Last-mile delivery, women leadership and scale define world’s largest democracy
January 15, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India’s democratic model is centred on “last-mile delivery” and inclusive governance, ensuring development reaches every citizen without discrimination. Emphasising welfare-driven policies, he noted that nearly 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty in recent years due to people-centric initiatives, underlining democracy’s role in improving lives at the grassroots level.
Highlighting the scale of Indian democracy, the Prime Minister described the 2024 general elections as the largest democratic exercise in human history. He pointed out that around 980 million citizens were registered to vote, with over 8,000 candidates and more than 700 political parties participating, reflecting the depth and vibrancy of political engagement across the country.
The Prime Minister also stressed the growing leadership role of women in Indian democracy. From record women voter turnout to women occupying top constitutional posts, India is witnessing a shift from participation to leadership, he said. He added that nearly 1.5 million elected women representatives serve in local governance, close to 50% at the grassroots level, while India’s linguistic and media diversity continues to thrive as a strength of its democratic framework.