V-Dem Democracy Index: India's Score Hits 50-Year Low
Polity · Wednesday, 2 September 2026
The latest V-Dem Democracy Report places India’s Electoral Democracy Index score at its lowest level since 1975. The Swedish institute identifies a trend of 'slow autocratisation' characterized by weakening institutional autonomy.
Quick highlights
- India’s latest score matches levels seen during the 1975 Emergency period.
- Institutional indicators like judicial accountability and impartial administration are at 50-year lows.
- The report records increased harassment of journalists and reduced academic freedom.
- V-Dem Institute is based at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Indicators include electoral integrity, civil liberties, and public administration.
Exam Angle
GS Paper II: Polity & Governance. Relevant for debates on institutional independence, freedom of expression, and global assessments of Indian democracy.
Remember this
- V-Dem Institute: Based in Sweden.
- Index Type: Multi-dimensional (not just based on elections).
- Trend identified: Slow autocratisation.
- Reference Year: Comparison to 1975 (Emergency period).
More from Wednesday, 2 September 2026
- 7th GCRMN Report: Global Coral Reefs Under Permanent Decline
- NASA Launches Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
- Maharani Avantibai Lodhi: Heroine of 1857
- Ramon Magsaysay Award 2026 Laureates Announced
- Article 142: Supreme Court Invokes 'Complete Justice' in NEET-UG Case
- Semicon 2.0: India's Next Phase for Chip Sovereignty
- Larak Island: Chokepoint Geopolitics