Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024

1. India has been ranked 96th out of 180 countries in the 29^th Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024, as per the Transparency International report released in February 2025.
2. India’s CPI score in 2024 is 38, marking a decline from 39 in 2023 and 40 in 2022 — indicating a worsening perception of public sector corruption.

 

Key Points about CPI Index
 

1. The index measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption.
2. The CPI score ranges from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
3. Each country’s score is derived from at least three data sources, selected from 13 different corruption surveys and assessments.
4. Sources include global institutions like the World Bank and World Economic Forum.

 

Global and Regional Highlights
 

Top and Bottom Performers
 

Top 3 Countries
Rank	Country	Score
1	Denmark	90
2	Finland	88
3	Singapore	84
Bottom 3 countries
180	South Sudan	8 (Displaced Somalia at the bottom)
179	Venezuela	10
178	Syria	12

 

• South Sudan is now the lowest-ranked country with a score of 8, while Somalia scored 9.
• Denmark, Finland, and Singapore continue to lead the chart with the highest CPI scores.

 

 

Asia-Pacific Region Performance
 

• The regional average score declined to 44, reflecting failure to deliver on anti-corruption promises.
• India's score of 38 is below the regional average.

 

Performance of India’s Neighbours
 

Country	CPI Score
Bangladesh	23
Pakistan	27
Sri Lanka	32

 

• Bangladesh, despite being a major recipient of climate finance, faces serious risks of embezzlement and corruption.
• Pakistan shows governance gaps and policy delays, especially in climate-related implementation.

 

 

Long-Term Trends and Concerns

 

1. Since 2012, only 32 countries have significantly improved their corruption levels.
2. However, 148 countries have either stagnated or worsened.
3. Over two-thirds of countries scored below 50, highlighting global challenges in tackling corruption.
4. The global average CPI score remains stagnant at 43 for several years.

 

Corruption and Climate Change: A Dangerous Nexus
 

1. The CPI 2024 report underlines the strong linkage between corruption and climate change.
2. Corruption often leads to misuse of climate funds, preventing help from reaching vulnerable populations.
3. It hinders effective implementation of environmental policies, thereby causing greater environmental damage.
4. In many climate-vulnerable countries, funds meant for mitigation and adaptation are siphoned off due to systemic corruption.

 

India’s Anti-Corruption Framework- Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act
 

Background and Evolution

 

1. The idea of Lokpal (anti-corruption ombudsman) was first proposed in 1963 during a discussion on Union Law Ministry’s budget allocation.
2. Between 1968 and 2001, eight different bills were introduced in Parliament but none were passed during that period.
3. Meanwhile, some states took independent initiatives — Maharashtra was the first to establish a Lokayukta in 1971 under the Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upayukta Act.
    

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013
 

1. Came into effect on January 16, 2014.
2. Provides for a central anti-corruption ombudsman called Lokpal, headed by a Chairperson who is:
   1. A former Chief Justice of India, or
   2. A former Supreme Court Judge, or
   3. An eminent person with prescribed qualifications.

 

Composition of Lokpal
 

1. Lokpal can have up to 8 members, with 50% as judicial members.
2. Among total members, at least 50% must belong to SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, and women.
    

Jurisdiction of Lokpal
 

1. Covers a wide spectrum of public officials including:
   1. Prime Minister
   2. Union Ministers
   3. Members of Parliament
   4. Central Government Officers (Groups A, B, C, and D)
       
2. Lokpal can inquire into allegations of corruption related to these officials.
    
3. Exceptions for Prime Minister’s Inquiry:
   1. No inquiry if the matter relates to international relations, internal/external security, public order, atomic energy, or space.
   2. Inquiry against PM can begin only if approved by full Lokpal bench and at least two-thirds of the members.
       

Tenure and Appointment
 

Lokpal Chairperson and members hold office for 5 years or until the age of 70, whichever is earlier.
 

Key Appointments So Far
 

1. Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose (Retd. Supreme Court Judge) was the first Lokpal Chairperson, appointed in March 2019.
2. After his retirement in May 2022, Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty (Retd. Jharkhand HC Chief Justice) served as Acting Chairperson.
3. In 2024, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar (Retd. Supreme Court Judge) was appointed as the new Lokpal of India.

 

Refer Current Affairs Total (CAT) Magazine January 2025, Page 14-15 for Comprehensive Coverage of Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act.

 

 

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