Economist Prachi Mishra to Decode Budget 2026-27 and US Trade Deal in Exclusive Session
In a significant development for economic discourse, Prachi Mishra, Professor of Economics at Ashoka University, will be the featured guest at The Indian Express' Explained.Live session today, February 4, 2026. The session, scheduled for 6 PM, comes at a pivotal moment as India navigates a series of major economic events that have unfolded in just the first few days of February.
A Month of Economic Turbulence and Opportunity
February 2026 has proven to be exceptionally eventful for India's economy, despite being only three days old. The month kicked off with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presenting the Union Budget for 2026-27 on Sunday. This budget introduced a new fiscal consolidation framework targeting the debt-to-GDP ratio and included a hike in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options trading, which triggered a notable stock market downturn.
Adding to the economic drama, late Monday saw US President Donald Trump announce a landmark trade agreement. This deal will slash tariffs on Indian exports from 50% to 18%, a move that has already buoyed market sentiment. On Tuesday, India's stock markets recorded their most substantial gains in nearly months, while the rupee appreciated by over 1% against the US dollar, recovering from last week's near 92-per-dollar level.
Upcoming Data Releases and Economic Overhauls
The economic action is far from over. Next week, on February 12, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is set to release an updated Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation series. This new series, with a base year of 2024 and a consumption basket reflecting patterns from the 2023-24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, will be critical for the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) interest rate decisions.
Furthermore, on February 27, MoSPI will unveil another major overhaul: a new GDP series. These updates underscore a period of significant transformation in India's official statistics, with far-reaching implications for policy and investment.
Expert Insight from Prachi Mishra
To help make sense of these rapid developments, The Indian Express has invited Prachi Mishra, who also serves as Director and Head of Ashoka University's Isaac Centre for Public Policy. She will engage in conversation with Siddharth Upasani, Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express. The session, titled "What's the Big Picture of Budget 2026-27?", aims to provide deep insights into the current economic landscape.
Mishra brings a wealth of experience to the discussion, having worked across key stakeholders in the Indian and global economy. Her distinguished career includes roles as:
- Senior Economist in the Office of the Chief Economic Advisor
- Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister
- Head of the Reserve Bank of India's Strategic Research Unit
- Goldman Sachs' Chief India Economist from 2018 to 2020
- Head of the International Monetary Fund's Systemic Issues Division until 2024
With a PhD in Economics from Columbia University, Mishra was also part of MoSPI's expert group on the Comprehensive Updation of the Consumer Price Index, giving her unique authority on the upcoming inflation data.
About Explained.Live
Explained.Live is a distinctive series of explanatory conversations hosted by The Indian Express, designed to unpack complex issues for a broad audience. Today's session promises to be a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the interplay between domestic policy, international trade, and economic indicators shaping India's future.
