Zero Down

When platforms vanish overnight, how does a generation react? How did Gen Z turn online trends into protest, and what hidden rules might be guiding their moves? In this episode of Zero Down, join Muskan and Rama as they unpack Nepal’s social media ban, the Nepo Kids trend that exposed political privilege, and the hidden game theory behind youth action. From viral outrage to real world mobilization...

In today’s episode, Nandini, Anika and Anusmita dive into the significance of the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement, a landmark pact linking two of the world’s largest economic powers, India and the European Union. We’ll examine what this agreement means for global supply chains, investment flows, and strategic alliances in an era marked by protectionism and geopolitical uncertainty. From...

Join Himanshi and Hardik for a conversation that looks beyond the scoreboard. This episode reimagines India’s Women’s World Cup victory as an economic turning point, unpacking women’s cricket through the lenses of sports economics, labour markets and investment theory. From match scarcity and income volatility to market failure and untapped consumer demand, the discussion reveals why women’s crick...

Dive into the world of digital payments with this episode on UPI, as Yana and Sneha explore its transformative journey in India. From its humble beginnings to becoming more than a payment method, UPI is reshaping the way India transacts! Let's unpack Metcalfe’s law behind its rapid growth, the two-sided market dynamics, zero-MDR advantage, and innovations like UPI on feature phones, wearables, and...

Ever wondered why you hesitate before texting first, overthink double texts, or feel stuck planning outings that never happen? Turns out, you’ve been using game theory all along. In this episode of the Zero Down Podcast by Arthashastra, Miranda House, Poorti and Mahak explore how economic concepts like the Prisoner’s Dilemma, Nash Equilibrium, Tit-for-Tat, free-riding, and signalling show up in ev...

Swipe into the chaos of modern romance with Devanshi and Tanvi as they unpack the Economics of Online Dating. From right-swipes to ghosting seasons, they explore how attention became a currency, why some profiles explode in demand while others get buried, and how apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge ended up running an oligopoly on our love lives. They dive into supply-demand curves on attraction,...

Labubu isn’t just a collectable — it’s a billion dollar hype machine. In this episode we break down how Labubus made their way into the market, why blind boxes are so addictive and how Pop mart made a brilliant use of the hype.

Concerts aren’t just about the music anymore! they’re an entire economy of their own. In this episode, Nandinii and Vanshika explore the fascinating economics behind the rise of concert culture, especially in India. From the multiplier effect that fuels local businesses every time a major gig comes to town, to the booming resell culture and parallel ticket economy that fans either hate or can’t es...

Join Bhadra and Kashish as they turn a shopping trip to Delhi’s iconic Sarojini Nagar into a crash course in game theory. From bargaining tricks and price wars to the Nash Equilibrium and the Prisoner’s Dilemma, this episode uncovers the hidden strategies behind every deal. Witty, sharp, and full of real-world insights, it’s the economic playbook you didn’t know you needed for your next Sarojini h...

Have you freshly turned into a voter? Are you wondering whom to vote for?  Before you decide, dive into this podcast and walk with Gargi and Anusmita around the world of politics looked at through the lens of Game Theory. Discover the various kinds of games played by political parties and unveil what goes on in the minds of every voter simultaneously that impacts on the election results. Yes, this...

In this episode, Nandinii and Manya use game theory to unpack India and Pakistan's nuclear strategies. Through the classic Prisoner's Dilemma experiment, they explore how strategic decisions, mutual distrust, and historical tensions direct the prospect of peace and conflict in one of the most volatile nuclear flashpoints - and what it would take to break the cycle

Is China helping countries grow or trapping them in debt? In this episode of Zero Down, Priyadarshini and Manya explore the geopolitical motives and economic impacts behind unsustainable debt practices. From ports in Sri Lanka to railways in Africa, we look who's gaining, who's slipping, and what it means for global power dynamics.

In this episode of the Zero Down Podcast, join the heads, Tanya and Prapti for a discussion on international trade, reciprocal tariffs and the impact on the current economic and geopolitical scenario.

In this episode of Zero Down Podcast's non member series, ZDP Shots, Devika, Bhadra, and Diya spill the tea (from the Stanley Cup) about why we feel the urge to buy things that we do not necessarily need. From engineered scarcity, sunk cost fallacy, to herd mentality and other concepts, join them as they explore different behavioural economics theories manipulating consumer demand - and why it wor...

Women have been locked out of the literary arena - not because they weren't writing, but because they weren't being published, read, or remembered, Joanna Russ said. Through Virginia Woolf, Betty Friedan, Emily Dickinson, the Bronte sisters and others, this episode delves into the works and lives of women who almost got lost in time. Join Gargi and Manya as they explore the economics behind this p...

In this episode of the Zero Down Podcast, Tanya, Usheer, and Vanshika explore "The Great Indian Brain Drain." While the news of someone of Indian origin becoming the CEO of a major global company often fills us with pride, it also raises an important question: does this reflect a significant loss of talent for India? Tune in for a deep dive into the causes behind this phenomenon and examine variou...

In this episode of Zero Down, Join Kashish and Prapti piecing together the what-why-hows of labour migration in India. Using the Harris-Todaro model as a framework, we break down how migrants weigh expected income against the risks of unemployment in cities like Delhi and Bangalore. Why do millions leave their hometowns? What role does the informal sector play? And how does migration reshape India...

Ever wondered why people go gaga over Birkins and Bentleys worth hundreds of thousands of dollars? In this episode of Zero Down Podcast, we unravel why, even amidst wars, recessions, and widespread struggles for basic survival, the glamour of luxury remains unshaken. Why do consumers, despite economic uncertainty, chase the $4M Mustang? Is it about status, aspiration, or something deeper in human...

Were the allegations against Adani true? How does Hindenburg create profit? When did SEBI get involved? In this episode of Zero Down, join Gargi and Manya as they analyse the Adani-Hindenburg controversy, its implications and how a single report can lead to so many consequences when the stock market is in question.

In this episode, join Tanvi and Usheer to explore the economics behind Ratan Tata's journey. They discuss the global expansion of Tata Group, the challenges and controversies faced along the way, and how these moves reshaped Indian business worldwide.

In this episode, Vanshika and Prapti introduce the concept of "Sunk Cost Fallacy," exploring relatable examples, and discussing reasons behind it and ways to avoid falling into its trap.

This episode is our first group discussion, dissecting one of the most debated topics in the field of economics: Trickle-Down Theory. Trickle-down economics refers to policies that directly benefit the rich by means of tax cuts, deregulation and subsidies, with the belief that these benefits will boost growth and therefore welfare for the entire economy. Originally popularised in the US economy in...

In this episode of Zero Down Podcast, Tarushi Narayan Ojha and Prisha Chhikara will be interviewing Satvik Chauhan, the Founder and CEO of The South Asian Policy Initiative (SAPI). SAPI is a non-profit organization dedicated to policy research and advocacy across South Asia, founded with the objective of bridging the gap between academic research and practical policymaking, and encouraging young m...

In this episode of Zero Down Podcast, Tanvi and Prisha explore the hidden costs of choice and give real life examples to show how understanding opportunity cost can help us make better decisions in a world of limited resources.

In this episode, join Priyadarshini and Suhaani as they dive deeper into the meaning of "The Tragedy of the Commons" and its role in our day to day life, exploring how a shared resource can quickly become a shared problem.