Shows
Energy vs Climate: How climate is changing our energy systemsRewiring a Nation of 1.4 Billion: India’s Energy Transition with Dr. Jai AsundiDavid, Sara, and Ed chat with Dr. Jai Asundi, Executive Director of the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), an independent Indian think tank. Dr. Asundi has been leading CSTEP since 2009, connecting data, modeling, and policy to tackle India's energy and climate challenges. They dive into India's electricity grid, the EV revolution, oil and gas dependency, and where energy meets geopolitics.About Our GuestDr Jai Asundi is the Executive Director at the Center for Study of Science, T...
2025-11-1945 min
The India Energy Hour Presented by 101ReportersFrom Labs to Laws: How Science Can Shape India’s Climate Future | ft. Dr. Jai AsundiSolving the climate crisis—whether by scaling renewable energy or phasing down fossil fuels—requires rigorous, science-based policy that delivers win-win solutions for stakeholders. In this episode, Dr. Jai Asundi, Executive Director of the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), shares how to navigate India’s complex energy and climate policy landscape to ensure research doesn’t just sit on shelves, but actively shapes decisions for a sustainable future.Full transcript of the episode is available in English.Presented by 101ReportersJai Asundi is on LinkedIn and TwitterFoll...
2025-09-181h 03
In SolidarityClimate and The Invisible Workforce with Dr. Indu Murthy from CSTEPIn this episode of In Solidarity, we’re joined by Dr. Indu Murthy, Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSTEP, where she leads work on climate resilience, sustainability, and environmental policy.With decades of experience in conducting climate vulnerability assessments across India, Dr. Murthy brings sharp insight into how climate risk frameworks can - and must - better include women workers in the informal sector.In this episode, we speak with her about why smaller women-led collectives like primary cooperatives and nano enterprises need tools to assess and adapt to climate risks. We also explore the state of climate preparedness in...
2025-07-2944 min
Energizing India PodcastEP 60 | Bangalore's pollution- a victim of its own economic success. Can EVs change that? | Thirumalai NC⚡️⚡️Energizing India Podcast Alert! ⚡️⚡️
Bangalore's pollution- a victim of its own economic success. Can EVs change that? | Thirumalai NC, Sector Head - Strategic Studies at CSTEP
In this episode of the Energizing India Podcast, we head to India’s tech capital — Bangalore — a city at the heart of innovation, but also at the edge of an infrastructure overload.
With startups like Ola, Ather, and Exponent leading India’s clean mobility revolution, Bangalore is setting the stage for what’s to come in 20 more cities. However, rapid economic growth comes with a paradox: 80% of households now own personal vehicles, and the city’s air quality is plum...
2025-04-2436 min
The CruxChoked: India Gasps for AirAs winter looms, millions across North India enter a recurring nightmare: toxic air that makes every breath a challenge. But this isn’t just a North Indian crisis—cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are increasingly feeling the chokehold too.Join us in this episode of ‘The Crux’ as we speak to Dr. R. Subramanian, Sector Head of Air Quality at Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP). With a PhD from Carnegie Mellon University and unmatched expertise in research, Dr. Subramanian shares insights into the health impacts, policy measures, and potential solutions to India’s air poll...
2024-11-1846 min
The Morning BriefCOP29: Who will Pay for Climate Action?As COP 29 unfolds, the stakes are higher than ever. The focus this year is on new climate finance targets. The question is the same: Will developed countries pay up to help the poorer nations battle climate change? And where will the money come from? Host Anirban Chowdhury speaks with Urmi Goswami, Special Correspondent at Economic Times, and Dr. Jai Asundi, Executive Director at CSTEP, to explore whether nations are walking the talk. From India’s evolving stance on energy transition to the G77+China’s position on NCQG, this episode deals with the most pressing issues. T...
2024-11-1424 min
Brewed For ChangeThinking Green: A Conversation with Dr. Jai AsundiOur host, Ritika Jajoo sat down with Jai Asundi, Executive Director of Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy is one of India's leading think tanks with a mission to enrich policymaking with innovative approaches using science and technology for a sustainable, secure, and inclusive society. CSTEP works with governments and institutions to develop solutions using science and technology. The conversation touches on subjects such as the importance of energy transition, climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and decentralized renewable energy sources. Dr. Asundi also speaks about CSTEP's work, including a report that discusses what is going to happen as...
