Mapping digital democracy: lessons from India

Digital Democracy is the integration of digital technologies into governance to enhance accessibility, inclusivity, and responsiveness in the democratic process. It also encompasses active participation of citizens from different socio-economic backgrounds, engaging in large-scale deliberation in digital spaces. This allows for the amplification of voices that might be excluded from the traditional democratic governance system. The ubiquity of digital devices, along with the perpetual presence of the internet in daily lives, highlights the potential of technologies to impact democratic governance. They increase political participation and democratize access to information through new digital platforms like social media, digital forums, etc., strengthening democracy and making government more responsive to the needs of its citizens. Recently, the Gen Z-led protests in countries like Nepal, Morocco, Indonesia, etc., have been initiated through digital spaces, where the youth from different socio—economic backgrounds came together to engage in rights-based deliberations. These protests demonstrate the importance of digital spaces in making the government accountable. It is no secret that the world is witnessing a constant decline in democracy across the globe. India ranked 100 of 179 countries in the Liberal Democracy Index as reported by Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) and scored 50 out of 100 in Internet Freedom. These statistics suggest that, despite various initiatives by the government, the digital space in India is not an ideal platform for democratic governance. Beyond governance, the social fabric of digital democracy is tainted by exclusionary practices, online harassment, hate, and the constant shrinking of space for dissent. There has been a significant increase in discriminatory policies and harassment of journalists, NGOs in order to curb the freedom of speech and expression in the country. Government decisions like Internet shutdowns, Content Regulations, Surveillance on opposition, as well as CSOs, have constantly contributed to the erosion of democratic norms of India. India’s digital ecosystem is vast, comprising a mix of traditional media and the digital landscape, including mobile connectivity, social media, and regional content. India has one of the largest populations of active internet users, fostering an environment for online civic engagement. With the Digital India Mission initiated in 2015, the government aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure, making governmental services electronically accessible to citizens, and empowering its citizens through digital literacy and employment. Platforms like Digital India, cVIGIL, and MyGov have provided new channels for grievance redressal, electoral transparency, and citizen participation in governance through contributing ideas and opinions to government services. However, the digital divide is significant in India, with it having a large share of the population unconnected from the internet. Digital exclusion, algorithmic opacity, and surveillance are some other challenges that users face in the digital landscape, posing risks to democratic participation.

Among various stakeholders, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) play a significant role in reshaping democratic governance in the country. Their role has become crucial in leveraging digital tools and platforms for reshaping the governance of the country. Yet, their work often unfolds in silos, under-resourced and unrecognized, particularly those who are making a difference at grassroots levels.

Hearing the ground realities

A mapping survey on Digital Democracy was carried out, which was electronically disseminated to CSOs in each region of India, ensuring broad geographic representation. A total of 30 CSOs across India participated in the survey, with thematic priorities in digital democracy, civil liberties, and human rights.

These organizations have digital presence across various digital platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp. They utilize these channels to engage and advance their cause of digital rights, human rights, and civil liberties. These platforms are increasingly used to connect with the public, furthering their cause and providing a voice to those vulnerable sections. The ubiquity of digital devices has allowed citizens to use digital and social platforms. This has resulted in easy access to information as well as active participation in matters of concern.  For these organizations, digital democracy is not only about using digital platforms for furthering their cause but also about people, practices, and long-term support. They attempt to teach people to access and use governmental services online, building digital documentation, advocating for digital literacy, and promoting remote justice.

The following field narratives distil the ground practices from 30 grassroots organizations, showcasing how digital democracy becomes operational when technology gets embedded in civic practice.

Society for People’s Action in Rural Service & Health (SPARSH), a tribal-region non-governmental organization (NGO), has blended cultural sensitivity with sustainable development, empowering marginalized communities. The organization, through its digital capacity and Digital Literacy and Democracy initiatives, has empowered tribal youth and women with knowledge and digital tools, enabling access to entitlements, education, and civic participation.  The organization uses mobile-based data collection tools and digital monitoring systems that enable real-time reporting from field areas. To overcome the barriers of digital security, SPARSH is building digital literacy among its staff and community leaders, promoting local language-based digital tools, and exploring partnerships for improved connectivity and infrastructure.

Veda Ankuram Foundation, based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is a newly established organization with a heartfelt mission to empower underprivileged girls and youth by bridging the digital divide and giving them the skills they need to navigate today’s world confidently. They aim to establish government-supported AI and digital learning centres, which will serve as safe, accessible spaces where girls can learn basic AI concepts and digital literacy, empowering them to use technology effectively in everyday life. Thereby converting individual digital literacy into community access to Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and other government-related online services. The training will focus on practical software skills, including Google Workspace, MS Office, Excel, and Canva, helping them develop competencies that are highly useful in schools, workplaces, and personal projects. They aim to create a cycle of empowerment where underprivileged girls are not just recipients of education but agents of change, guiding their families and neighbours to become digitally competent, confident, and self-reliant.

