Context
According to the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute, India’s democracy score has declined to its lowest level since 1975.
The V-Dem data shows that India’s democracy index score has fallen significantly over the past decade. The report also highlights a decline in several institutional and freedom-related indicators, including judicial accountability, electoral autonomy, freedom of expression, academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
The findings have gained further significance amid concerns raised by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) regarding the exclusion of a large number of voters during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
What is the V-Dem Institute?
The Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute is based at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Unlike traditional democracy indices, V-Dem measures democracy through a large number of indicators relating to:
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- Elections
- Civil liberties
- Institutions
- Judiciary
- Media freedom
- Academic freedom
- Political participation
Key Findings on India
1. Lowest Democracy Score Since 1975
According to the data presented:
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- India’s democracy index score was around 0.73 in the 1990s
- It declined significantly after the early 2010s
- The score reached around 0.38 in 2025
- This is described as India’s lowest score since the Emergency period of 1975
India was also ranked 106th out of 179 countries on the electoral democracy index, according to the chart.
2. Decline in Electoral Democracy
The report indicates a deterioration in several election-related indicators, including:
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- Free and fair elections
- Election Management Body (EMB) autonomy
- Autonomy of institutions involved in elections
UPSC Angle
Free and fair elections are not limited to voting alone. They require:
Independent Institutions + Level Playing Field + Electoral Integrity + Universal Participation
3. Concerns Regarding Judiciary and Corruption
The V-Dem data indicates a decline in indicators relating to:
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- Compliance with the judiciary
- Judicial accountability
- Influence of corruption on judicial decision-making
Why is an Independent Judiciary Important?
The judiciary plays a crucial role in:
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- Protecting Fundamental Rights
- Checking executive power
- Ensuring constitutional supremacy
- Maintaining the rule of law
Thus:
Judicial Independence is a core pillar of Constitutional Democracy.
4. Decline in Freedom of Expression
The data also points towards deterioration in areas relating to:
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- Government censorship
- Media bias
- Harassment of journalists
- Freedom of academic and cultural expression
This raises an important democratic concern because a functioning democracy requires:
Free Media + Freedom of Expression + Access to Information
5. Decline in Academic and Institutional Autonomy
The report also highlights concerns regarding:
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- Freedom of academic exchange
- Freedom of research and teaching
- Institutional autonomy
Academic freedom is important because universities and research institutions contribute to:
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- Critical thinking
- Scientific innovation
- Independent research
- Democratic debate
Constitutional Perspective
The issue can be linked with several constitutional provisions.
Article 19
Provides important freedoms, including:
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- Freedom of speech and expression
- Freedom of peaceful assembly
- Freedom of association
Article 21
Protects life and personal liberty and has been interpreted broadly by the Supreme Court to include important aspects of human dignity and liberty.
Article 324
Provides the Election Commission with the superintendence, direction and control of elections.
Basic Structure Doctrine
The Supreme Court has recognised several democratic principles as part of India’s constitutional framework, including:
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- Rule of Law
- Judicial Review
- Free and Fair Elections
- Constitutional Supremacy
Key Issue: Democracy Beyond Elections
The most important lesson from this report is:
Democracy ≠ Elections Alone
A country may conduct regular elections, but a healthy democracy also requires:
Free Elections + Independent Institutions + Civil Liberties + Rule of Law + Accountability
Therefore, the quality of democracy depends not only on whether elections are held, but also on the strength of institutions and protection of individual freedoms.
Important Debate: International Democracy Indices
Reports such as the V-Dem Index often generate debate.
Supporters argue that:
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- They provide comparative data on democratic institutions.
- They identify long-term institutional trends.
- They promote accountability and democratic debate.
Critics argue that:
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- Democracy is difficult to measure through numerical scores.
- International indices may reflect methodological biases.
- Domestic political and social contexts may not be adequately captured.
Balanced UPSC View
Such indices should be treated as:
Important analytical tools, but not as the sole or final measure of a country’s democracy.
Way Forward
India can strengthen its democratic institutions through:
1. Greater institutional independence and accountability
2. Strengthening the integrity and transparency of electoral processes
3. Protecting freedom of expression and media freedom
4. Ensuring an independent and effective judicial system
5. Promoting academic freedom and institutional autonomy
6. Strengthening democratic participation and protection of civil liberties
Conclusion
The V-Dem findings underline an important lesson: democracy is not a static achievement but a continuous process. Regular elections must be accompanied by strong institutions, judicial independence, civil liberties, media freedom and public accountability. Strengthening these pillars is essential for ensuring the long-term health of any constitutional democracy.
UPSC Mains Perspective
GS Paper II
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- Democracy and Representation
- Constitutional Institutions
- Electoral Reforms
- Judiciary
- Fundamental Rights
GS Paper IV
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- Accountability
- Rule of Law
- Institutional Integrity
Possible UPSC Mains Question
“Democracy cannot be assessed merely by the conduct of periodic elections. The strength of democratic institutions, civil liberties and the rule of law are equally important.” Discuss.
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