2024-08-1944 min
CSTEP_IndiaPERSPECTIVE XCHANGE ‘Elevating Southern Voices: The Global South Perspective’This episode of Perspective Xchange features a discussion between Dr Jai Asundi (Executive Director, CSTEP) and Margarita Gómez (Executive Director, Southern Voice) on the work done by Southern Voice and the need to amplify the voice of the Global South.
Featuring: Jai Asundi and Margarita Gómez
Editor: Thejas Shawn Raj
Design: Bhawna Welturkar
Voice-Over Artist: Preston Paul
2024-08-1627 min
CSTEP_IndiaQUOTES & NOTES 'Vital Vigour: Kerala Towards Net Zero'This episode of Quotes & Notes brings to you the insights from a study that we conducted to aid Kerala’s efforts towards clean energy by financial year 2039-40, specifically by increasing the share of renewable energy in its generation mix.
Featuring: Rishu Garg and Mallik EV
Editor: Thejas Shawn Raj
Design: Alok Kumar Saha
Script: Rishu Garg, Mallik EV, Garima Singh
Voice-Over Artist: Garima Singh
2024-07-0806 min
Decarb ConnectCharacterizing the opportunity and unique challenges for India’s clean energy transition: Jai Asundi of CSTEP India’s watershed moment in climate-terms was the Paris COP where commitments were made on co2 sequestration, co2 intensity and renewables. More recently at COP Last year more commitments were made including hitting Net Zero by 2070. India is a developing industrial nation that needs to balance the right of a population to seek better overall living standards but which also needs to find the right response to internal and external calls for supporting its own industrials as they decarbonize. Post-CBAM, discussions are ongoing about the nature of a carbon market or more ca...
2024-03-1453 min
CSTEP_IndiaCurtain-Raiser for the eARTh InitiativeSreerekha Pillai, Head of Communication and Policy Engagement, in conversation with Radio Mirchi's RJ Jimmy on what makes the eARTH Intiative unique.
2023-10-2005 min
CSTEP_IndiaQuotes & Notes: Green GainsIn this edition of Quotes & Notes, we talk about our framework that can help quantify and report the substantial climate-positive outcomes of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), which currently go unrecorded.
Featuring: Tashina Madappa, Sahil Mathew, Kanchan Kargwal
Editor: Thejas Shawn Raj
Design: Bhawna Welturkar
Voice-Over Artist: Garima Singh
2023-04-2811 min
CSTEP_IndiaQuotes & Notes: Climate Atlas.The impacts of climate variability, climate change, and extreme events are visible globally and in India. The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 ranks India seventh, considering the extent to which our country has been affected by the impacts of weather-related events. In this context, CSTEP published Climate Atlases for the Southern, Central, Western, Eastern, North-Eastern, and Northern states of India. CSTEP’s Climate Atlases project district-level changes in temperature and rainfall pattern across regions in India in the next thirty years and compare data against the historical period, from 1990 to 2019. In this edition, we catch up with the chief architects of th...
2022-11-0908 min
CSTEP_IndiaQuotes & Notes - AI: Amplifying Climate ActionArtificial intelligence (AI) can be a powerful tool for strengthening India’s efforts to combat the intensifying impacts of climate change. In this episode, we talk about our study that assessed the potential of AI applications for aiding India’s climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives, especially in its water and transport sectors.
Editor-Mr Thejas Shawn Raj; Design-Mr Alok Kumar Saha & Ms Pooja Senthil; Script-Mr Rajesh Shenoy, Dr Anjali Taneja, Ms Karen Alphonso
2022-09-2915 min
CSTEP_IndiaPerspective Xchange - AI for ClimateIn this episode, we talk about how AI is being used by climate science researchers.
Featuring: Mr David Rolnick (Assistant Professor of Computer Science, McGill University; Co-founder and Chair of Climate Change AI); Dr Jai Asundi (Executive Director, CSTEP); Mr Rajesh Shenoy (Sector Head - AI & Digital Platform)
Credits - Visual Design: Alok Kumar Saha ; Narration: Merlin Francis ; Editor: Thejas Shawn Raj.
2022-09-1224 min
CSTEP_IndiaPerspective Xchange - E MobilityIn this episode of Perspective Xchange, CSTEP Executive Director Dr Jai Asundi talks to Ms Pramoda Gode, Senior Advisor at the World Economic Forum, on the current status of E Mobility in India and the way forward.
