Free and fair elections
Can people choose their leaders through broad voting rights, honest elections, free political groups, and open public debate?
37.7
2025 country profile
How democratic is
India?
Democracys.org estimate calculated from V-Dem v16. This score describes institutions and lived political conditions in 2025—not the character of a country or its people.
DEMOCRACYS SCORE
49.1out of 100Major democratic constraints2025 rank107 of 179
10-year change−11.5
25-year change−23.5
Likely score area41.5–56.6
Weakest areaElections
SCORE HISTORY
India, 1975–2025
The shaded area is a plain-language uncertainty guide. Treat small score differences cautiously.
About uncertaintyBENEATH THE SCORE
Five dimensions of democracy
The headline score cannot show where a political system is strong or constrained. These five tests can. Each has equal weight in the beta standard.
Rights and checks on power
Are basic freedoms protected, laws applied fairly, courts independent, and leaders prevented from abusing power?
57.5
Public participation
Can people shape public life through civic groups, direct voting, and meaningful local and regional government?
54.2
Public reasoning
Do leaders explain decisions, consult the public, answer opposing arguments, and consider the common good?
57.4
Political equality
Do different social groups have equal rights, access, resources, and a real chance to influence political power?
40.8
HOW TO READ THIS PROFILE
Change is measured.
Cause is not assumed.
India’s score changed −11.5 points from 2015 to 2025. That is a descriptive comparison of V-Dem-derived estimates, not proof of why the change occurred or whether it is statistically significant.
Country-specific causal annotations will only appear when supported by named, human-reviewed sources.
ANNUAL DATA
India score table
| Year | Score | Likely score area | Elections | Rights & checks | Participation | Reasoning | Equality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 49.1 | 41.5–56.6 | 37.7 | 57.5 | 54.2 | 57.4 | 40.8 |
| 2024 | 51.0 | 43.5–58.6 | 38.1 | 62.9 | 54.0 | 62.0 | 40.6 |
| 2023 | 50.5 | 43.3–57.9 | 37.4 | 62.4 | 51.5 | 60.8 | 42.8 |
| 2022 | 53.1 | 46.3–60.7 | 38.4 | 65.7 | 55.5 | 62.9 | 45.7 |
| 2021 | 53.5 | 46.7–61.3 | 39.8 | 68.4 | 53.8 | 59.7 | 48.1 |
| 2020 | 51.6 | 44.1–59.3 | 39.0 | 65.0 | 53.9 | 56.4 | 45.6 |
| 2019 | 52.7 | 45.1–60.2 | 43.0 | 67.5 | 53.6 | 60.3 | 41.3 |
| 2018 | 57.0 | 49.7–64.3 | 48.2 | 70.2 | 53.6 | 66.3 | 48.6 |
| 2017 | 57.9 | 50.4–64.8 | 48.8 | 71.2 | 53.3 | 67.1 | 50.7 |
| 2016 | 60.1 | 53.3–67.7 | 52.4 | 73.5 | 53.5 | 71.0 | 51.8 |
| 2015 | 60.6 | 53.8–67.9 | 54.3 | 73.7 | 53.6 | 72.2 | 51.1 |
| 2014 | 65.7 | 59.8–72.7 | 61.7 | 77.3 | 55.8 | 82.6 | 53.8 |
| 2013 | 69.5 | 64.4–76.0 | 65.0 | 79.1 | 60.2 | 89.7 | 56.2 |
