Abstract

The rapid expansion of social media platforms in India has brought about a transformative shift in the way democracy functions especially in the realms of political communication electoral campaigning civic participation and public opinion formation. These digital platforms have not only enhanced citizen engagement but have also introduced complex challenges related to misinformation political polarization surveillance and ethical accountability. This paper critically examines the multifaceted role of social media in shaping democratic processes in contemporary India. Drawing on real-world events policy developments and theoretical frameworks the paper explores the dual impact of social media: as a democratic enabler and as a source of democratic distortion. It argues that while social media has empowered citizens and facilitated participatory governance it has also undermined deliberative democracy by fostering echo chambers algorithmic bias and populist manipulation. The paper conclu