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Indias Economic Confidence Uncomfortably Uncertain: Ipsos Study
MUMBAI: India’s economic confidence recovered marginally but it remains uncomfortably uncertain as food inflation remains sky high and economic growth dwindling, according to a report by global research firm Ipsos.
According to the “Ipsos Economic Pulse of the World” survey, India’s economic confidence increased by only 1 points to 54 percent in the month of September compared to the month of August 2013, however its rating further got pulled down to eighth most economically confident country in the world, as sentiments in G8 and other developed countries improve.
Thirty four percent Indian Citizen believe a further decline of 2 points. However, what is alarming is generally optimist Indians have turned pessimist, with only 40 per cent people expecting that the economy in their local area will be stronger in next six months, a drop of further 3 points.
Mick Gordon, CEO, Ipsos in India said, “India’s sizable current-account deficit compared to its economic output, nearly double-digit inflation in consumer prices and dwindling economic growth is making India’s economic sentiments uncomfortably uncertain.”
“Perhaps the crucial general election next year is limiting governments’ ability to make politically unappetizing economic decisions to implement drastic reforms to revive economic growth and to boost the weakening rupee,” added Gordon.
The online Ipsos Economic Pulse of the World survey was conducted in August 2013 among 18,503 people in 25 countries.
After a stagnant June/July, the average global economic assessment of national economies surveyed in 25 countries takes a turn for the better this month as 39% of global citizen’s rate their national economies to be ‘good.’ This shift largely reflects the inclusion of Norway in the global aggregate. Without Norway, the average is 37%, up one point from last sounding.
Source: Ipsos
A substantial margin continues to exist at the top of the global ratings between global leader Norway (97%), and runners-up Saudi Arabia (82%), Sweden (70%), Germany (67%), Canada (66%), China (63%), Australia (56%) and India (54%). Only a handful of those in Spain (5%) rate their national economies as ‘good’, followed by Italy (8%), France (9%), and Hungary (11%)
Countries with the greatest improvements in this wave: Indonesia (53%, 11pts), South Africa (25%, 5pts), Poland (23%, 3pts), South Korea (20%, 3pts), France (9%, 3pts) and Italy (8%, 3pts).
A strong majority of Brazilians (64%) continue to indicate they predict their local economies will be stronger in the next six months. A gap persists in between Brazilian ratings and the rest of the highest-ranking countries: Saudi Arabia (51%), Argentina (41%), India (40%), Indonesia (37%) and China (35%).
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Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
