India's wealth inequality has surpassed even the colonial era, with the top 1% now controlling 40.1% of national wealth, compared to less than 15% at independence. Income share for this group rose to 22.6% in 2022-23. The report by World Inequality Lab indicates a post-independence decline in inequality until the 1980s, followed by a sharp rise since the early 2000s. Dubbed the 'Billionaire Raj', India's inequality now exceeds that of the British Raj. Policy intervention is crucial to curb this trend.

In a major success for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) named 'Pushpak' executed a flawless landing at Challakere's Aeronautical Test Range. The autonomous landing, conducted at 7:10 am on Friday, marked the culmination of the RLV-LEX-02 experiment. Pushpak, lifted by an Indian Airforce Chinook helicopter, demonstrated precise maneuvers despite off-nominal initial conditions, underscoring its advanced capabilities. This achievement follows the RLV-LEX-01 mission and showcases Pushpak's ability to autonomously correct both cross-range and downrange dispersions before landing seamlessly on the runway.

Animal rights activists Saurabh and Gaurav Gupta have petitioned the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking protection from YouTuber Elvish Yadav and his associates. They are receiving threats after filing an FIR against Yadav for allegedly using snake venom as drugs in rave parties. The court has issued notice to Haryana in response. The petitioners claim to be receiving threatening calls demanding the withdrawal of their complaint. This development highlights the need for legal intervention to safeguard individuals who speak out against alleged wrongdoing, emphasizing the importance of protecting whistleblowers in the face of potential intimidation.

Daughter and granddaughter of jailed Kashmir separatist leaders, Ruwa Shah and Sama Shabir, publicly distance themselves from separatist politics and affirm loyalty to India. Ruwa Shah, granddaughter of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, disavows Hurriyat Conference faction founded by her late grandfather. Sama Shabir, daughter of Shabir Ahmad Shah, emphasizes loyalty to India and disassociation from her father's banned separatist organization. Both reject any affiliation with anti-India groups and warn of legal action against false associations. Shabir Ahmad Shah is imprisoned for alleged terror financing, while Sama was previously summoned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the case.

Vinod Kumar, father of Badaun double murder victims, urges Uttar Pradesh Police not to encounter second suspect, Javed. He seeks interrogation to uncover possible conspiracy behind his children's killings. Two boys died, while their brother survived hospitalization. Vinod appeals to PM Modi and CM Yogi for investigation into the tragedy. Sajid, one accused, died in police encounter. Javed arrested after surrender. FIR alleges attackers sought money, then ambushed children with a knife. Victim's family demands justice, suspecting foul play in the brutal attack on their sons.

India's fertility rate has plummeted from nearly 6.2 in 1950 to under 2 in 2021, with projections indicating a further drop to 1.29 by 2050, as per a Lancet study. Globally, fertility rates mirrored this trend, declining from over 4.8 children per woman in 1950 to 2.2 in 2021, with estimates suggesting a decrease to 1.8 by 2050. The study highlights challenges faced by low-income countries with persistently high fertility rates, emphasizing the need for improved access to education and contraceptives. Experts stress the importance of proactive policy measures to address implications such as an ageing population and labour shortages.

Following criticism from the Supreme Court, the State Bank of India (SBI) has furnished all details on electoral bonds to the Election Commission. This includes unique serial numbers crucial for matching donors with political parties. SBI's affidavit of compliance assures full disclosure, except for complete account numbers and KYC details. The Election Commission is poised to upload the data on its website imminently. This move comes amidst heightened scrutiny over transparency in political funding ahead of elections.          

The Supreme Court has halted the Centre's Fact Check Unit, citing concerns over freedom of expression. Led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, the bench set aside the Bombay High Court's approval of the government's move, without commenting on the case's merits. Comedian Kunal Kamra and the Editors Guild of India had contested the unit's establishment, fearing censorship and restrictions on social media expression. The unit, part of amendments to IT rules, aimed to address fake news by flagging posts to intermediaries. The Centre argued for public interest, but concerns lingered over potential stifling of political satire and criticism.          

A new study led by economist Thomas Piketty finds India's wealthiest 1% now hold a staggering 22.6% of the country's income and 40.1% of its wealth, the highest levels ever recorded. The report highlights a widening wealth gap and calls for urgent government action, including tax reforms and increased social spending. While the Congress party criticizes Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, the BJP defends its poverty alleviation efforts. The study, spanning back to 1922 for income and 1961 for wealth, sheds light on India's soaring inequality, surpassing even the United States, Brazil, and South Africa in income concentration.

A 30-year-old software engineer residing in AECS Layout near Brookefield encountered a distressing situation on March 17, when a delivery person allegedly sexually harassed her at her residence. The incident unfolded after she ordered food through a popular online platform. Following the delivery, the individual made repeated requests for water and access to her restroom. Subsequently, he advanced towards her in the kitchen, leading to a confrontation where the victim defended herself. Despite reporting the incident to both the authorities and the online aggregator, swift action was reportedly lacking. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the suspect.