It has remained a democracy with civil liberties , an active Supreme Court , and a largely independent press .
Vital to India 's self - image as an independent nation was its constitution , completed in 1950 , which put in place a secular and democratic republic .
India has remained a democracy with civil liberties , an active Supreme Court , and a largely independent press .
Vital to India 's self - image as an independent nation was its constitution , completed in 1950 , which put in place a secular and democratic republic .