India's Income Inequality Reaches Historic Highs, Surpassing British Colonial Era

• Income inequality in India is now worse than under British colonial rule, with the top 1% holding 22.6% of national income compared to 20-21% under the British Raj

• India's top 1% holds a staggering 40.1% of the country's total wealth, fueled by a booming billionaire class now totaling 271 people

• Inequality has risen sharply since 2014 when the current ruling party came to power, with an authoritarian government centralized decision-making and close ties between big business and government

• Average Indians could still benefit from globalization if the government invests more in health, education and nutrition from taxing the ultra-wealthy

• India was once a model for institutional integrity, but declining data standards on inequality mean it must be closely tracked and challenged