Credits - Visual Design: Alok Kumar Saha ; Narration: Merlin Francis ; Editor: Thejas Shawn Raj.
2022-09-0922 min
CSTEP_IndiaQuotes & Notes: The Ripple EffectIn this edition, we discuss the spillover effects of low-carbon policies on the economy.
Editor-Thejas Shawn Raj; Design-Alok Kumar Saha; Script-Ramya Natarajan
2022-08-2209 min
Everything Environment by Mongabay IndiaGigaWhat: Clean-washing by dams?Hydropower has been an old and reliable source of energy in India. Until a few years ago, India considered a hydropower project renewable only when the installed capacity was less than 25 megawatt (MW). But then, in 2019, the government of India decided to consider large hydropower projects as renewable projects too. This makes hydroelectricity a vital part of India's clean energy targets - installing 500 gigawatt (GW) of non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030. However, activists and researchers who have been working on issues related to the displacement of communities due to dam construction, and ecologists who study the impacts of...
2022-08-1325 min
CSTEP_IndiaQuotes & Notes: A Bird’s Eye View of PollutionIn this episode of Quotes & Notes, CSTEP researchers Dr Sreekanth Vakacherla and Dr Padmavati Kulkarni share insights on using satellite monitoring data to assess air pollution in select Indian cities.
Editor-Lydia Sareena N; Design-Alok Kumar Saha; Script-Reghu Ram R
2022-07-2806 min
IET Smart Cities SeriesClimate-resilient development in Indian Smart CitiesIndia is one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. What are the socio-technical and policy roadmaps we can consider to pivot our Smart Cities towards climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience - especially based on data, emerging technologies such as AI and machine-learning, and blockchain etc? A podcast interview with Dr Jai Asundi, Executive Director of CSTEP- Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy
2022-07-2514 min
DQ Deep TakesDeepTech Podcast: Uravu Labs' quest to make water out of thin airIf there is one universal threat that pervades modern generations, its climate change. With world leaders and activists determinedly finding solutions for it, there is a growing enthusiasm for the emergence of renewable concepts in all walks of life. As many parts of the world experience frequent droughts and unreliable water supplies, there is a immediate need to rethink the renewable revolution for water.
Uravu is leading the way. Incepted in 2019 by Pardeep Garg, Swapnil Shrivastav, Venkatesh R, and Govinda Balaji, Uravu Labs is dedicated to building a new type of atmospheric water generator that is 100% renewable. Ur...
2022-03-2818 min
CSTEP_IndiaQuotes & Notes: Riding Green with E-DEPOTIndia is witnessing a rapid pace of electric bus adoption in its urban public transport fleet. While it is the right move, it is not an easy one. In this episode, we talk about the challenges in deploying e-buses, and how the planning tool E-DEPOT offers holistic solutions to overcome them.
Editor-Lydia Sareena N; Design-Bhawna Welturkar; Script-Garima Singh
2022-02-1109 min
CSTEP_IndiaQuotes & Notes - Location Planning for Electric VehiclesElectric vehicles play a key role in the transition to clean energy. In this edition, we discuss the challenges involved in switching to electric vehicles and how location planning can help fast-track the transition.
Credits: Editor-Lydia Sareena N; Visual Design-Alok Kumar Saha;
2021-11-1819 min
THE ONE'S CHANGING THE WORLD -PODCASTINDIA'S CLIMATE CRISIS - JAI ASUNDI - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR : C-STEP16#climatecrisis #CodeRedForHumanity #globalwarming
Dr Jai Asundi is the Executive Director of C-STEP. He joined the organization in 2009 and has been involved in research and development (R&D) projects in various areas. His initial work was in the field of emergency and disaster management. He mentored teams across areas spanning climate, energy, and urban development. He spearheaded the establishment of AI for Social Impact as a sector of work and the creation of the Centre for Air Pollution Studies (CAPS) at C-STEP. His broader research interests lie in decision-making and the development of decision-support systems for diverse public-policy...
2021-08-221h 02
CSTEP_IndiaPerspective Xchange - Smart Grid Technologies & Clean Energy TransitionIn the latest edition of Perspective Xchange, CSTEP Executive Direction, Dr Jai Asundi, and Head of the Energy and Power Sector, Mr Abhishek Nath, speak to Mr Reji Kumar Pillai, President of the India Smart Grid Forum on enabling a clean energy future through a modern grid system.
