Corruption Perceptions Index 2024 (CPI)

Why in News?

Corruption Perceptions Index 2024: Recently, Transparency International released the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024, revealing that most countries have made little to no progress in eliminating corruption in the public sector. This highlights the global challenges in controlling corruption.

Key Highlights of Corruption Perceptions Index 2024 (CPI)

• Assessment Scope: CPI 2024 ranks 180 countries and territories based on perceived levels of public sector corruption.
• Data Sources: The index is compiled using 13 independent data sources from reputable institutions.
• Scoring Scale: Countries are rated on a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 signifies high corruption, and 100 represents high transparency and integrity.
• Top Countries: Denmark (90), Finland (88), and Singapore (84) secured the highest ranks, setting global standards for transparency and corruption control.
• Lowest Ranked Countries: South Sudan (8), Somalia (9), and Venezuela (10) are at the bottom, indicating severe corruption issues.
• India’s Performance
  • Ranking: India is ranked 96th out of 180 countries in CPI 2024.
  • Score Trend: India’s score has declined over the years – 38 in 2024, 39 in 2023, and 40 in 2022.
• Comparison with Neighbors:
  • Pakistan: 135th
  • Sri Lanka: 121st
  • Bangladesh: 149th
  • China: 76th
• Conclusion
  • The index highlights that countries with strong, independent institutions and fair elections tend to perform better, while authoritarian regimes struggle with high corruption.
  • The global average score remains stagnant at 43/100, indicating persistent corruption challenges worldwide.
  • Two-thirds of countries scored below 50, emphasizing the urgent need for transparency and anti-corruption reforms.
  • While 32 countries have improved their CPI rankings, 47 countries have witnessed an increase in corruption levels.

Impact of Corruption on Economy, Public Life, and Society

• Impact on the Economy: Corruption negatively affects the business environment, making it difficult for new enterprises to thrive. Bribery and excessive red tape (bureaucratic hurdles) increase operational costs, discouraging both domestic and foreign investors. As a result, many international companies avoid investing in corruption-prone nations, leading to slower economic growth and reduced employment opportunities.
• Impact on Society: Corruption erodes public trust in the government, weakening democratic systems. When leaders are involved in corrupt activities, citizens lose confidence in governance and may refrain from voting, leading to voter apathy. Over time, corruption becomes socially normalized, causing a decline in ethical values. This acceptance of corruption makes it even more challenging to implement meaningful reforms and restore integrity in governance.
• Impact on Public Life: Corruption directly affects the quality of public services, forcing ordinary citizens to pay bribes even for basic amenities. Essential services such as municipal facilities, electricity supply, and disaster relief often lack transparency, favoring only the affluent. Corruption in the judicial system allows criminals to escape punishment, while innocent individuals struggle for justice for years due to delayed investigations and tampered evidence.
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Corruption and the Climate Crisis

• Misuse of Climate Funds: Corruption significantly worsens the climate crisis by diverting funds meant for climate adaptation and mitigation. This results in ineffective implementation of environmental programs. Vulnerable communities that are most affected by climate change do not receive the necessary resources due to financial mismanagement and embezzlement.
• Corporate Influence on Policies: Business interests often manipulate climate policies through corrupt practices, making it difficult to enforce effective environmental laws. Large corporations exploit their power to promote profit-driven policies, weakening global efforts to combat climate change. Corruption enables these industries to lobby against stricter regulations, preventing the implementation of robust climate policies.
• Weak Enforcement of Environmental Laws: Bribery among officials leads to the neglect of environmental violations, further harming ecosystems. This weak enforcement of environmental regulations fuels illegal deforestation, wildlife poaching, and unsustainable industrial practices. As a result, environmental crimes have become the fourth-largest organized crime globally, threatening biodiversity and accelerating ecological destruction.

Control of Corruption to Address the Climate Crisis

• It is essential to maintain transparency in climate finance to prevent the misuse of resources. Governments and the private sector must publicly disclose information about their climate-related investments and projects. Strengthening Right to Information (RTI) and independent auditing procedures will ensure continuous monitoring of the implementation of climate projects.
• To effectively combat the climate crisis, all nations must coordinate through platforms like the United Nations, G20, and other international forums. Developed countries should provide financial and technical support to developing nations so they can implement their climate policies effectively. Independent oversight bodies should be established to monitor the implementation of climate agreements.
• Involving local communities in climate projects and giving them responsibility for monitoring will help reduce corruption. Providing affected communities with information about climate finance and projects can promote the process of social audits. Strengthening the role of village assemblies, civil society organizations, and environmental activists and recognizing their contributions will be crucial in combating corruption and ensuring the success of climate initiatives.

Measures to Prevent Corruption in India

• Legislative Measures: India has enacted several laws to curb corruption, which define corrupt activities, prescribe punishments, and provide provisions for the confiscation of property obtained through corruption.
  • Indian Penal Code, 1860: It includes several sections related to bribery and corruption.
  • Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988: This act mandates strict punishments for those involved in taking and giving bribes.
  • Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002: It was enacted to prevent money laundering, which involves converting illegally gained money into legitimate assets.
  • Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010: It controls the misuse of foreign donations and corruption within political parties or organizations.
  • Companies Act, 2013: This act addresses corporate corruption and irregularities within companies.
  • Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013: It establishes mechanisms to oversee government officials and leaders holding high offices to ensure accountability.
• Institutional Measures: Several institutions in India are dedicated to investigating and monitoring corruption-related cases.
  • Central Vigilance Commission (CVC): An independent body that works to prevent corruption and increase vigilance within government offices.
  • Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): India’s primary investigation agency handling high-level corruption cases.
  • Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG): This office audits government expenditure and exposes financial irregularities.
  • Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS): An online portal designed to address citizens’ complaints effectively.
• Technological Measures: Efforts are being made to prevent corruption through digital technology, which enhances transparency and reduces direct contact between government officials and the public.
  • E-Governance: By offering government services online, transparency in decision-making processes has increased.
  • Digital Payments: Encouraging digital payments reduces cash transactions and, consequently, opportunities for bribery.
  • Online Services: Services such as passports, driving licenses, government subsidies, and others are available online, minimizing the role of intermediaries.

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