In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, economic, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India. (UPSC 2015)

India’s low rank in the Transparency International integrity index reflects weak institutions and erosion of civic ethics. Public morality declines when rules are easy to bend and corruption becomes socially tolerated.

• Legal: Slow corruption trials, weak whistle-blower protection and poor transparency reduce deterrence.
• Political: Criminalisation, opaque party funding, high election costs and weak scrutiny deepen the nexus of money and power.
• Economic: Poverty, inequality, low public wages and discretionary control over land, minerals and procurement encourage bribery and rent-seeking.
• Social-cultural: Corruption as a “normal” adjustment, patronage, caste/family loyalties, consumerism and status-seeking weaken merit, fairness and public service values.

Thus, public morality can be restored only through swift justice, cleaner politics, simpler rules and sustained civic-ethical reform.