Credits - Editor: Lydia Sareena; Visual Design: Bhawna Welturkar; Narration: Merlin Francis
2021-07-1422 min
CSTEP_IndiaPerspective Xchange – Power Sector TransitionsIn this episode of Perspective Xchange, CSTEP ED, Dr Jai Asundi, and Head of Energy and Power sector, Mr Abhishek Nath, join Mr Vipul Tuli, CEO of Sembcorp Industries, South Asia, and the Chair of FICCI's Power Committee, to discuss the challenges of charting a clean & green energy path.
Credits - Editor: Lydia Sareena; Visual Design: Bhawna Welturkar; Narration: Merlin Francis
2021-07-0528 min
Imagined TomorrowElectric scooters and cars rule Indian roadsShow notes: In this episode, we imagine a future where India has completely shifted to electric vehicles. Just charge your vehicle's battery and you're all set to go. Imagine never having to worry about rising petrol prices; and never having to inhale the toxic smoke that petrol and diesel cars, bikes and buses spew into the air. By emitting less carbon dioxide, you’re also helping the planet and securing your future. After all, electric vehicles are said to be the green transport of our future. What would it take for a country like India to get to...
2021-06-2939 min
CSTEP_IndiaPerspective Xchange - Renewable Energy & Citizen ImpactLack of access to quality energy is detrimental to lives and livelihoods. In this episode of Perspective Xchange, CSTEP ED, Dr Jai Asundi, and Head of Energy & Power Sector, Mr Abhishek Nath speak with Ms Deepali Khanna of The Rockefeller Foundation on improving energy access to meet various UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Credits - Editor: Lydia Sareena; Visual Design: Bhawna Welturkar; Narration: Merlin Francis
2021-06-1824 min
CSTEP_IndiaCSTEP Perspective Xchange - Ecosystem Restoration & Role of BusinessIn this episode of CSTEP’s podcast series ‘Perspective Xchange’, our Executive Director, Dr Jai Asundi, is in conversation with Dr Mukund Rajan, Chairman – ECube Investment Advisors, and also Chair of the Environment Committee at industry body FICCI. They discuss some important aspects of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) norms, and the role Indian industry needs to play in the areas of climate and sustainability.
Credits - Editor: Lydia Sareena; Visual Design: Bhawna Welturkar; Narration: Garima Singh
2021-06-0515 min
CSTEP_IndiaCSTEP Perspective Xchange - Businesses As A Force For Climate GoodIn the 6th episode of CSTEP’s PerspectiveXChange podcast series, Mr Pramod Bhasin, Chairman, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), discusses with Dr Jai Asundi, Executive Director, CSTEP, how businesses can act as a force for climate good. They emphasise the need for industry to stop seeing climate change as a hurdle and, instead, look upon it as an opportunity to create newer, better, and more climate-friendly businesses.
Credits: Editor: Lydia Sareena; Visual Design: Bhawna Welturkar; Narration: Merlin Francis
2021-05-1118 min
CSTEP_IndiaCSTEP Perspective Xchange - Strengthening the Innovation Ecosystem in IndiaThis episode of CSTEP's podcast series ‘Perspective Xchange’ has Dr Jai Asundi, Executive Director, CSTEP, in conversation with Padma Vibhushan awardee, Dr R A Mashelkar, Governing Council Chairperson, Marico Innovation Foundation, and former Director-General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), on how we can nurture an innovation ecosystem in India that maximises the potential and economic impact of research and innovation.
Editor-Lydia Sareena N; Visual Design-Bhawna Welturkar; Script-Garima
2021-05-0523 min
CSTEP_IndiaQuotes & Notes - RainWiseThe agriculture sector is vulnerable to climate change. In this edition, we discuss the risks posed by the changes in climate and rainfall patterns to rain-fed crops, and how to build their resilience.
Editor-Lydia Sareena N; Visual Design-Bhawna Welturkar; Script-Sreerekha Pillai
2021-03-3107 min
CSTEP_IndiaCSTEP Perspective Xchange – India’s Energy OutlookIn this episode of Perspective Xchange, we have with us Mr Tim Gould, Head of Division – Energy Supply and Investment Outlooks, at the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA). Mr Gould is in conversation with Dr Jai Asundi, Executive Director of CSTEP, and Mr Abhishek Nath, Sector Head – Energy & Power, at CSTEP. They discuss the IEA’s India Energy Outlook 2021, and how India has the opportunity to meet the aspirations of its citizens without following the high carbon-pathway that other economies have pursued in the past.
