Economic reforms initiated in 1991 marked a significant shift in India's development strategy from a state-led mixed economy to a liberalized, privatized, and globalized economy. These reforms aimed to accelerate economic growth, improve efficiency, attract foreign investment, and integrate India with the global economy. While they contributed to rapid economic expansion and technological advancement, they also produced mixed outcomes for democracy and development, particularly regarding inequality and environmental sustainability. The liberalization process led to higher GDP growth, expansion of the private sector, increased foreign direct investment, and integration with global markets. Information technology, telecommunications, finance, pharmaceuticals, and services emerged as major contributors to economic growth. A growing middle class, improved infrastructure, and increased employment opportunities in certain sectors reflected the developmental benefits of reforms. Democratic institutions also adapted by promoting decentralization, market-oriented governance, and greater participation of private and civil society actors in development. Economic reforms strengthened democratic aspirations by expanding educational opportunities, access to information, and consumer choices. Globalisation facilitated technological innovation, digital connectivity, and greater awareness of rights among citizens. Civil society organizations, media, and social movements increasingly used democratic platforms to demand accountability, transparency, and inclusive governance. Legislations such as the Right to Information Act and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act reflected attempts to combine economic growth with democratic welfare. However, the benefits of reforms have been unevenly distributed. Income and wealth inequality have widened considerably, with a disproportionate share of economic gains accruing to urban elites and corporate sectors. Regional disparities between developed and underdeveloped states have increased, while rural areas often lag behind in employment generation and infrastructure. Informal workers, small farmers, and marginalized communities have experienced economic insecurity due to market competition, declining public investment in certain sectors, and fluctuations in global markets. Agricultural distress illustrates the unequal effects of globalisation. While commercial agriculture benefited from export opportunities, many small and marginal farmers faced rising input costs, indebtedness, price volatility, and climate-related risks. The persistence of rural poverty despite overall economic growth highlights the limitations of market-led development in ensuring equitable outcomes. Globalisation has also affected labour markets by increasing contractual employment and informalization. Although employment opportunities expanded in services and manufacturing, job security, social protection, and labour rights often weakened. This has