Microplastics (MPs) are grave, emerging, persistent and toxic pollutants of the ecosystem (especially land and water). India is a major fish-consuming country, as Indians eat fish to fulfil their protein-rich diet at a reasonable price. Therefore, there is a very high chance of MPs' consumption in India via the contaminated trophic chain of fish. This PRISMAbased analysis examined various published studies for the years between 2015 and 2025 for the MPs pollution across the Indian aquatic ecosystem. In this study, a total of 412 records were initially calculated by various important databases, of which 36 studies met the inclusion criteria for further study. The results of this study reveal that the high level of MP contamination, including polypropylene and polyethylene, has been progressively increasing over the decades in Indian fishes and raises the issue of a healthy trophic chain. Therefore, this study highlights the urgent need for MP contamination in Indian fish and humans, along with the environment.

Rising sugar consumption in India, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and ultra-processed foods, has intensified the burden of oral and systemic diseases. Excessive intake of free sugars is strongly linked with dental caries, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, contributing to escalating health and economic costs. Despite global guidelines advocating for reduced free sugar intake, India lacks a comprehensive national strategy to address this shared risk factor for oral and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This article integrates international evidence and India-specific data to demonstrate the health and economic impact of sugar consumption and to evaluate the effectiveness of fiscal, regulatory, and educational interventions. Global experiences with excise taxes on SSBs, mandatory front-of-package (FOP) labelling, and restrictions on child-directed marketing have proven successful in reducing sugar intake and prompting industry reformulation. In India, however, policy efforts remain fragmented, with limited taxation and weak regulatory enforcement. We propose a multisectoral framework tailored to India's epidemiological and socioeconomic context. Recommended measures include a tiered excise tax on high-sugar foods and beverages, mandatory interpretive FOP warning labels, comprehensive bans on marketing to children, school-based sugar control measures, and integration of preventive oral health promotion into primary care. Strengthening surveillance of sugar intake, caries prevalence, and policy outcomes, alongside allocating tax revenues for health promotion and nutrition subsidies, is vital to ensure equity and sustainability. A comprehensive dietary sugar reduction policy would safeguard children's oral health, reduce future NCD burden, and generate long-term economic and societal benefits for India.

The study extends the Theory of Planned Behaviour to explore the determinants of organic food consumption in the emerging urban market in India. It employs partial least-square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to study the direct and indirect effect of behavioural factors on the Indian consumer intention to buy (ITB) and actual buying behavior (ABB). The study shows that Perceived Behavioural Control, Environmental Concern and Consumer awareness are significant factors. Moderation analysis reveals that age and employment status are pivotal factors. These findings highlight that awareness campaigns, transparent labeling, and improved accessibility enhance organic food consumption in India.

ABSTRACT Electric Vehicles (EVs) are promoted as a sustainable way of transport claiming to be environmentally friendly, with different governments in India launching several schemes to promote them. Recent studies reveal that EVs release more toxic emissions than their non-electric counterparts. Furthermore, the batteries result in the extraction of minerals from the Global South. In this article, we draw from Marxist criticisms of consumerism, sustainable development, and technological fetishism to interrogate how notions of sustainability are legitimised to support EV consumption in India. Dependency theory has been employed to study how policies to provide a sustainable means of life for a few are enacted at the expense of most. By examining India's EV policies within global dependency relations, the article demonstrates how EV promotion represents a form of commodity fetishism reproducing unequal development patterns.

ABSTRACT India's transformation to a future with more sustainable energy is essential for meeting rising energy demands and addressing environmental challenges. Prioritizing deployment of renewable energy can decrease fossil fuel dependence and enhance energy security. This research explores the effects of economic growth, information and communication technology (ICT) development, CO 2 emissions and agricultural land expansion on renewable energy consumption in India from 1990 to 2023 by using World Bank data. Dynamics ordinary least‐squares regression (DOLS), Fully modified Ordinary Least Squared (FMOLS) and Canonical Cointegration Regression (CCR) are the three advanced cointegration approaches used in this work. The findings demonstrate that ICT development significantly encourages the utilization of renewable energy, while economic expansion, agricultural land expansion and CO 2 emissions hinder integration. These findings suggest that India can accelerate its renewable energy transition by making investments in digital innovation and ICT infrastructure, while simultaneously adopting sustainable land‐use strategies and effective carbon management policies to reduce environmental pressures and balance economic growth with sustainability goals.

