India has been ranked 108th in the Electoral Democracy Index 2023 by the V-Dem Institute. The report is part of the V-Dem Annual Democracy Report, which assesses the state of democracy in the world’s nations.
The index ranks countries based on five key criteria: electoral laws and procedures, electoral district boundaries, the accuracy and reliability of voter registration, freedom of the press, and civil society participation in the electoral process.
According to the report, India scored poorly on several criteria. India scored a 0.34 in terms of electoral laws and procedures, compared to the global average of 0.52. Similarly, India scored 0.25 in terms of electoral district boundaries, compared to the global average of 0.54. India’s score on the accuracy and reliability of voter registration was 0.56, which was lower than the global average of 0.64.
India’s score on freedom of the press was also lower than the global average. India scored a 0.44 on this criterion, while the global average was 0.57. Similarly, India’s score on civil society participation in the electoral process was 0.32, compared to the global average of 0.42.
India’s overall score on the index was 0.49, which was lower than the global average of 0.54. The report highlighted that India’s score had declined steadily over the past decade, and that the country had fallen from the category of “Electoral Democracy” to “Electoral Autocracy”.
Why this News is Important:
The report’s findings are important for students preparing for government exams in India, particularly those seeking positions in civil services, police officers, and political science. The report sheds light on the state of democracy in India and highlights areas that require improvement.
Historical Context:
India’s ranking in the Electoral Democracy Index has declined steadily over the past decade. In 2014, India was ranked 60th on the index, but it has since fallen to 108th in 2023. The decline has been attributed to several factors, including the weakening of institutions, restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, and the use of money power in elections.
Key Takeaways from “India Ranks 108 on Electoral Democracy Index 2023: V-Dem Report”
| Serial Number | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | India has been ranked 108th on the Electoral Democracy Index 2023 by the V-Dem Institute. |
| 2 | India’s score on electoral laws and procedures, electoral district boundaries, accuracy and reliability of voter registration, freedom of the press, and civil society participation in the electoral process was lower than the global average. |
| 3 | India’s overall score on the index was 0.49, which was lower than the global average of 0.54. |
| 4 | The report highlighted that India’s score had declined steadily over the past decade, and that the country had fallen from the category of “Electoral Democracy” to “Electoral Autocracy”. |
| 5 | The report’s findings are important for students preparing for government exams in India, particularly those seeking positions in civil services, police officers, and political science. The report sheds light on the state of democracy in India and highlights areas that require improvement. |
Important FAQs for Students from this News
Q. What is the Electoral Democracy Index?
A. The Electoral Democracy Index is an index created by the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) project to measure the quality of elections in countries around the world.
Q. What factors are considered while calculating the Electoral Democracy Index?
A. The Electoral Democracy Index takes into account various factors such as free and fair competition, citizen participation, and legitimacy of the electoral process.
Q. What is India’s rank in the Electoral Democracy Index 2023?
A. India ranks 108th in the Electoral Democracy Index 2023.
Q. Which country topped the Electoral Democracy Index 2023?
A. Sweden topped the Electoral Democracy Index 2023.
Q. What are the key takeaways from this news story?
A. The key takeaways from this news story are that India’s rank has dropped in the Electoral Democracy Index 2023, and that there are several factors that need to be improved to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
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