India Placed on Global Human Rights Watchlist Amid Intensifying Repression in Modi’s Third Term

India has been added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist following a rapid deterioration in civic freedoms during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term. The country is now rated as “Repressed,” reflecting the systematic use of anti-terror laws, censorship, and intensified crackdowns on activists and civil society.

RMN News Human Rights Desk
New Delhi | July 30, 2026

India has officially been added to the latest CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist due to a sharp decline in civic freedoms and the escalating persecution of activists, journalists, and civil society organizations. The country is currently rated as “Repressed,” which is the second-lowest rating a nation can receive, signifying severe restrictions on the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. India is now one of only 50 countries globally to hold this designation.

According to the sources, the Indian government has systematically expanded its use of the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to silence dissent. In June 2026, activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were once again denied bail after being held under the UAPA since 2020 on charges linked to the Delhi riots. Furthermore, the National Investigation Agency recently renewed its pursuit of activists tied to the long-running Bhima Koregaon case, many of whom have already spent years in pre-trial detention.

The crackdown has also targeted peaceful assembly and independent media. In early 2026, police were accused of using excessive force against factory workers in Noida and youth protesters from the Cockroach Janta Party. Journalists face similar pressures; investigative journalist Ravi Nair was sentenced to prison in February 2026 for social media posts, while news outlets like TeluguScribe have faced investigations under anti-terror legislation. Proposed amendments to the Information Technology Rules threaten to grant authorities even broader powers to censor independent news organizations.

Beyond legal and physical intimidation, the government has tightened its grip on civil society through the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). Amendments adopted in June 2026 have increased government control over NGO assets and restricted the ability of these organizations to engage in political advocacy or receive foreign funding. These measures are particularly acute in Jammu and Kashmir, where authorities continue to throttle internet services and target human rights defenders like Khurram Parvez. In a “Repressed” environment, individuals who criticize power holders face constant risks of surveillance, harassment, and imprisonment.