India Improves Rank in Global Corruption Index 2025

India has climbed five places to rank 91st on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025, marking a modest but notable improvement in its global standing on public sector integrity. The index, released by Transparency International, assesses perceived corruption levels across 182 countries and territories worldwide.

India’s Ranking and Score Explained

According to the CPI 2025, India’s score improved by one point compared to the previous year, leading to a jump from 96th to 91st position. The CPI uses a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 indicates a highly corrupt public sector and 100 signifies a very clean one. India’s incremental score rise suggests limited progress in governance and anti-corruption measures, rather than a structural shift. The report underlines that improvements remain fragile and uneven.

Asia-Pacific Trends and Global Context

The report highlights slow and inconsistent progress across the Asia-Pacific region. Several countries witnessed public discontent and protests over corruption and weak accountability during the past year. Globally, the average CPI score has declined to a historic low of 42, with more than two-thirds of countries scoring below 50. This reflects a broader global challenge, where corruption continues to undermine public services, disaster preparedness, and long-term development outcomes.

Concerns Over Press Freedom and Accountability

India has also been listed among countries considered dangerous for journalists reporting on corruption. The CPI report notes that since 2012, 829 journalists have been murdered globally in non-conflict zones, with over 90 per cent of these killings occurring in countries scoring below 50 on the index. Restrictions on civic space, combined with threats to journalists and civil society, weaken democratic checks and enable corruption to persist.

Important Facts for Exams

• Corruption Perceptions Index is released annually by Transparency International.
• CPI ranks countries on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
• India ranked 91st out of 182 countries in CPI 2025.
• Global average CPI score in 2025 declined to 42.

Global Leaders and Laggards on the Index

At the top of the CPI 2025 rankings, Denmark retained its first position with a score of 89, followed by Finland and Singapore. At the bottom were South Sudan and Somalia, both scoring nine points. Among major democracies, the United Kingdom ranked 20th, while the United States stood at 29th, reflecting a broader concern about declining anti-corruption performance even in established political systems.