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In the recently released Corruption Perceptions Index, 2023 by the Transparency International India's standing in the Corruption Perceptions Index remained relatively stable at 93 out of 180 countries.

The Index: It sheds light on the nation's perceived levels of public sector corruption.

2022 vs 2023

• In 2022, India secured the 85th position with an overall score of 40.
• However, in 2023, the country's score slightly dropped to 39, signaling concerns about corruption levels.
• The Corruption Perceptions Index utilizes a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 representing high corruption and 100 indicating a very clean environment.

India and Corruption Perceptions Index 2023:

• The report notes that India's modest fluctuation in scores doesn't permit firm conclusions regarding any significant change.
• However, it highlights a narrowing civic space leading up to the elections, emphasizing the potential threats to fundamental rights posed by recent legislative actions, such as the telecommunication bill.

South Asia's Landscape:

• In South Asia, the report points out challenges faced by Pakistan (133) and Sri Lanka (115) due to debt burdens and political instability.
• Despite these issues, both countries exhibit strong judicial oversight, acting as a check on the government.
• Bangladesh (149), while making progress economically, faces hurdles in disseminating information due to a crackdown on the press.

Insights from the Asia Pacific Region:

• The report draws attention to China's (76) aggressive anti-corruption measures, punishing millions of officials over the last decade.
• However, concerns arise over the reliance on punishment rather than institutional checks.
• Across the Asia Pacific region, the report reveals a stagnant average Corruption Perceptions Index score of 45 for five consecutive years, indicating a lack of meaningful progress in curbing corruption.

Global Rankings and Weak Scores:

• Seventy-one percent of countries in Asia and the Pacific fall below the regional and global average scores, reflecting shortcomings in delivering on anti-corruption agendas by elected officials.
• Countries like New Zealand (3), Singapore (5), Australia (14), and others, maintaining strong corruption control mechanisms, continue to lead the index.
• Conversely, fragile states with authoritarian regimes, including North Korea (172) and Myanmar (162), find themselves at the bottom.