| 2012 | 70.1 | 65.0–75.8 | 65.9 | 78.3 | 60.8 | 92.9 | 55.8 |
| 2011 | 70.7 | 65.7–76.6 | 67.1 | 78.2 | 60.1 | 93.4 | 57.4 |
| 2010 | 70.9 | 65.8–76.7 | 67.1 | 78.3 | 60.8 | 93.4 | 57.6 |
| 2009 | 71.2 | 66.2–76.8 | 68.3 | 77.6 | 60.8 | 93.7 | 58.2 |
| 2008 | 72.0 | 67.0–77.5 | 72.1 | 77.6 | 60.8 | 93.4 | 58.7 |
| 2007 | 72.0 | 67.0–77.5 | 72.1 | 77.6 | 60.8 | 93.4 | 58.7 |
| 2006 | 71.9 | 66.9–77.5 | 72.1 | 77.6 | 60.6 | 93.1 | 58.7 |
| 2005 | 72.1 | 67.2–77.8 | 72.3 | 77.6 | 60.6 | 93.2 | 59.2 |
| 2004 | 72.1 | 67.3–78.2 | 73.1 | 77.5 | 59.7 | 93.2 | 59.6 |
| 2003 | 72.5 | 67.7–78.4 | 73.6 | 77.5 | 61.3 | 93.2 | 59.6 |
| 2002 | 72.3 | 67.4–78.2 | 73.9 | 77.9 | 59.7 | 93.1 | 59.6 |
| 2001 | 72.3 | 67.3–78.3 | 73.5 | 78.0 | 59.7 | 93.1 | 59.6 |
| 2000 | 72.6 | 68.0–78.8 | 73.5 | 78.0 | 59.7 | 93.1 | 61.3 |
| 1999 | 72.7 | 67.7–78.5 | 73.7 | 78.0 | 59.7 | 93.1 | 61.3 |
| 1998 | 72.8 | 68.0–78.8 | 74.6 | 77.8 | 59.7 | 93.1 | 61.3 |
| 1997 | 72.7 | 68.0–78.7 | 74.2 | 77.8 | 59.7 | 93.1 | 61.3 |
| 1996 | 72.7 | 68.0–78.7 | 74.1 | 77.9 | 59.7 | 93.1 | 61.3 |
| 1995 | 72.8 | 67.6–78.4 | 73.8 | 76.9 | 59.6 | 93.1 | 62.9 |
| 1994 | 72.8 | 67.8–78.7 | 73.8 | 76.9 | 59.7 | 93.1 | 62.8 |
| 1993 | 72.6 | 67.4–78.4 | 73.1 | 76.9 | 59.5 | 93.1 | 62.8 |
| 1992 | 72.2 | 67.3–78.1 | 72.6 | 76.6 | 59.5 | 93.1 | 61.5 |
| 1991 | 71.9 | 66.9–77.8 | 71.3 | 76.6 | 59.6 | 93.1 | 61.3 |
| 1990 | 70.9 | 65.9–77.3 | 69.3 | 76.0 | 58.4 | 92.0 | 61.3 |
| 1989 | 69.9 | 64.8–76.7 | 66.5 | 76.2 | 56.5 | 92.0 | 60.9 |
| 1988 | 69.8 | 64.5–76.6 | 66.4 | 76.1 | 56.5 | 92.0 | 60.6 |
| 1987 | 69.9 | 64.5–76.5 | 66.8 | 76.1 | 56.5 | 92.0 | 60.6 |
| 1986 | 69.9 | 64.5–76.5 | 66.8 | 76.1 | 56.5 | 92.0 | 60.6 |
| 1985 | 69.5 | 64.0–76.0 | 65.8 | 76.3 | 56.5 | 92.0 | 59.8 |
| 1984 | 68.9 | 63.1–75.1 | 64.2 | 75.2 | 55.9 | 92.0 | 60.0 |
| 1983 | 68.9 | 63.6–75.4 | 64.1 | 75.5 | 55.9 | 92.0 | 60.0 |
| 1982 | 68.9 | 63.5–75.4 | 64.1 | 75.5 | 55.9 | 92.0 | 60.0 |
| 1981 | 68.9 | 63.2–75.3 | 64.3 | 75.5 | 55.4 | 92.0 | 60.0 |
| 1980 | 68.9 | 63.6–75.8 | 64.6 | 75.9 | 54.9 | 92.0 | 60.0 |
| 1979 | 69.1 | 63.8–75.7 | 65.6 | 76.9 | 54.9 | 92.0 | 59.3 |
| 1978 | 69.1 | 63.9–75.8 | 65.2 | 76.9 | 54.9 | 92.0 | 59.3 |
| 1977 | 62.1 | 55.7–68.8 | 49.4 | 63.5 | 53.3 | 90.1 | 57.7 |
| 1976 | 51.8 | 44.7–59.6 | 38.1 | 59.1 | 43.9 | 61.5 | 58.9 |
| 1975 | 53.9 | 47.1–61.1 | 39.0 | 63.3 | 43.2 | 68.4 | 58.9 |
| 1974 | 63.2 | 57.3–70.7 | 57.0 | 71.5 | 46.0 | 85.8 | 59.2 |
| 1973 | 64.1 | 57.8–71.3 | 61.2 | 71.5 | 47.6 | 85.8 | 57.4 |
| 1972 | 64.2 | 57.8–71.3 | 61.2 | 71.5 | 48.0 | 85.8 | 57.4 |
| 1971 | 64.4 | 58.1–71.6 | 61.8 | 71.5 | 49.1 | 85.8 | 56.7 |
| 1970 | 65.3 | 59.2–72.6 | 66.4 | 71.5 | 49.1 | 85.8 | 56.7 |
| 1969 | 65.5 | 59.0–72.5 | 66.5 | 73.7 | 49.5 | 85.8 | 55.2 |