Background: Male tobacco and alcohol use in India represents a substantially greater burden than in females, with consumption rates 4–5 times higher for tobacco and 15–25 times higher for alcohol nationally. These behavioural patterns drive the majority of substance-related cancer burden among Indian men, with significant regional and occupational variations that differ markedly from female-specific risk patterns [1]. Methods: This study integrates nationally representative data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–2021), Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2 (2016–2017), and cancer incidence estimates from the National Cancer Registry Programme and GLOBOCAN 2022. Male-specific projections for 2025 were derived by applying age-adjusted incidence rates to population estimates. Population-attributable fractions were calculated using relative risks from international meta-analyses, with gender-comparative analysis to elucidate sex-specific differences in risk drivers [2]. Results: Approximately 712,176 new cancer cases are projected among Indian men in 2025, corresponding to a crude incidence rate of 95.6 per 100,000. Lung, oral cavity, and prostate cancers account for approximately 25% of male cancer cases [2]. Male tobacco uses prevalence ranges from 38% (NFHS-5) to 42.4% (GATS-2), dominated by smokeless forms at 27% but with smoking at 19.2%—substantially higher than female smoking rates [1,3]. Male alcohol consumption ranges from 17.5% to 29.2% nationally, with pronounced regional variation and highest prevalence in northeastern states where consumption exceeds 45% in several districts [4]. An estimated 50–60% of projected male cancers are attributable to tobacco and alcohol exposure, substantially exceeding the 35% attributable fraction observed among females [2,5]. The synergistic interaction between concurrent tobacco and alcohol use markedly amplifies cancer risk, accounting for approximately 62% of oral cancers among men [6]. Regional and occupational disparities reveal concentration of tobacco and alcohol use among manual labourers, agricultural workers, and in specific geographic zones of northeastern India, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana [5]. Conclusion: Despite declining national prevalence of tobacco smoking, male tobacco and alcohol remain overwhelmingly dominant contributors to cancer burden in India, driven by smokeless tobacco persistence, occupational and social normalization of substance use, and regional concentration. Approximately 356,000–427,000 male cancer cases in 2025 are attributable to modifiable tobacco and alcohol exposure [2]. Gender-responsive prevention strategies specifically addressing male occupational contexts, masculinity norms, and regional disparities are essential to mitigate the projected male cancer burden, which exceeds that of females by two- to three-fold for tobacco- and alcohol-related malignancies [1].

ABSTRACT Climate change poses serious threats to rural welfare, particularly in agrarian economies like India, yet limited evidence exists on its long-term, subnational impacts. This study addresses that gap by examining how climatic variability, rising temperature, and fluctuating precipitation affect household consumption using district-level panel data spanning four decades across rural India. Employing a fixed-effects regression model, the analysis reveals that a 1°C increase in temperature leads to a 4.6% decline in consumption expenditure, while precipitation has a modest positive effect. The adverse effects are more severe in historically hotter and structurally disadvantaged districts lacking adequate infrastructure, financial access, and energy connectivity. Conversely, better-developed regions exhibit greater resilience. These findings highlight how climate exposure interacts with socioeconomic and infrastructural deficits to shape vulnerability. The study underscores the need for targeted adaptation policies and structural investments to build climate resilience and support sustainable development goals related to poverty and inequality reduction.

This research investigates the motivating factors influencing consumers’ visits to tea outlets in India, with a focus on the role of gender in shaping preferences and behavior. Tea consumption in India is no longer limited to mere refreshment; it has evolved into a lifestyle and social experience, particularly among urban youth. The study employs a primary survey of 153 respondents, analyzing demographic variables such as gender, age, occupation, and income alongside behavioral factors including relaxation, taste preference, pricing, variety, ambience, health considerations, availability of snacks, brand reputation, promotional offers, and modern café culture. Reliability analysis confirmed a high internal consistency of the measurement items (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.954). Cross-tabulation and chi-square tests reveal significant gender-based differences in several motivational factors, including relaxation, taste preference, affordability, ambience, convenience, and variety of tea options. While some factors such as health benefits and preference for modern café culture did not show significant gender differences, others indicate nuanced patterns in consumer decision-making. The findings have both theoretical and practical implications, highlighting the importance of gender-sensitive marketing strategies, experiential outlet design, and targeted promotional activities to enhance consumer satisfaction and loyalty. This study contributes to the understanding of consumer behavior in the contemporary Indian tea industry, providing actionable insights for entrepreneurs, café managers, and marketers seeking to optimize their offerings in alignment with evolving preferences

