Enabling principles scores
The enabling environment for civil society in India is shaped by a complex blend of laws, policies, administrative practices, and prevailing social attitudes. In the period of 2024 to 2025, several developments have significantly influenced India’s civic space.
The general elections were held from 19 April to 1 June 2024 in seven phases, which reaffirmed the ruling government’s dominance and set the tone for the political climate that followed. The elections were accompanied by heightened political polarisation, restrictions on dissent, and increased pressure on activists, journalists, and community groups. Civil society organisations (CSOs) reported instances of surveillance, harassment, and stigmatisation, particularly those critical of government policies or engaged in rights-based advocacy. The post-election period reinforced a narrative of suspicion toward independent voices, narrowing the space for civic participation and dialogue.
The India–Pakistan conflict in May 2025, which followed the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, further affected the situation for civil society. On 22 April 2025, Islamist militants from The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, killed 26 civilians—mostly Hindu tourists—in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. India responded on 6 and 7 May with Operation Sindoor: precision missile strikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan and PoJK, targeting Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba camps without hitting military assets. The four-day confrontation, known as Operation Sindoor, marked a turning point in India’s security posture. It reinforced a climate of high-level vigilance, where CSOs working on peacebuilding, human rights, and cross-border solidarity faced intensified scrutiny of foreign funding and collaborations. Internet shutdowns and surveillance measures during this period further restricted civic participation and freedom of expression.
The series of tightening India’s regulatory and legal environment continued in 2025. Laws such as the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) were applied against activists and NGOs, creating fear and uncertainty. Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA) restrictions intensified, though the Rural Development Trust’s licence renewal in mid‑2025 marked a rare exception. Meanwhile, tax reforms under the Finance Act in April 2025 eased compliance for smaller NGOs by extending 12AB validity to ten years, though dual 80G requirements remain burdensome. There was a shift in funding and civic participation. International support contracted due to stricter FCRA rules and geopolitical tensions, while domestic philanthropy and corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions expanded. Youth-led initiatives and digital mobilisation brought new energy and innovation to civic activism, even as official discourse continued to stigmatise CSOs, and misinformation campaigns undermined public trust. Restrictions on social media and periodic internet shutdowns further hindered participation, yet collaborations between CSOs and local government bodies — such as through the National Human Rights Commission’s human rights camps in late 2025 — signalled cautious openings for dialogue and reform. Taken together, these developments illustrate India’s civic space as one of constraint and resilience. Civil society continues to adapt in the face of political polarisation, regulatory hurdles, and digital restrictions, while cautiously exploring new avenues for collaboration and reform.