| 1968 | 65.5 | 59.0–72.5 | 66.5 | 73.7 | 49.5 | 85.8 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 64.7 | 58.3–72.3 | 66.0 | 73.7 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1966 | 64.4 | 58.0–72.0 | 64.5 | 73.7 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1965 | 64.4 | 58.0–72.0 | 64.4 | 73.7 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1964 | 64.7 | 58.5–72.3 | 65.0 | 74.7 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1963 | 64.8 | 58.5–72.4 | 65.3 | 74.7 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1962 | 64.8 | 58.6–72.4 | 65.5 | 74.7 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1961 | 65.1 | 58.9–72.6 | 67.0 | 74.7 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1960 | 65.1 | 58.9–72.6 | 67.0 | 74.7 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1959 | 65.1 | 58.9–72.6 | 67.0 | 74.7 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1958 | 65.1 | 58.9–72.6 | 67.0 | 74.7 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1957 | 65.1 | 58.8–72.5 | 66.8 | 74.7 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1956 | 64.9 | 58.6–72.6 | 66.1 | 74.7 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1955 | 65.0 | 58.8–72.8 | 66.1 | 74.9 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 55.0 |
| 1954 | 64.8 | 58.7–72.8 | 66.1 | 74.9 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 54.3 |
| 1953 | 64.8 | 58.7–72.8 | 66.1 | 74.9 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 54.3 |
| 1952 | 63.5 | 57.6–71.3 | 59.6 | 74.9 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 54.3 |
| 1951 | 56.7 | 51.3–63.1 | 31.2 | 74.1 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 54.3 |
| 1950 | 55.4 | 50.2–61.7 | 27.2 | 73.4 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 54.0 |
| 1949 | 48.0 | 43.3–54.0 | 18.7 | 47.8 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 54.0 |
| 1948 | 48.0 | 43.5–54.2 | 18.5 | 47.8 | 49.5 | 82.2 | 54.5 |
| 1947 | 34.3 | 27.2–41.1 | 22.6 | 39.0 | 40.2 | 42.2 | 29.6 |
| 1946 | 29.9 | 21.8–36.6 | 21.0 | 49.6 | 27.7 | 26.2 | 28.3 |
| 1945 | 29.6 | 21.6–36.2 | 19.7 | 49.6 | 27.7 | 26.2 | 28.3 |
| 1944 | 29.1 | 21.2–35.8 | 17.9 | 49.6 | 27.7 | 26.2 | 28.3 |
| 1943 | 29.1 | 21.2–35.8 | 17.9 | 49.6 | 27.7 | 26.2 | 28.3 |
| 1942 | 29.1 | 21.2–35.8 | 17.9 | 49.6 | 27.7 | 26.2 | 28.3 |
| 1941 | 29.1 | 21.2–35.8 | 17.9 | 49.6 | 27.7 | 26.2 | 28.3 |
| 1940 | 29.1 | 21.2–35.8 | 17.9 | 49.6 | 27.7 | 26.2 | 28.3 |
| 1939 | 29.2 | 21.3–35.8 | 18.0 | 49.6 | 27.7 | 26.2 | 28.3 |
| 1938 | 29.2 | 21.3–35.8 | 18.0 | 49.6 | 27.7 | 26.2 | 28.3 |
| 1937 | 28.0 | 20.2–34.4 | 18.0 | 49.6 | 27.7 | 20.7 | 28.3 |
| 1936 | 27.9 | 20.1–34.2 | 17.6 | 49.6 | 27.7 | 20.7 | 28.3 |
| 1935 | 26.8 | 18.6–32.8 | 17.7 | 49.6 | 27.7 | 16.3 | 28.0 |