Digital news consumption in India is growing rapidly, making the country one of the world’s largest online news markets. This research critically examines evolving patterns of digital news consumption in India, exploring how Indian audiences are adapting to the digital news environment, why these shifts are significant for the sustainability of journalism, and how India’s experience aligns with or diverges from global trends. The study employs a qualitative content analysis methodology, systematically interpreting secondary data derived from two recent, comprehensive survey-based reports on digital news: the ‘Monetizing Digital News: Digital News Publishing in India (2024)’ and the ‘Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025’. Thematic coding and cross-comparative analysis reveal core behavioural trends among Indian audiences. These include a significant shift toward mobile-first engagement, substantial platform fragmentation, widespread adoption of short-form text and video formats, and continued trust in legacy media institutions. The study employs an analytical framework to gain a deeper understanding of both structural and behavioural changes. It organises findings by factors such as platform dependency, engagement formats, trust and credibility, consumption diversification, and how the industry generates revenue. When compared with global data, the research shows that Indian audiences are similar to international trends in their use of shortform content and influencer-driven consumption. However, they trust traditional media houses more than digital news aggregators. Focusing on India’s rapidly evolving digital news landscape, this study fills crucial knowledge gaps by examining how the large demographic scale, swift technological adoption, and convergence between traditional and new media platforms impact the sector. It highlights how audience behaviour and industry challenges influence trends in trust, platform dependency, and financial sustainability. This study will be beneficial to academics, policymakers, and media practitioners seeking to address structural vulnerabilities, enhance journalistic credibility, and foster innovative revenue models amid ongoing media fragmentation and regulatory instability.

Rising consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in India is a significant public health challenge, contributing to obesity, type 2 diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). SSB-attributable deaths exceed 10,000 annually. The associated economic burden is projected to reach 2.47% of India's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2060. This study evaluates the impact of taxation as a policy instrument to reduce SSB consumption in India. Data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) 2022-23 household survey and Euromonitor retail sales data were used. SSB affordability was measured using the relative income price (RIP). A three-stage econometric model following Deaton's methodology was applied to estimate own price, cross-price and income elasticities using cross-sectional data. These estimates were used to simulate the effect of a uniform tax increase. Between 2015 and 2024, SSB affordability increased by 33%. The overall own-price elasticity was estimated at -0.8, with low-income households showing greater responsiveness (-0.97) than high-income groups (-0.77). Overall income elasticity was 0.48, rising to 0.59 for high-income households. Low-income households allocate a higher budget share (2.01%) to SSBs than high-income households (1.22%). Tax simulations suggest that a new 18.5% ad valorem excise tax could reduce consumption by ∼10% and increase annual tax revenue by 50%. A uniform 40% peak Goods and Services Tax (GST) had a smaller consumption impact. Findings support implementing excise taxes based on sugar content and a harmonized tax structure across SSBs. Evidence-informed fiscal policies are essential to mitigate NCD risks, as failure to act risks reinforcing harmful consumption patterns.

This study analyses the dynamics in agricultural economics in India during 2000-2023. Agricultural economics in India is a critical sector, supporting population and contributing around to the GDP through food security, the economic growth, and rising exports. Nevertheless, agriculture of India strongly depends on climate and soil setting, as these factors affect the cultivation of crops and growth cycle. Several datasets on agriculture economics of India were evaluated to reveal trends in food production and show effects climate and soil types on agriculture. The materials include three types of data: agricultural production from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), climate data from Climate Change Knowledge Portal, soil data from FAO/UNESCO World Digital Soil, and administrative data on India from governmental map repository. The methodology is based on the statistical analysis and GIS mapping. Practical approach includes statistical analysis and plotting of parameters to analyse dynamics in regional context. Statistical analysis was performed by R libraries, while cartographic visualization was based on the QGIS software. The core R packages include ‘ggplot2’, ‘tidyverse’, ‘dplyr’, ‘RColorBrewer’, and ‘viridisLite’. The results demonstrated dynamics in food production, export and consumption in India in recent two decades. The dominant role in export was identified as rice (basmati), spices, tea levels, fruits (mangoes) and cane sugar. The links between agriculture production, climate and soil setting shown that rising temperatures and extremes in precipitation negatively affect agricultural activities and food production in India by decreasing crop yields. This study demonstrated the use of R as effective method of large dataset processing for analysis of trends.

