RESEARCH BY KARNATAKA CHAPTER :
1. Swadeshi Mela as a Local Economic Engine: From Cultural Consumption to MSME-led Self-Reliance
Organiser, February 2026
Ashutosh Kashyap
The article argues that Swadeshi Melas are powerful local economic engines that connect MSMEs, artisans, and consumers while promoting indigenous products. It highlights their role in generating livelihoods, supporting women’s entrepreneurship, and strengthening local value chains. The article concludes that Swadeshi Melas are an effective model for advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat through culturally rooted and sustainable economic development.
Link: organiser.org — Swadeshi Mela as a Local Economic Engine
2. Union Budget 2026-27: A Yuva Shakti Budget Anchored in Kartavya and Viksit Bharat
Organiser, February 2026
Dr. S. Lingamurthy and Ashutosh Kashyap
This review of the Union Budget 2026-27 examines it as a youth-focused, Kartavya-guided budget building towards Viksit Bharat 2047, highlighting the proposed High-Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat and measures on industrial clusters, semiconductor manufacturing and MSME financing. It specifically identifies Karnataka as a direct beneficiary through revived industrial clusters, the MSME Growth Fund, and the Corporate Mitra framework supporting the state’s startup ecosystem.
Link: organiser.org — Union Budget 2026-27
3. Navigating Tariff Turbulence: The Role of Indian Banks in Export Resilience
ORF Issue Brief No. 863, Observer Research Foundation, March 2026
Ashutosh Kashyap and Bimlesh Shah
This research brief examines how the 2026 US tariff hikes on Indian exports of electronics, gems and jewellery, textiles and chemicals squeeze exporter margins and strain bank lending, since export credit growth has lagged overall bank credit and remains concentrated in MSME-heavy sectors. It recommends risk-based lending, ECGC-backed credit guarantees, currency-hedging instruments, and diversification finance under agreements such as India-UAE CEPA and India-Australia ECTA.
Link: orfonline.org — Navigating Tariff Turbulence
4. Negotiating from Strength: India’s Trade Engagement with the United States under Modi
Organiser, March 2026
Ashutosh Kashyap and Dr. S. Lingamurthy
This article analyses how India secured a favourable trade understanding with the US despite the threat of 50% tariffs, by exercising
strategic patience while simultaneously expanding FTAs with the EU, UAE, Australia and the UK. It argues that India’s diversified trade base and rising domestic demand reduced its vulnerability to US pressure, ultimately prompting Washington to recalibrate its stance, with strong sector-wise gains for electronics, gems & jewellery and engineering goods.
Link: organiser.org — Negotiating from Strength
5. Not Lagging, But Scaling: India’s Strategic Push in Renewable Energy and EVs
Organiser, August 2026
Ashutosh Kashyap and Dr. S. Lingamurthy
This article argues that India is not trailing but scaling systematically in clean energy and electric mobility, citing large solar parks — Bhadla, Pavagada, Rewa and Khavda — that have shifted the sector from subsidy-dependence to self-sustaining markets. It notes record two-wheeler EV sales of about 1.91 lakh units in March 2026 (9.8% market share), with 61% year-on-year growth sustained into April 2026, and India’s roughly 20% average renewable-energy usage among firms, ahead of the US and Japan.
Link: organiser.org — Not Lagging, But Scaling
6. Self-reliance in shipping technology: A roadmap to strategic technological independence
Organiser | September 2026
Ashutosh Kashyap and Rupali Joshi
Research focus
India’s maritime transformation requires more than expanding shipyard capacity: it also requires domestic capability to design, manufacture, equip, operate and maintain ships using Indian technologies. The article examines vulnerabilities arising from dependence on imported marine engines, navigation and communication systems, automation, electronics and spare parts, including exposure to exchange-rate movements, long delivery periods and geopolitical disruptions.
Key themes
- Indigenous marine engines and equipment manufacturing
- Domestic navigation, communication and maritime electronics
- Marine equipment clusters, supplier development and certification
- Technology transfer, local value addition and targeted incentives
- A phased roadmap towards greater technological independence by 2047
Central argument
The article argues that genuine maritime self-reliance depends on progressively capturing more technology, intellectual property, domestic supplier value, skilled employment and export capability across the maritime value chain—not merely increasing the number of ships built in India.
Link: organiser.org — self-reliance in shipping technology
Looking Ahead
Building on its webinar series and multi-state outreach, the Karnataka Chapter aims to deepen its research contributions across the ten priority verticals — from semiconductors and cybersecurity to agriculture and indigenous knowledge systems — while expanding collaboration with academic institutions, industry, and government bodies in Karnataka and across India.
As part of the Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan, Karnataka Chapter is committed to translating research and dialogue into actionable policy recommendations that support India’s journey towards a self-reliant, secure, and prosperous Bharat in step with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
