Socialism is the most pervasive thought of present age. India, among many democratic countries, provided it constitutional recognition. In this doctrine, social and economic justice is ensured by way of adopting democratic means and efforts are also made to maintain individual dignity. The study of evolution (development) of socialism in India can be done with the help of the following heads.

Declaration in Lahore convention : 

Advent of socialism took place in India during the national struggle against British Imperialism. For the very first time in 1929 at Congress, Lahore Session, it was put on record that poor condition of India was not only due to the exploitation by foreign rulers but also due to its ill economic concept. And to overcome, it is necessary that social and economic changes should be made at a great pace. 

Approval of proposal by Karachi Session : In 1931, in Karachi Session of Congress, it was declared in the approved draft, “If we want to have real/natural freedom (Swaraj) for the common man, its meaning is not hidden in getting only political freedom, but to get the economic freedom also for the people of the nation”. 

Contribution of Indian leadership : Gandhiji established socialism according to the circumstances, and Indian ideals. When the revolutionary movements were adopted to get freedom, at that time many great leaders spread the spirit of socialism among Indians to get aware of its value. Among these prominent leaders were Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru, Shubhash Chandra Bose, Acharya Narendra Dev, Jai Prakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia and Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay etc. They all played a significant role in maintaining socialism’s popularity among the people.

Practical situation : Ever since the freedom of the country from Britishers till date, every ruling party in power along with opposition parties has tried to prove that they all have been in support of socialism, but in practical form whatever they have done for it, it is not enough to get socialism in its perfect form. Reason behind this situation is that there are many lapses and disparities prevalent in economic structure of our country.