For much of the past three decades, climate change occupied a distinct corner of public policy. It was largely discussed through the lens of environmental conservation, carbon emissions and international climate negotiations. Governments treated it as an ecological challenge while economists, urban planners and public health experts often addressed it separately within their respective domains.

That distinction is no longer sustainable. Climate change has evolved into a systemic risk that increasingly shapes economic growth, public health, national security and social stability. Treating it as a specialised environmental issue understates both its scale and its consequences. The evidence is visible across India. Record-breaking heatwaves, erratic monsoons, flash floods, prolonged droughts and coastal erosion are no longer isolated events but recurring features of an altered climate. Cities from Delhi to Guwahati have experienced extreme rainfall that overwhelms drainage systems, disrupts transport and damages infrastructure.

Himalayan States confront landslides and glacial risks with increasing frequency, while coastal communities face stronger cyclones and rising sea levels. These events are not simply environmental disasters; they impose heavy economic costs and expose the vulnerability of existing development models. Agric ulture illustrates this transformation most clearly. Despite structural changes in the economy, millions of Indians continue to depend directly or indirectly on farming for their livelihoods. Unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures and changing pest patterns reduce crop productivity and increase uncertainty for farmers. The consequences extend far beyond rural incomes.

Food inflation, supply chain disruptions and fiscal pressures frequently follow climatic shocks, affecting consumers and policymakers alike. Climate resilience has therefore become integral to food security and macroeconomic stability. Urban India faces an equally complex challenge. Rapid urbanisation has expanded economic opportunities but has also increased exposure to climate-related risks. Heatwaves raise electricity demand as cooling requirements grow, placing additional pressure on power systems. Flooding damages........

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