75 Years of Indian Democracy Book Released by Harivansh
Deputy Chairman Harivansh Releases Major Reference Book on India’s Democratic Journey and Launches Two Research Journals
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Shri Harivansh on Monday released a new reference book tracing India’s electoral history over the past 75 years and launched two peer-reviewed academic journals focused on elections and socio-economic research. The event took place at his official residence in New Delhi, where he unveiled 75 Years of Indian Democracy: The Indian Election Story in Facts & Figures (1950 to 2025) along with the first editions of the Indian Journal of Electoral Studies (IJES) and the Indian Journal of Socio-Economic Studies (IJSES).
The book, published by Indiastat Publications, documents the development of India’s democratic process from the adoption of the Constitution in 1950 through the first half of 2025. It records elections held for the offices of the President, Vice President, Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, bringing together statistical data, timelines, charts and records of constitutional tenures in a single volume. An additional section covers important electoral and political developments between January and June 2026, making it one of the most up-to-date reference works on India’s electoral history.
India is recognised as the world’s largest democracy, with more than 960 million registered voters eligible to participate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Since the first general election held in 1951 and 1952, the country has witnessed regular elections at the national, state and local levels. The Election Commission of India has overseen this process while introducing electronic voting machines, voter-verified paper audit trails and digital services to improve transparency and efficiency over the years.
Against this background, publications that bring together verified electoral records have become increasingly valuable for researchers, policymakers, students and journalists. Election data is often spread across official reports, gazettes and archives. A single reference source can help users compare election cycles, understand political trends and examine changes in voter participation over time.
The newly launched Indian Journal of Electoral Studies aims to provide a platform for academic work on subjects such as electoral systems, democratic institutions, election management, political participation, voting behaviour, electoral reforms and international comparisons of election practices. The journal is expected to publish peer-reviewed research every quarter, offering scholars an opportunity to present evidence-based studies on democratic institutions.
Alongside it, the Indian Journal of Socio-Economic Studies will focus on research related to India’s economy, society, governance, public policy and sustainable development. Academic journals that follow a peer review process are generally considered more reliable because submitted research is evaluated by independent experts before publication. Such journals often become important sources for universities, government departments and policy researchers.
Speaking at the event, Shri Harivansh welcomed efforts that encourage serious research and systematic documentation of India’s democratic experience.
He said, “comprehensive works documenting India’s democratic evolution serve as valuable reference resources for researchers, policymakers and future generations. The publication brings together over seven decades of electoral data in a single volume, preserving an important part of India’s democratic heritage while facilitating informed research and public understanding.”
His remarks come at a time when debates on electoral reforms, voter participation, digital campaigning and the role of technology in elections continue to shape public discussion in India. Reliable historical records can help researchers examine long-term trends rather than relying only on current political developments.
The publication has been edited by Dr R. K. Thukral, Director of Indiastat Publications, who has worked extensively in the field of statistical data compilation and information services. Indiastat Publications has produced a range of reference works and databases covering India’s economy, demographics, governance and development indicators.
Dr Thukral said the latest initiative reflects the organisation’s effort to make authentic electoral and socio economic information available to researchers, academic institutions, policymakers and the wider public.
He also thanked Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh for releasing the publications and supporting scholarly work that contributes to a better understanding of India’s democratic institutions and development.
The release of the book and the two journals comes at a time when public access to verified data has become increasingly important. Researchers studying elections often rely on official statistics to examine voter turnout, political representation, party performance and constitutional developments. Journalists and students also use such information to verify historical events and understand changes in India’s political landscape.
India’s democratic system has grown significantly since the first general election, with expanding voter rolls, stronger election management systems and increasing participation by women, young voters and historically underrepresented communities. Election data has also become more accessible through digital platforms maintained by constitutional bodies, although comprehensive historical compilations remain relatively limited.
By bringing together election records covering more than seven decades and introducing two specialised research journals, the initiative seeks to provide additional resources for academic study, policy analysis and public understanding of India’s democratic and socio-economic development. The publications are expected to serve as reference material for Members of Parliament, election administrators, universities, researchers, journalists and readers interested in the history and functioning of Indian democracy.
