Police Harassment, Fentanyl, Aamir Khan

Welcome to 1947—your clear, unbiased source for news that helps you cut through the noise and form your own conclusions.

It’s March 31. Today: guidelines to reduce police harassment, India’s role in the fentanyl trade, and Aamir Khan’s YouTube channel. Plus, job openings at Google, Chiratae, Roblox, and more in Who’s Hiring.

Policy, Governance & Regulation

> $2.7B Incentive for Local Electronics Manufacturing
The Union Cabinet has approved a $2.7 billion incentive plan to boost domestic production of electronics components, offering subsidies of up to 50% of project costs. The six-year program aims to attract $7 billion in investments and create 91,600 jobs while reducing reliance on imports. Key focus areas include display and camera modules, printed circuit boards, lithium-ion batteries, and enclosures for mobile and electronics hardware. (Livemint)

> Guidelines to Prevent Police Harassment
The Madras High Court has issued guidelines to curb police harassment during criminal investigations. The ruling came in response to a plea by Rippling co-founder Prasanna Sankaranarayanan, who alleged police harassment at the behest of his estranged wife. The guidelines mandate written summons for inquiries, proper documentation in station diaries, and prohibit harassment of individuals called for investigation. (Bar & Bench)

> Delhi HC: No Mandatory Service Charges
The Delhi High Court ruled that restaurants and hotels cannot impose mandatory service charges, calling it an unfair trade practice. The court upheld the Central Consumer Protection Authority’s power to regulate such practices, emphasizing that tips or service charges must remain voluntary. (Bar & Bench)

Health & Environment

> US Report Flags India’s Growing Role in Illicit Fentanyl Trade
A new US intelligence report identifies India as an emerging player in the global illicit fentanyl trade, a designation that could strain ties with Washington. The 2025 Annual Threat Assessment cites India's increasing role in supplying precursor chemicals, traditionally dominated by China. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, is 100 times more potent than morphine and is the leading cause of overdose deaths in the US. The report comes as the Trump administration pressures countries to curb fentanyl exports. (CNN)

Business

> Pet Care Industry Doubles as Urban Families Redefine Priorities
India’s pet care market has surged from $1.6B in 2019 to $3.6B in 2024, driven by affluent and middle-class urban families. With delayed marriages and smaller households, pets are increasingly treated like children, fueling demand for premium products and services. The number of pet-owning households has also grown from 26M to 32M in the same period. (BBC, Redseer)

> BYD’s $10B Bet on India
Chinese EV giant BYD plans to invest $10 billion in its first Indian factory near Hyderabad after acquiring 500 acres of land. The plant will produce 600,000 EVs annually by 2032 and house a 20 GWh battery unit. Despite having a presence in India for years, BYD has no local manufacturing and imports EVs from China, facing high import duties that drive up prices. (Tech in Asia)

> Hong Kong Surpasses India in Share Sales
Hong Kong has overtaken India as the world’s second-largest market for share sales in 2025, driven by a surge in Chinese IPOs and stock placements. First-quarter proceeds in Hong Kong soared 11-fold year-over-year to $16 billion, while Indian deals nearly halved to $6.9 billion amid a stock market downturn. This marks the first time since Q2 2021 that Hong Kong has reclaimed the No. 2 spot, trailing only the US. (Bloomberg)

Tech, Media & Telecom

> NCLAT Slashes Google’s Antitrust Fine
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has cut Google’s antitrust penalty from ₹936.44 crore to ₹216.69 crore. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) had fined Google’s parent, Alphabet, for allegedly abusing its dominance by mandating developers to use its billing system on the Play Store. (Livemint)

> Digital Surpasses TV in India’s $29B Media Industry
India’s media and entertainment sector hit $29.4B in 2024, with digital media surpassing television for the first time, claiming 32% of total revenue. Advertising revenue reached a record $14.9B, with digital ad spends—driven by e-commerce, short video, and social media—accounting for 55% of the total. (Variety, EY)

> Krafton Acquires Nautilus Mobile
Krafton, the maker of PUBG and BGMI, has acquired a 75%+ stake in Indian gaming studio Nautilus Mobile for $14 million—its first acquisition in India. Best known for its Real Cricket franchise, Nautilus could help Krafton expand beyond BGMI into cricket and other sports games. (TechCrunch)

> AI Could Erode India’s Edge
India’s economic growth has long relied on its massive, young workforce, but a new Bernstein report warns that AI could unravel this advantage. The analysts call it a potential "doomsday scenario" for India’s $350 billion services export sector, which employs over 10 million workers. The traditional equation—large workforce, low wages, high productivity—now faces a serious challenge as AI automates key outsourcing functions. (India Dispatch)

Sports

> Viswanathan Anand and WestBridge Fuel India’s Chess Boom
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, backed by venture firm WestBridge, is shaping India’s next generation of chess prodigies. His academy, WACA, has trained top players, including junior world champion Pranav Venkatesh, world No. 8 Praggnanandhaa R., and Gukesh Dommaraju, the youngest to win the world championship. Anand’s success has sparked a nationwide chess boom, with more Indian parents enrolling their children in academies. (Financial Times)

Quick Hits

> The government has sent 55 tonnes of aid to Myanmar under Operation Brahma after a 7.7-magnitude quake hit Mandalay, killing over 1,000.

> India has been ranked the fifth most dangerous country for drivers, placing 49th out of 53 nations in a global road safety report.

> The Union Cabinet has approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees, raising it from 53% to 55%, aiming to offset inflation.

> A Chandigarh court acquitted former judge, Justice Nirmal Yadav, in a 2008 corruption case, which stemmed from a bag containing ₹15 lakh mistakenly delivered to another judge's residence.

> India has signed a $7.3 billion deal to purchase 156 combat helicopters for the air force and army as part of military modernization efforts.

> Fans have raised concerns over inflated taxes on IPL tickets, with some tickets reflecting a combined tax load nearing 70%.

> Wealthtech startup Smallcase raised $50 million in a Series D round led by Elev8 Venture Partners.

> Razorpay co-founders Shashank Kumar and Harshil Mathur, both 34, have become India’s youngest billionaires with a net worth of ₹8,643 crore each.

> India has launched WAVES Bazaar, a digital marketplace designed to connect media and entertainment professionals, fostering networking and collaboration across industry segments.

> Gurindervir Singh set a new national 100m record, clocking 10.20s at the Indian Grand Prix 1.

Worth a Look

Aamir Khan has launched a YouTube channel, offering a behind-the-scenes look at some of his most iconic movies and scenes. This provides a unique glimpse into the mind of one of India's finest actors.

Who’s Hiring

> Google is hiring a Strategy and Insights Manager.

> Chiratae Ventures is hiring Analysts for its three-year program.

> Roblox is hiring a Lead Counsel for India.

> Amazon is hiring a Senior Corporate Counsel, M&A.

> Ericsson is hiring for its Early Careers Program.

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