To what extent do pressure groups, social movements and corporate lobbies deepen pluralistic democracy in India by representing excluded interests? Analyse whether the growing convergence of corporate wealth and political power poses a threat to the autonomy of formal democratic institutions.

Shows how rules on foreign funding shape the space NGOs have to represent excluded interests.

• Note that NGOs work in health, education, disaster relief and rights advocacy, often reaching places the State does not.
• Around 22,000 FCRA registrations have been cancelled since 2010, according to the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law.
• Warn of a chilling effect: foreign donors withdraw and NGOs avoid policy criticism.

Large donations routed through obscure registered parties illustrate money power converging with politics and weakening scrutiny by electoral institutions.

• A BBC News Hindi investigation reported six Gujarat-based RUPPs received about ₹1,700 crore in donations in 2023-24, more than the ₹1,480 crore received by five national parties.
• RUPPs enjoy tax exemption on donations, but weak disclosure (only 26% had public 2022-23 reports, per ADR) leaves them open to misuse for tax evasion and money laundering, the explainer notes.
• Reform ideas: link tax exemption to a minimum vote share, mandate audited accounts on a public portal, and coordinate the EC with tax authorities and financial intelligence units.