rare insight into how engineering, policy, capital, and execution come together in real projects, from mega installations in Nigeria to advanced energy investments at home. It is a must-watch for professionals interested in India’s economy, energy security, manufacturing, and the future of infrastructure.Topics discussed in this episode:a) Solar cookers and demand-side solutions for energy affordabilityb) Modular nuclear reactors and the future of nuclear power in Indiac) Bamboo-based 2G ethanol and advanced biofuel technologiesd) Sustainable aviation fuel and ethanol blending beyond road transporte) Data centers, AI, and India’s next surge in electricity demandf) Lessons from executing large energy projects in India and overseasSubscribe to The Core Report for in-depth conversations on business, policy, technology, and the forces shaping India’s growth.#TheCoreReport #IndiaEnergyWeek2026 #IndiaEnergy #EnergyTransition #BusinessNews #TheCoreRegister for India Energy Week 2026: https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegate

8 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 47min
#763 Is 2026 India’s Biggest Reform Moment Since 1991? Gurcharan Das Explains | Govindraj Ethiraj | The Core Report
In this episode of The Core Report Special Edition, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj is in conversation with Gurcharan Das, author and commentator, on whether 2026 could become India’s biggest reform moment since 1991 and if the country can finally cut red tape, boost manufacturing, and create jobs at scale.As US tariffs and global trade shifts reset supply chains, India has responded with steps like GST reform, labour codes, easing non tariff barriers, and changes to quality control orders. But the deeper question remains. Why did India grow strongly after the 1991 economic reforms, lift millions out of poverty, and still struggle to create enough factory jobs, exports, and global manufacturing leaders?The conversation explores how overregulation, protectionism, and policy bottlenecks weakened competitiveness, and why deregulation and business friendly reforms could unlock investment, exports, and mass employment. Gurcharan Das also explains what India can learn from the iPhone manufacturing shift, the role of exports in driving prosperity, and how 2026 could shape India’s long term growth story.If you follow the India economy, economic reforms, business and world news, manufacturing, exports, global trade, tariffs, investment, and job creation, this episode offers context, clarity, and perspective on what may lie ahead.Like, share, and subscribe to The Core Report for in depth conversations on India’s economy, policy, markets, and global trends.#IndiaEconomy #EconomicReforms #Manufacturing #Jobs #GlobalTrade #TheCore #TheCoreReport

Dec 29, 2025 • 43min
#762 Will We Say Goodbye to OTPs in 2026? The Next Authentication Era | Govindraj Ethiraj | The Core Report
Will We Say Goodbye to OTPs in 2026? As India enters the next authentication era, this episode of The Core Report explores whether one-time passwords are finally reaching the end of the road and what could replace them in banking, payments, and everyday digital life.In this special edition, Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Pramod Varma, Co-Founder & Chief Architect, Networks For Humanity (NFH), Co-Creator, FINTERNET & BECKN Protocol, architect behind Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, eSign, Account Aggregator, and ONDC, to unpack how India’s digital public infrastructure is quietly moving beyond OTPs. From face authentication and biometrics to smartphone-based security, layered KYC, and verifiable credentials, this conversation explains why the current system feels broken and what a smarter, more inclusive model could look like by 2026.As digital scams rise and compliance burdens grow, are OTPs still the safest option or have they become a bottleneck? Why do banks still rely on paper, repeated KYC, and friction-heavy verification when India already has the technology to go fully digital? And could Aadhaar-based face authentication and app-driven cryptographic security offer a future that is both safer and easier for consumers and businesses?This episode breaks down the future of authentication in India, the shift away from OTP-based security, and what it means for financial services, digital identity, KYC reform, and ease of doing business. Essential viewing for professionals tracking fintech, policy, digital transformation, and India’s evolving digital economy.Subscribe to The Core Report for conversations shaping India’s business, policy, and digital economy.#OTPs #DigitalIndia #Authentication #Fintech #TheCoreReport #TheCore