India is developing rapidly due to industrialization, urbanization and population growth. This has led to increased consumption of energy demand in urban areas. Cities are expanding with high rise buildings to cater to the need of population growth. These buildings consume high amounts of energy for operations like heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting. India is the third-largest energy consumer in the world because of growing earnings and better living conditions. (India energy outlook 2021). The country is going through challenges of growth with construction needs and energy demand while integration of energy efficiency as a promising solution, reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. This study will inquire the potential application of solar energy as a renewable source to mitigate urban energy consumption in India, focussing on high rise buildings. Energy consumption patterns, building design, climatic conditions, solar integration strategies and technology are the key parameters of the research area for identifying the opportunities and challenges in implementing solar solutions.

Abstract It is widely acknowledged that economic development across global economies has been accompanied by structural shifts in both food and non-food consumption patterns. This study examines such changes and identifies the key determinants of household characteristics that account for such food consumption. Using the unit-level records of the consumer expenditure surveys published by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), this study measures the effects of household characteristics such as household size, source of cooking energy, religion, social group, economic class, and size of land owned and cultivated on the food consumption of pearl millet. The findings of the study are presented in two parts. While the first part draws broad observations regarding the changes in food consumption of pearl millet and other cereals, the second part presents the household determinants that are likely to affect the food consumption of pearl millet. Contrary to conventional understanding, this study shows evidence of the influence of various socio-economic factors on pearl millet consumption in India. The findings highlight the urgent need for policy intervention to promote millet consumption for nutritional security, particularly among the affluent and urban communities, where the likelihood of consuming pearl millet is rapidly decreasing.

Abstract Using nationally representative household‐level panel data from India, we study status‐signalling through conspicuous consumption across castes, religions and income classes. Conditional on permanent income, scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) Hindu households spend more, while religious minorities spend less on visible consumption compared to upper‐caste Hindus. There is no significant difference between the visible expenditures of the upper‐caste and the otherwise backward caste (OBC) Hindus. Lower‐income households spend more on conspicuous consumption than their richer counterparts, regardless of caste and religion. Conspicuous spending is higher during festivals and periods of above‐average household income, but lower in areas with higher visible inequality. Among OBCs, SCs and Muslims, visible spending is higher among those receiving government transfers than those without public transfer income.

The rollout of 5G technology in India represents a transformative moment for the country’s media ecosystem, reshaping how content is produced, distributed, and consumed. This paper explores the human, cultural, and technological dimensions of 5G’s influence, emphasizing how faster speeds, ultra-low latency, and enhanced connectivity are changing creative workflows, enabling real-time collaboration, and democratizing high-quality content production. It highlights how 5G strengthens India’s mobile-first consumption patterns by offering uninterrupted 4K/8K streaming, interactive entertainment, and immersive live experiences. The study also examines the expansion of the creator economy, the rise of participatory media cultures, and the growing relevance of AR/VR in storytelling and education. While the benefits are significant, the paper also acknowledges emerging challenges, including digital inequality, privacy concerns, and the pressure for rapid content turnaround. Overall, the research argues that 5G is not merely a technological upgrade but a catalyst for more decentralized, inclusive, and dynamic media practices in India, reshaping how individuals connect, communicate, and create.

The fast-advancing digital scenario has facilitated the prolific use of digital platforms and applications on a gamut of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches and smart televisions. Against the backdrop of high screen consumption and the prevalent use of apps aided by artificial intelligence (AI), this research on two dynamic and compelling topics, children as an audience and digital engagement that prompts parental mediation, is crucial and challenging. This qualitative study was conducted in the Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts in Tamil Nadu, Southern India. It employed in-depth interviews to first examine parents’ attitudes toward the Internet and their digital consumption, and second, how this, in turn, influences their mediation styles toward primary school children aged 8 to 10 years. The typologies of parental attitudes, the nature of digital consumption and the mediation of children’s online engagement presented in the findings could serve as a starting point for new research concerning children and their active digital media utilization. Furthermore, the study outlines the interrelationship between parents’ attitudes towards digital practices and their mediation style, which can be explored in today’s context as children navigate through various screens for content.

