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What are the challenges faced by Indian democracy?
Show Answer
- Illiteracy, misinformation and inequality.
- Poverty, regionalism, gender inequality and social discrimination block equal participation.
- Gaps in implementing laws reduce public trust.
- The Emergency of 1975-77 is the historical warning.
Mind Map
Democracy
Self-governance by the people - not limited to elections alone
1
Roots
Sabha, Samiti, Vidhata; Bauddha Samghas
2
Constitution
Adopted 1949, in force 1950; Article 368
3
Principles
Popular sovereignty, rule of law, rights
4
Organs
Legislature, Executive, Judiciary
5
Types
Direct, Representative; Parliamentary, Presidential
6
In practice
96.8 crore voters; three-tier system; Gram Sabha
7
Challenges
Illiteracy, misinformation, inequality; the Emergency
8
You
Be informed, media literate, and take part
Section-wise recap
| Section | One-line answer |
|---|---|
| Introduction | India is a democracy because power lies with its people, who elect the government |
| Tracing Democratic Traditions | Democratic ideas in India are ancient, were disrupted, and were revived by the freedom struggle |
| Principles of Democracy | Seven non-negotiable principles hold a democracy up |
| Types of Democracy | Democracy has no single model - direct, representative, parliamentary, presidential |
| Democracy in Practice | India's democracy is huge, diverse, and works at the grassroots too |
| Women and Democracy | Equal votes did not give equal representation, so seats were reserved |
| How Citizens Shape Democracy | Citizens' concerns became the RTI Act; civil society bridges people and the State |
| Challenges | Misinformation, inequality and indifference are the main threats |
| The Emergency | Rights can be suspended - and can be won back at the ballot |
| Democracy and You | A student's share of democracy is being informed, responsible and involved |
Consolidated timeline
| When | Event |
|---|---|
| Vedic period | Sabha, Samiti, Vidhata; ganas and samghas |
| Time of Gautama Buddha | Bauddha Samghas - debate, elected leader, voting |
| 19th century | British colonised most of the subcontinent; participation limited |
| 1920 | Women got full voting rights in the USA |
| 1928 | Women got full voting rights in Britain |
| 1946 | Constituent Assembly formed |
| 1947 | India became independent |
| 26 Nov 1949 | Constitution adopted |
| 26 Jan 1950 | Constitution came into force; Universal Adult Franchise |
| 1951 | Representation of the People Act |
| June 1975 to 1977 | The Emergency |
| 1977 | Emergency lifted; elections held; government defeated |
| 1996 | PESA Act |
| 2005 | RTI Act came into force |
| 2009 | Right to Education added (Article 21A) |
| 2019 | Jethipura Gram Panchayat awarded NDRGGSP |
| 2023 | 17 States and 1 UT at 50% reservation in Urban Local Bodies |
| 2024 | Over 96.8 crore registered voters |
