CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIA
AUTHOR – MR. MD JIYAUDDIN, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, SCHOOL OF LAW, BRAINWARE UNIVERSITY, KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, IMDJIYAUDDIN@GAMIL.COM
BEST CITATION – MR. MD JIYAUDDIN, CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (11) OF 2025, PG. 621-631, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344
Abstract
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in India play an important role in pushing for social justice and policy reform, but they sometimes operate behind a shroud of exceptionalism, claiming intimidation by the state when confronted with legal challenges. This contradiction emphasises the critical importance of responsibility. Civil Society Organisations are an important part of India’s democratic structure, serving as a link between the government and its population. CSOs, which include a wide range of non-state actors such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community groups, social movements, and advocacy networks, play an important role in encouraging civic participation and democratic governance. In a varied country like India, where social, economic, and political inequities exist, CSOs act not just as watchdogs but also as change agents, promoting public conversation and fighting for marginalised voices. Civil society is based on the principle of collective action, in which individuals’ band together to seek shared interests and fight for the rights and welfare of communities. This is especially important in India, considering the country’s enormous population, unique cultural tapestry, and the myriad issues its residents confront, such as poverty, prejudice, and corruption. Citizens can use civil society organisations to communicate their concerns, mobilise for social justice, and actively engage in democracy. In this article, the author will look at the many roles and functions of civil society organisations in Indian democracy, including their contributions to increasing democratic participation, campaigning for human rights, and pressing for governance improvements. This will provide us with a better understanding of how CSOs not only contribute to India’s democratic landscape, but also assist define its future direction.
Key Words: Social justice, Policy reform, Advocacy, Human rights, Community groups and Unique cultural tapestry.