Abstract

The rapid expansion of social media has revolutionized political communication and public participation in India. Platforms like Facebook Twitter (X) YouTube and WhatsApp have not only transformed how citizens access information but also how they engage with democratic processes. This paper critically examines the role of social media in shaping political awareness and behavior in India between 2010 and 2025. Drawing upon sociological and communication theories it explores how digital media bridges gaps between citizens and the political system promotes participatory discourse and simultaneously fuels misinformation and polarization. The paper further evaluates the evolution of social media–driven electoral campaigns youth participation and issue-based mobilization. It concludes that social media has emerged as both a tool of empowerment and manipulation—expanding political consciousness while challenging the ethical and regulatory capacities of India’s democracy.