Credits - Editor: Lydia Sareena N; Visual Design: Bhawna Welturkar; Narrator: Merlin Francis.
2021-03-1721 min
CSTEP_IndiaCSTEP Perspective Xchange - Ethics in AIThe third episode of CSTEP's podcast series, Perspective Xchange, has CSTEP's Executive Director, Dr Jai Asundi, in conversation with Mr CP Gurnani, CEO & Managing Director of Tech Mahindra and former Chairman of NASSCOM, discussing issues around ethics in AI – who decides and how? Resolving this is key to enabling the scalable use of AI for social good.
Credits: Editor, Lydia Sareena N: Visual Design, Bhawna Welturkar: Narrator: Merlin Francis.
2021-03-1514 min
CSTEP_IndiaCSTEP Perspective Xchange - AI4GoodThe second episode of CSTEP's Perspective Exchange podcast series has CSTEP's Executive Director Dr Jai Asundi in conversation with Mr S Ramadorai, Former Vice Chairman, Tata Consultancy Services, to discuss the way forward for Artificial Intelligence and how it can act as a force for good benefiting all.
Editor-Lydia Sareena N; Visual Design-Bhawna Welturkar; Narrator–Merlin Francis.
2021-02-2625 min
CSTEP_IndiaCSTEP Review of International Energy Agency's "India Energy Outlook 2021"India's energy sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation, and the whole world is taking notice. The International Energy Agency has recently published a detailed report titled "India Energy Outlook 2021." In this podcast, CSTEP's Executive Director, Dr Jai Asundi, and Energy & Power Sector Head, Mr Abhishek Nath, discuss India’s power sector, the rising aspirations of its citizens, and the consequent impact on both energy and emissions, in light of the key findings of this report.
Credits: Editor-Lydia Sareena N; Visual Design-Bhawna Welturkar; Script & Narration-Merlin Francis
2021-02-2319 min
CSTEP_IndiaPerspective Xchange - With Dr Jai Asundi, Mr Kris Gopalakrishnan and Mr TV Mohandas PaiPerspective Xchange, CSTEP’s new podcast series, attempts to capture different perspectives
from thought leaders, industry experts, and policymakers on science and technology and its
impact on policy and society.
In our first episode, Dr Jai Asundi, Executive Director of CSTEP, speaks to Mr Kris
Gopalakrishnan (Chairman, Axilor Ventures, & Co-Founder and Former Vice-Chairman of
Infosys) and Mr TV Mohandas Pai (Chairman of the Board, Manipal Global, & Former Infosys
Board Member) on the implications of the National Research Foundation, announced in the
Union Budget 2021-22.
Credits: Editor-Lydia Sareena N; Visual Design-Bhawna Welturkar; Voice Over: Merlin Francis
2021-02-1126 min
CSTEP_IndiaQuotes & Notes - The Green SideThe southern states of India are leading renewable energy (RE) deployment in India. In this edition, we discuss the technical implications of high-RE injections for the electrical grid.
Editor-Lydia Sareena N; Visual Design-Bhawna Welturkar; Script-Sreerekha Pillai
2021-01-1908 min
CSTEP_IndiaQuotes & Notes - Lighting Up LivesFrom kerosene lamps to LED lamps—that’s how far Kudagaon, a remote island-village in the Indian state of Odisha, has come. In this edition, we discuss how mini-grids could be the answer to electricity woes in remote areas with difficult terrains.
Credits: Editor-Lydia Sareena N; Visual Design-Bhawna Welturkar; Script-Sreerekha Pillai
2020-12-2210 min
CSTEP_IndiaQuotes & Notes - Power PlayElectricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) are known as the weakest link in India’s electricity supply chain. In this edition, we analyse where the power sector in India is going wrong and propose solutions to make DISCOMs more efficient.
Editor - Lydia Sareena N; Visual Design - Bhawna Welturkar; Script -
Sreerekha Pillai
2020-11-2008 min
CSTEP_IndiaQuotes & Notes - Clear The AirPatna ranks among the five most polluted cities in the world. It has also been identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in India as one of the 122 non-attainment cities in the country. This podcast discusses the Patna Clean Air Action Plan, prepared for the state government by the Centre for Air Pollution Studies (CAPS) at the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP).
Editor - Lydia Sareena N; Visual Design - Bhawna Welturkar; Script - Sreerekha Pillai
2020-10-1314 min