The features of democracy can be categorised in the form of questions followed by classification of features like:
(a) Who are the rulers in the democracy?
People are the rulers in the democracy who ruled with the help of its elected representatives of the people.
(b) What kind of election constitutes a democratic election?
Free and fair election constitutes a democratic election. But the elections must offer a real choice between political alternatives. And it should be possible for people to use this choice to remove the existing rulers if they wish so.
(c) Who are the people who can elect the rulers?
Citizens above 18 years of age elect the rulers on the basis of one person, one vote, one value, i.e. universal adult franchise. As democracy is based on the fundamental principles of political equality in a good democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.
(d) What kind of government is democracy?
Good democracy is based on the rule of law ans respect for rights. A democratic government cannot do whatever it likes simply because it has won an election. It has to respect basic rules.
(e) As democracy is based on deliberation and negotiation, every major decision has to go through a series of consultations and every office-bearer has certain rights and responsibilities assigned by the constitution and the law.
Thus, a good democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens' rights.

A challenge refers to a difficulty which carries within it an opportunity for further progress and can be overcome
The following are the major challenges to democracy in India.
(a) Foundational challenge: This challenge involves:
(i) making transition to democracy and then instituting democratic government.
(ii) bringing down the existing non-democratic regime.
(iii) keeping military away from controlling government.
(iv) establishing a sovereign and functional state.
(b) Challenge of expansion of democracy: This challenge signifies:
(i) extension of democratic power to local governments.
(ii) expansion of federal principles to all the federal units.
(iii) political empowerment to women and minorities.
(c) Challenge of deepening of democracy: This challenge ensures:
(i) strengthening of democratic institutions and democratic principles.
(ii) to check the influence of the wealthy and powerful people in democratic decisions.
(iii) empowering the general section of people through democratic institutions.

The following are the major challenges to democracy in India.
(a) Foundational Challenge: This challenge involves:
(i) making transition to democracy and then instituting democratic government.
(ii) bringing down the existing non-democratic regime.
(iii) keeping military away from controlling government.
(iv) establishing a sovereign and functional state.
(b) Challenge of expansion of democracy: This challenge signifies:
(i) extension of democratic power to local governments
(ii) expansion of federal principles to all the federal units
(iii) political empowerment to women and minorities.
(c) Challenge of deepening of democracy: This challenge ensures:
(i) strengthening of democratic institutions and democratic principles.
(ii) to check the influence of the wealthy and powerful people in democratic decisions.
(iii) empowering the general section of people through democratic institutions.

The following are the major challenges to democracy in India.
(a) Foundational Challenge: This challenge involves:
(i) making transition to democracy and then instituting democratic government.
(ii) bringing down the existing non-democratic regime.
(iii) keeping military away from controlling government.
(iv) establishing a sovereign and functional state.
(b) Challenge of expansion of democracy: This challenge signifies:
(i) extension of democratic power to local governments
(ii) expansion of federal principles to all the federal units
(iii) political empowerment to women and minorities.
(c) Challenge of deepening of democracy: This challenge ensures:
(i) strengthening of democratic institutions and democratic principles.
(ii) to check the influence of the wealthy and powerful people in democratic decisions.
(iii) empowering the general section of people through democratic institutions.

(i) Politics through religion: Religious communities on their own can find ways of peaceful existence, but increasing political interference has led to a greater religious intolerance. This intolerance becomes dangerous when politicians interfered with people's passions. For example, Sectarian tensions mixed with the rivalries of the 2007 'elections in Punjab, when activists of various Sikh bodies clashed with the followers of the Sirsa based Dera Sacha Sauda, which had close ties with the Congress Party, over an advertisement the Dera placed in various dailies depicting its chief dressed as Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru.
(ii) Caste War: Caste wars are not going to disappear from the democratic map of India because politics is moving consistently on narrow sectarian lines. At present, it is difficult to decide if caste is altering politics or politics is shifting caste equations. For example, caste alienation has been deepened by the reservation for Jats and the government needs to rethink about its reservation policy.
(iii) Remove economic inequality: To remove economic inequality the need is delivery of basic social and physical infrastructure. we still have poor infrastructure. Inspector Raj and labour policy that discourages employment. It is the failure of the State which is major cause of concern. The present growth is in stride with the rapidly changing global environment but for the poor to really benefit the country needs more functioning schools and health centres. Our concern in India should be to lift poor people into the middle class. 
(iv) Gender division: Gender discrimination and women's political representation are not given adequate attention. In India proportion of women in legislatures has been very low.
(v) Corruption: The Indian democracy has faced with routine cases of corruption. For example. 2G scam, CWG scam, fodder scam, to mention a few. In substantive terms it may be reasonable to expect from democracy a government that is attentive to the needs and demands of the people and is largely free of corruption. But unfortunately the record of Indian democracy is not impressive and clean. 

