Over 85% of billionaires in India belong to upper castes
New Delhi: More than 85 percent of India's billionaire wealth is concentrated among upper caste communities, showcasing the pervasive influence of caste on economic status. According to additional data shared with Business Standard by researchers from the World Inequality Lab, upper castes held 88.4 percent of billionaire wealth in 2022, compared to 2.6 percent held by people from scheduled castes (SCs).
Other backward classes (OBCs) accounted for 9 percent of billionaire wealth, while there were no billionaires from scheduled tribes (STs). The data, derived from the study "Towards Tax Justice and Wealth Redistribution in India: Proposals Based On Latest Inequality Estimates”, involved manual coding and the 'Outkast' algorithm to determine the caste composition of billionaires.
The study, authored by Nitin Kumar Bharti (New York University), Lucas Chancel (Harvard Kennedy School), Thomas Piketty, and Anmol Somanchi (Paris School of Economics), indicates a decline in wealth among OBC billionaires and an increase for those from upper castes. This shift is attributed to the fact that most new billionaires in recent years have been from upper castes, according to Somanchi.
Caste continues to shape access to education, health, social networks, and credit, which are crucial for entrepreneurship and wealth generation. Historically, Dalits were prohibited from owning land in many regions, limiting their economic progress.
The disparity is not limited to billionaires. The “State of Working India, 2023” a report by Azim Premji University shows that SCs and STs are underrepresented as enterprise owners relative to their workforce participation. While SCs constitute 19.3 percent of the workforce, only 11.4 percent own enterprises. For STs, who make up 10.1 percent of the workforce, only 5.4 percent own enterprises.
Wealth inequality extends beyond the billionaire list. According to the National Family Health Survey, only 12.3 percent of SCs and 5.4 percent of STs are in the highest wealth quintile. Conversely, more than 25 percent of SCs and 46.3 percent of STs fall into the lowest wealth category. The OBC community has 16.3 percent of its population in the lowest wealth category and 19.2 percent in the highest wealth category.
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Mangaluru airport issues advisory to passengers, heightens security measures
Mangaluru: In response to recent cross-border attacks by Pakistan and rising tensions along the international boundary, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has directed airports across India to enhance security protocols. As part of this nationwide alert, Mangaluru International Airport has intensified surveillance, and introduced secondary ladder point checks (LPSC).
Explaining about the new protocol, Jaideep Shenoy, Public Relations Officer at Mangaluru International Airport, said that the secondary ladder point security check involves a second round of frisking. Passengers will first undergo standard checks by the CISF at the security checkpoint. Before boarding the aircraft, either via a boarding bridge or a bus, they will be subjected to an additional frisking by airline staff at the gate. Shenoy emphasized that the LPSC is a standard security measure implemented at all airports.
He also urged travelers to stay updated by checking the airport’s official social media channels for accurate and timely information.
In light of circulating reports regarding restrictions on visitor entry, Shenoy clarified that the entry of visitors into the terminal has always been restricted. Visitors may accompany passengers up to the departure gates or receive them at the arrival gates, as per existing rules.
In an advisory issued on Friday, Mangaluru International Airport urged passengers to arrive well in advance of their scheduled departures to accommodate extended security checks, and to cooperate with airport and security personnel.
The airport authorities also urged people not to share any unverified information.
#MangaluruAirport is fully operational, with your safety and comfort as our top priority. Stay informed and plan ahead to ensure a smooth journey.
— Mangaluru Airport (@mlrairport) May 9, 2025
Here’s everything you need to know before you fly, from security guidelines to handy dos and don’ts.
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