India Placed 93rd Among 180 Nations In 2023 Corruption Index

Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) offers valuable insights into India’s standing in the global arena of public sector integrity. The 2023 report sheds light on India’s performance amidst broader trends in the Asia Pacific region, highlighting challenges and opportunities for combating corruption.

India’s Placement in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2023

India’s placement in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2023 remained largely unchanged, securing the 93rd position out of 180 countries. The CPI, curated by Transparency International, evaluates nations based on their perceived levels of public sector corruption, utilizing a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 signifies high corruption and 100 represents very clean governance.

Stability in India’s Corruption Perception

India’s overall score in the CPI for 2023 was 39, reflecting a minor fluctuation from the previous year’s score of 40. Despite this stability, the report highlights the ongoing challenges concerning civic space in India, notably citing concerns regarding a telecommunications bill that could potentially infringe on fundamental rights.

South Asia’s Corruption Landscape

The report sheds light on corruption dynamics in South Asia, where countries like Pakistan (133) and Sri Lanka (115) are contending with their debt burdens and political instability. However, both nations exhibit strong judicial oversight, which serves as a check on governmental power. Pakistan’s Supreme Court, for instance, expanded citizens’ right to information under Article 19A of its Constitution, previously limited to certain institutions.

Regional Overview: Asia Pacific

In the broader Asia Pacific region, the CPI for 2023 reveals a stagnant trend in addressing corruption, with the average score persistently lingering at 45 out of 100 for five consecutive years. The report emphasizes the lack of significant progress in combating corruption, with most countries scoring below the regional and global averages.

Global Landscape and Top Performers

Countries with robust corruption control mechanisms continue to lead the index, including New Zealand (3), Singapore (5), Australia (14), and Japan (16). Conversely, nations grappling with authoritarian regimes and humanitarian crises, such as North Korea (172) and Myanmar (162), occupy the lower rungs of the index.

Trends in CPI Scores

The report highlights notable shifts in CPI scores since 2018, with some countries experiencing declines, including Venezuela (13) and Sri Lanka (34), while others, such as South Korea (63) and Ireland (77), have shown improvements. For the sixth consecutive year, Denmark has retained its top position on the index, securing a score of 90, credited to its robust “well-functioning justice systems.

India’s CPI Ranking: A Reflection of Ongoing Challenges

India’s CPI ranking underscores the persistent challenges of corruption within its public sector, albeit with minimal fluctuations in its overall score. As part of a broader regional and global landscape, concerted efforts are imperative to address corruption effectively and safeguard democratic principles and institutional integrity.