(i) Politics through religion: Religious communities on their own can find ways of peaceful existence, but increasing political interference has led to a greater religious intolerance. This intolerance becomes dangerous when politicians interfered with people's passions. For example, Sectarian tensions mixed with the rivalries of the 2007 'elections in Punjab, when activists of various Sikh bodies clashed with the followers of the Sirsa based Dera Sacha Sauda, which had close ties with the Congress Party, over an advertisement the Dera placed in various dailies depicting its chief dressed as Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru.
(ii) Caste War: Caste wars are not going to disappear from the democratic map of India because politics is moving consistently on narrow sectarian lines. At present, it is difficult to decide if caste is altering politics or politics is shifting caste equations. For example, caste alienation has been deepened by the reservation for Jats and the government needs to rethink about its reservation policy.
(iii) Remove economic inequality: To remove economic inequality the need is delivery of basic social and physical infrastructure. we still have poor infrastructure. Inspector Raj and labour policy that discourages employment. It is the failure of the State which is major cause of concern. The present growth is in stride with the rapidly changing global environment but for the poor to really benefit the country needs more functioning schools and health centres. Our concern in India should be to lift poor people into the middle class. 
(iv) Gender division: Gender discrimination and women's political representation are not given adequate attention. In India proportion of women in legislatures has been very low.
(v) Corruption: The Indian democracy has faced with routine cases of corruption. For example. 2G scam, CWG scam, fodder scam, to mention a few. In substantive terms it may be reasonable to expect from democracy a government that is attentive to the needs and demands of the people and is largely free of corruption. But unfortunately the record of Indian democracy is not impressive and clean. 

(i) Carefully devised changes in law can help to discourage wrong political practices and encourage good ones. At the same time, legal-constitutional changes by themselves cannot overcome challenges to democracy. They are to be carried out mainly by political activities, parties movements and politically conscious citizens.
(ii) Legal changes can sometimes be counter-productive. Generally, laws that seek to ban something are not very successful. Rather laws that give political actors incentives to do good things have more chances of working. For, example, the `Right to Information Act' empowers people to act as watchdogs of democracy.
(iii) The main focus of political reforms should be on ways to strengthen democratic practice. The most important concern should be to increase and improve the quality of political participation by ordinary citizens.
(iv) Any proposal for political reforms should think not only about what is a good solution but also about who will implement it and how measures that rely or democratic movements, citizens' organisations and the media are likely to succeed. 

A 'challenge' is a difficulty which carries within it an opportunity for progress. Three major challenge are :
(i) Foundational challenge is about making the transition to democracy and then instituting a democratic government. This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military away from controlling the government and establishing a sovereign and functional state. Example : Myanmar, Chile, Nepal
(ii) Challenge of Expansion is faced (by most of the established democracies. This involves applying the basic principle of democratic government across all the regions, different social groups and various institutions. Most countries including India and other democracies like the U.S. face this challenge.
(iii) Deepening of democracy : This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy, especially those that help people's participation and control. This attempts to bring down the control and influence of the rich and powerful people in making governmental decision. ​​​​​​​

It is true that different countries facp different kinds of challenges —
(i) Non-democratic countries false foundational challenges. This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military away from controlling government and establishing a sovereign and functional state. Example: In Myanmar, military rule should be challenged. Suu Kyi should be freed and should be elected as the representative of the popular government.
(ii) Every democracy faces the challenge of deepening of democracy. This involves applying the basic principle of democratic government across all the regions, different social groups and various institutions. Example: In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to take part in public activities, and no freedom of religion is there for the minorities.
(iii) Every democracy faces the challenge of expansion. This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy. It requires an attempt to bring down that control and influence of the rich and powerful people in making governmental decision. Example: In USA, Black or African-American people have won equal rights, but are still poor, less educated and marginalised. 

India has been a democracy since it won independence in 1947. Sixty three years have not shaken the roots of democracy in our country. First of all, India has given equal rights and freedom to every citizen. Fundamental rights are given by the Constitution to all the people. There is universal adult franchise which gives every citizen a right to vote in elections. This has made the political parties to reach out to millions of people located in urban, rural or slum areas. The citizens are also now aware of the power they have to change governments and disapprove their policies. Government has taken measures to protect the weaker section of society. They are given reservation of seats in the Parliament, State Assemblies and local bodies. Seats are reserved for women in the Panchayati Raj institutions. There is full freedom of thought, speech and writing and people can form and express their opinions without fear. There is Freedom of Press. The press can shape public opinion by giving unbiased news about issues facing the country. India has a federal system where power is shared both horizontally and vertically. People have a say in decision-making right from the village panchayat to the top. All these factors have kept India a united democracy.