Aasra Foundation (Jaipur) has secured video conferencing technology for testimonies and digital case management, making courts child-friendly while protecting privacy and ensuring justice. The Legal Services Clinic, a student-run committee at the National Law University, Odisha, has conducted various outreach programs to spread legal awareness in remote areas of Odisha. The lack of infrastructure in these remote regions inhibits them from reaching a larger audience through digital platforms, which they aim to cover. Docustan trains community filmmakers to document pressing issues of ecology, mental health, labor, and folk culture, and uses digital and in-person distribution for disseminating socially engaged content aimed at influencing public discourse and expanding its reach in India.  It envisions a future where it can actively dismantle barriers related to caste, class that prevent marginalized voices from entering and thriving in the filmmaking ecosystem.

Challenges

Limitation of survey.

Despite sincere efforts to reach a larger audience, this survey still had its limitations. One significant hurdle that was encountered was access to grassroots-level CSOs. Even after their digital presence spread across various platforms, it was difficult to locate these organizations online. Help from residents and friends was sought to locate these organizations and motivate them to participate in the survey. The grass-roots level CSOs were hesitant to share their details and participate in the survey. This hesitation is generally a result of surveillance by the government on the activities of the CSOs and the restrictive laws of the country, like the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967, Foreign Contributions Regulation Act 2003. These draconian laws have been used by the government as weapons to control CSOs and detain human rights defenders in the past. The CSOs fear that the survey responses could be misused for targeting them and were therefore, reluctant to participate in the survey. It is after much persuasion, some organizations agreed to participate in the survey.

Additionally, while India has the largest population of internet users, it also accounts for a wide digital disparity, resulting in a large section of the population without digital access. Concomitantly, this unconnected population’s voices are unheard, depriving them of participating in democratic governance of the country through digital means. Thereby, marginalizing the already marginalized population.

Challenges and risks faced by the CSOs.

Despite promising practices, there are certain operational challenges that are faced by these organizations. Firstly, connectivity and infrastructure issues pose a significant issue for the organizations. The limited digital capacity and data system challenge overall monitoring and reporting by the organization, hindering the effective implementation of programs. Irregular power supply and limited access to quality digital devices, especially in rural areas, further impede digital participation.

Secondly, the digital literacy among both the beneficiaries and staff is limited and low. Many grassroots non-governmental organizations lack trained personnel or technical expertise to effectively use digital tools for advocacy, communication, and data management. This thereby limits the ability of the CSOs to reach a wider range of audiences or engage in civic-tech solutions.

Thirdly, the major problem that every CSO faces is limited funding and financial sustainability. Short-term grants cover only tool purchase but do not cover maintenance of the same.  The long-term sustainability, conservation practices, and livelihood interventions beyond the project period remain a key challenge due to insufficient funds.  Finances are a major challenge for organizations in Meghalaya, especially in light of the ongoing state disturbances and the presence of pressure groups. Staff retention is also a challenge, especially in tribal areas, due to insufficient funds.

Fourthly, the online data security and safety are at risk. CSOs, like Participatory Action for Community Empowerment (PACE) and SPARSH, share how sensitive and personal information of the organizations is stored online. However, due to inadequate systems and insufficient facilities for securing, handling, and encrypting data, the sensitive information is vulnerable and prone to hacking, phishing, and data breaches.  There have been various instances of misinformation, online hate, and harassment, particularly targeting women, posing serious threats to the physical and mental well-being of the people. This thereby discourages people from digital engagements.

Fifthly, a keen observation that was shared by SPARSH was that the digital platforms and e-governance solutions are often in the English language and are urban-centric. This, in turn, excludes those who speak local languages.

Lastly, the major challenge faced is the legal framework regulating foreign funding of the CSOs. The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act [hereinafter ‘the Act’] governs the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by the CSOs.  The law prohibits any foreign funding that is purportedly “detrimental to the national interest”, leaving a wide scope for the government to abuse its power and arbitrarily prohibit foreign funding to CSOs in the guise of national interest. The Act further prohibits the CSOs from transferring funds to their partner CSOs within the country, impeding their operations, as well as threatening the existence of smaller CSOs. Recently, the CSOs have been under constant scrutiny of the Central government over their activities and funding, with some receiving notices for suspension or non-renewal, or cancellation of their licenses under the Act. The period of suspension of a CSO has been increased from 180 days to 360 days, adversely hampering the survival of CSOs, especially those that are small CSOs and operative at grassroots levels. The 2020 amendment to the Act has also removed the 6-month limitation on the official to complete the inquiry, enhancing the scope of harassment of the organizations by the officials. The Act and its 2020 amendments have created a chilling effect, where the law specifically targets those CSOs that are critical of the government’s policies and actions. This, thereby, creates an atmosphere of fear that curtails the active participation of CSOs, resulting in erosion of democratic foundations.