| 1934 | 21.3 | 14.3–26.8 | 14.1 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 27.9 |
| 1933 | 21.3 | 14.2–26.7 | 13.9 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 27.9 |
| 1932 | 20.9 | 14.0–26.4 | 13.9 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1931 | 20.9 | 14.0–26.4 | 13.9 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1930 | 20.9 | 14.0–26.3 | 13.7 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1929 | 20.9 | 14.1–26.4 | 13.8 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1928 | 20.9 | 14.1–26.4 | 13.8 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1927 | 20.9 | 14.1–26.4 | 13.8 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1926 | 21.0 | 14.2–26.6 | 14.3 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1925 | 21.1 | 14.2–26.7 | 14.4 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1924 | 21.1 | 14.2–26.7 | 14.4 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1923 | 21.0 | 14.1–26.5 | 14.0 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1922 | 20.9 | 14.1–26.5 | 13.9 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1921 | 20.9 | 14.1–26.5 | 13.9 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1920 | 19.5 | 13.0–24.7 | 8.7 | 35.3 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 26.0 |
| 1919 | 18.7 | 11.8–23.5 | 7.6 | 35.3 | 14.7 | 16.9 | 25.0 |
| 1918 | 18.7 | 11.8–23.5 | 7.6 | 35.3 | 14.7 | 16.9 | 25.0 |
| 1917 | 18.7 | 11.8–23.5 | 7.6 | 35.3 | 14.7 | 16.9 | 25.0 |
| 1916 | 18.7 | 11.8–23.5 | 7.6 | 35.3 | 14.7 | 16.9 | 25.0 |
| 1915 | 18.7 | 11.8–23.5 | 7.6 | 35.3 | 14.7 | 16.9 | 25.0 |
| 1914 | 18.7 | 11.8–23.5 | 7.6 | 35.3 | 14.7 | 16.9 | 25.0 |
| 1913 | 18.7 | 11.8–23.5 | 7.6 | 35.3 | 14.7 | 16.9 | 25.0 |
| 1912 | 18.7 | 11.8–23.5 | 7.6 | 35.3 | 14.7 | 16.9 | 25.0 |
| 1911 | 18.7 | 11.8–23.5 | 7.6 | 35.3 | 14.7 | 16.9 | 25.0 |
| 1910 | 18.7 | 11.8–23.5 | 7.6 | 35.3 | 14.7 | 16.9 | 25.0 |
| 1909 | 18.6 | 11.7–23.5 | 7.5 | 34.7 | 14.7 | 16.9 | 25.0 |
| 1908 | 17.7 | 11.0–22.4 | 7.5 | 34.7 | 14.7 | 13.4 | 24.1 |
| 1907 | 17.7 | 11.1–22.5 | 7.5 | 34.7 | 14.7 | 13.4 | 24.1 |
| 1906 | 17.7 | 11.1–22.5 | 7.5 | 34.7 | 14.7 | 13.4 | 24.1 |
| 1905 | 17.7 | 11.0–22.4 | 7.4 | 34.7 | 14.7 | 13.4 | 24.1 |
| 1904 | 17.7 | 11.0–22.4 | 7.6 | 34.7 | 14.7 | 13.4 | 24.1 |
| 1903 | 17.7 | 11.0–22.4 | 7.6 | 34.7 | 14.7 | 13.4 | 24.1 |
| 1902 | 17.7 | 11.0–22.4 | 7.6 | 34.7 | 14.7 | 13.4 | 24.1 |
| 1901 | 17.7 | 11.0–22.4 | 7.6 | 34.7 | 14.7 | 13.4 | 24.1 |
| 1900 | 17.7 | 11.0–22.4 | 7.6 | 34.7 | 14.7 | 13.4 | 24.1 |
CITE THIS PROFILE
Source and attribution
Democracys.org (2026), “India Democracy Score, 1900–2025,” Democracys Standard v1.0 beta; derived from Coppedge et al. (2026), V-Dem Country-Year Dataset v16.
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