Journal Abstract

India’s democracy is entering a decisive phase. As the country approaches the 2029 general elections, a central tension is becoming increasingly visible: the pull between majoritarian consolidation and pluralistic resilience. This article examines how this tension is reshaping India’s political landscape, institutions, and democratic practices. It argues that while electoral democracy in India remains robust in procedural terms, the deeper norms of pluralism—diversity, dissent, and institutional autonomy—are being actively contested. Drawing on an integrated framework that combines majoritarian democracy, pluralist theory, and democratic backsliding literature, the study shows that recent political developments, such as the centralization of power, the nationalization of political narratives, and the reconfiguration of party competition, have tilted the system toward a more majoritarian orientation. At the same time, regional parties, civil society, and subnational institutions continue to sustain pluralistic counter-currents, preventing a full erosion of democratic diversity. This article concludes that India’s democratic future will depend on the balance between these competing forces. The run-up to 2029 is, therefore, not just another electoral cycle but a critical juncture that will determine whether India consolidates a majoritarian model of governance or reaffirms its pluralistic democratic foundations.