Opportunities in India

The mapping survey reveals a vibrant and evolving ecosystem of grassroots organizations that are embracing digital tools to expand civic participation. These CSOs are not just using these digital tools and technology to expand their outreach but also to reshape the governance in India to be more inclusive and accessible. Whether in tribal regions, remote districts, or bustling urban settlements, these organisations are making a key difference. Their efforts reflect a commitment to making every voice heard and ensuring that all communities are able to engage meaningfully in the democratic process. The initiatives of the CSOs, as highlighted above, demonstrate how digital literacy, legal facilitation, and participation through media can expand access to civil liberties and justice. Platforms like MyGov, Digital India, and cVIGIL are formal channels provided by the government, however, inaccessible to many. It is these CSOs that make these platforms relevant and usable for the excluded population, integrating them into India’s democratic framework.

The falling bar of Indian democracy is evident and therefore provides a great opportunity to strengthen the initiatives of these CSOs, enabling them to actualize the potential of grassroots movements, promoting civic engagement, and advocating for greater transparency and accountability in governance. This, therefore, can lead to a more informed and participatory citizenry that not only demands but drives the positive change within the democratic framework of India. The innovations and experiments by CSOs through digital tools are often low-tech, locally adapted, and deeply connected to local communities, helping them to adapt and survive challenges. The opportunity lies in strengthening these models, tailoring them according to demographic and geographical needs, and documenting their impact.

Digital democracy in India is not limited to and extends far beyond than just having access to the internet. It is about empowering the marginalized to build and acquire the essential skills, foster trust among one another, and take active roles in guiding their own communities. These CSOs, if given the right kind of support, have the potential to transform the local initiatives into robust systems where the ignored become visible and play a meaningful role in the democratic governance of the country.

Why financial and non-financial support matters?

These grassroots organizations play a critical role in promoting digital democracy. Yet, they operate with minimal resources, limited recognition, and fragmented networks. The major issue that resurfaced in every response to the survey was insufficient funds that continuously impede their outreach and implementation of initiatives.  Financial support is vital to sustain staff, maintain and upgrade infrastructure, broaden their outreach, purchase necessary technology, and invest in long-term campaigns for digital literacy, digital safety, documentation, and training. The mapping survey disclosed that many CSOs struggle with issues like Staff retention, digital literacy, and cyber threats, all because of underinvestment. Organizations of Meghalaya and Bihar face pressure group risks, digital harassment of women, and poor internet connectivity. Still, they continue to deliver high-impact work. Helping CSOs like these is not just providing grants or monetary aid for projects, it is also keeping the democracy strong in places where it is at most risk.

On the other hand, Digital literacy and Digital Infrastructure are prerequisites for the furtherance of digital democracy. Therefore, a special focus must be attributed to these factors. In a country like India, where the digital divide is huge, the gap has to be bridged through conscious efforts by securing investments for infrastructure developments in tribal and rural areas and providing accessible and affordable internet services. Digital Literacy Programs must be developed by partnering with educational institutions or tech companies, which shall be tailored according to geographical, cultural, and linguistic requirements.

Apart from financial support, non-financial support is equally important. A comprehensive support system involving mentorship, legal and technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives is essential for these CSOs. Additionally, providing them with training and conducting digital security workshops will enable them to safeguard against digital threats like cyber threats and government surveillance. A network of CSOs working on common thematic areas can be created, which will, in return, promote knowledge sharing and collaborations among the CSOs, fostering a meaningful coexistence of CSOs that will further strengthen the digital engagement of our society. Additionally, as the digital challenges are not subjected to geographical boundaries, we can attempt to foster international collaborations that will expose these CSOs to international experiences, furthering the advancement of digital democracy.

Recommendations for the funders

Funders should reconsider their approach and should now dispense with offering grants for short-term projects. Instead, they should support and focus on a long-term vision that promotes sustainable change. This means upgrading infrastructure and sourcing internet setup, retaining staff, and supporting initiatives working for furthering the cause of digital democracy rather than sourcing purchase of digital tools. Given the geographical limitations of tribal and rural regions, it is important to focus on solutions that work offline, use less data, and provide platforms that are available in local languages. Community-led digital literacy centers can be weaponized to transform individual skills into shared civil participation and should be prioritized, as this will create a cycle of empowerment using fewer resources.

Additionally, Digital safety and data protection must be treated as a core requirement rather than as optional extras, as these are the rising areas of concern that majorly discourage people from using digital devices and participating in governance of the country, keeping their voices unheard. Civic media and storytelling platforms like those of Docustan’s participatory films and Lightcube’s archival exhibitions are an exceptional way to proliferate democratic dialogue that can be effectively adopted for achieving digital democracy in India.

Achieving digital democracy is not something that we can achieve overnight or through short-term projects, rather, it takes continuous and deliberate efforts to extend its reach to the marginalized community. Funders shall be prepared for slower progress in remote and tribal areas and trust the community relations that have developed over time, which will lead to lasting impact. The grant structures are needed to be flexible as to adapt to the political sensitivities, local feedback, and seasonal rhythms. Finally, the funders can work closely with the grantee organization to assess the lessons learnt and help them document their work, share experiences by building a network of CSOs nationally and internationally, and enable them to participate in policy discussions highlighting local voices. Through this lasting support, we can create an inclusive environment where no voice goes unheard in a democratic society, strengthening digital democracy from the grassroots.