INDIAN DEMOCRACY: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

Abstract [English]

India is the world's largest democracy, where regular elections, an independent judiciary, and a multi-party system have sustained democratic values ​​for over seventy years. Nevertheless, in the second decade of the 21st century, Indian democracy is confronting serious challenges. International reports have categorized India as an "Electoral Autocracy" and placed it in the "Partly Free" category.
This paper presents a fundamental analysis of the historical achievements of Indian democracy, its contemporary challenges (the influence of money and mafia power in the electoral process, socio-religious polarization, the erosion of institutional autonomy, a decline in media freedom, and tensions within the federal structure), as well as potential solutions to address them. The core premise of this research is that democracy is not merely an electoral process, but a continuous practice of constitutional morality, social justice, and civic participation. As a means of resolution, emphasis is placed on electoral reforms, civic education, digital transparency, maintaining a balance between the judiciary and the executive, and the restoration of Gandhian and Ambedkarite values. The conclusion posits that if these challenges are not addressed in a timely manner, the world's largest democracy risks sliding further from being an "Electoral Democracy" toward becoming an "Electoral Autocracy." This research paper offers practical guidelines for policymakers, scholars, and civil society.