Abstract The decline in indigenous food consumption in India—accelerated by the emphasis of the Green Revolution on high-yield crops—has led to loss of biodiversity, reduced dietary diver-sity, and erosion of cultural food heritage. Although agricultural research recognises the nutri-tional and ecological value of traditional crops, technological interventions to raise consumer awareness remain limited. Meanwhile, AI-based food recommendation systems feature mainly global or calorie-centric cuisines, overlooking culturally significant Indian dishes and their sea-sonal logic. This paper proposes HeritageBites, a socio-technical framework developed through sec-ondary analysis that integrates cultural research with AI-based personalisation to promote in-digenous food and local ingredients through a digital platform. The framework demonstrates how technology can preserve culinary heritage, improve nutritional and seasonal awareness, and strengthen rural livelihoods by connecting traditional recipes with digital engagement. The findings of the study reveal that indigenous diets align with modern nutritional science and that digital promotion can promote cultural revival and sustainable market opportunities. Keywords: Indigenous food, Traditional Indian cuisine, Seasonal diets, AI-based recommen-dation system, Cultural preservation, Nutritional diversity, Sustainable food systems

Soil Endowments and Intrahousehold Distribution of Consumption in India: A Structural Approach

Abstract Groundwater is a critical support system for agriculture, domestic and industrial consumption in India, but escalating depletion and climatic stresses underscore the need for scientifically robust groundwater potential zone (GWPZ) mapping. In response to the aggravating water security issues in India, this study presents a critical and systematic-methodical review of research articles focused on GWPZ mapping. The primary goal of this research is to integrate input parameters, modeling techniques and validation methods to produce an evidence-based framework for selecting appropriate and effective GWPZ mapping strategies. Six prominent thematic categories – topography, geology, hydrology, climate, land cover and aquifer properties – seem to be inevitably predominant in different physiographic zones. Methodological tendencies suggest a shift from conventional Multi-Criteria Decision-Making models, that is, Analytical Hierarchy Process and Frequency Ratio, toward sophisticated machine learning techniques like Random Forests, Support Vector Machine and Extreme Gradient Boosting. Validation practices are dominated by a high incidence of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and area under the curve metrics, with occasional addition of precision, recall, F1-score and root mean square error. Across the studies reviewed, field-derived data, well yield, groundwater depth, aquifer thickness and resistivity surveys remain critical for ground-truthing model results. Our view is that even though Indian GWPZ research has taken significant methodological strides, regional data heterogeneity, aquifer complexity and climatic variability issues continue to pose a key challenge in GWPZ mapping. We suggest future strategies involving high-resolution datasets, three-dimensional subsurface modeling, climate-resilient algorithms and more diversified validation frameworks. Through this critical synthesis, the article presents an integrated guide to support planners select cost-effective mapping techniques, inform policymakers on strategic investments and data collection priorities and direct researchers toward the most critical scientific gaps in India’s increasingly dynamic hydro-environmental context.

Fish are important because they give both people and animals vital nutrients that improve growth and health. Unfortunately, overcrowding and environmental problems, such as poor water quality and other stressors, can cause disease outbreaks in farmed fish. Furthermore, multidrug resistance has grown to be a significant global public concern. Consequently, the use of immunostimulants rather than chemotherapeutic methods to manage disease in aquaculture is growing in significance. In such a scenario, screening for the impact of immunostimulants on the health of both healthy and pathogen-infected fish requires biomolecular evaluation. Catla Catla is a successfully cultivated freshwater species for consumption in India, owing to its significant nutritional and health benefits; however, there is a little information on the effect of immunostimulants on C. Catla. Therefore, in order to evaluate the impact of various immunostimulants on the biomolecular composition of both healthy and Aeromonas-infected C. Catla, the study sought to quantify biomolecules from muscle tissues. According to the results of this investigation, oral administration of a variety of immunostimulants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, chitin, chitosan, and levamisole, significantly raised the levels of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, free amino acids, reduced glutathione, and carotenoids in both healthy and Aeromonas-infected fish, thereby increasing tolerance against pathogenic infection. Furthermore, levamisole, vitamin C, and vitamin E demonstrated the highest efficacy among the immunostimulants that were examined. The results of this investigation showed that adding immunostimulants can greatly improve C. Catla growth, immunity, and survival rates.