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Key Points
India scored 39 out of 100 and ranked 91st among 182 countries, improving from 96th position last year but remaining below the global average of 42.
The report identified India among countries considered risky for journalists reporting on corruption and noted that more than two-thirds of nations scored below 50 globally.
Transparency International reported regional stagnation in Asia Pacific, warning that weak law enforcement and limited accountability continue to undermine governance.
India has been ranked 91st out of 182 countries and territories on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025, with a score of 39, according to the latest report released by Transparency International on 10 February 2026. Transparency International is an NGO that tracks and tackles corruption globally.
The ranking marks an improvement of five places from the previous year, when India stood at the 96th position. India’s score has increased by one point. However, the country remains below the global average score of 42, reflecting persistent concerns over public sector corruption.
India was also listed among countries described as “dangerous for journalists reporting on corruption.” The report noted that since 2012, 829 journalists have been murdered in non-conflict zones worldwide. More than 90% per cent of these killings occurred in countries with a CPI score below 50, including India, which scored 39. Other countries cited include Brazil (35), Mexico (27), Pakistan (28) and Iraq (28).
The Corruption Perceptions Index measures perceived levels of public sector corruption based on assessments by experts and business leaders. Scores range from 0, indicating highly corrupt, to 100, reflecting a very clean public sector. India’s score of 39 suggests that corruption continues to be viewed as a structural issue affecting governance, accountability and transparency across institutions.
Transparency International noted that there has been slow progress in anti-corruption efforts in the Asia Pacific region. The regional average score stands at 45 out of 100, indicating that corruption levels have remained largely unchanged over the past decade.
The 2025 report observed that widespread frustration over weak governance and limited accountability triggered protests across several countries during the year, particularly among younger populations. It added that anti-government protests in many parts of the world show public anger against unaccountable leadership and demand reform.
“In many countries across Asia Pacific, good governance is being undermined by weak law enforcement, unaccountable leadership and opacity in political funding,” Ilham Mohamed, Asia Pacific Adviser of Transparency International, said in a statement. He added that leaders must act to curb corruption and strengthen democracy, stating that meaningful reforms can rebuild public trust.
In the Philippines, which scored 32 and ranked 120th, public anger intensified over allegations that funds were siphoned off from a fake flood relief project. In Indonesia, which scored 34 and ranked 109th, anti-government protests turned violent, resulting in deaths and injuries. Nepal, also scoring 34 and ranked 109th, witnessed mass demonstrations that led to the fall of the government amid dissatisfaction over corruption and restrictions on social media.
Transparency International stated that while 31 countries have significantly reduced their corruption levels since 2012, the rest have either stagnated or worsened. The global average has fallen to a new low of 42, and more than two thirds of countries scored below 50.
The report said corruption leads to underfunded hospitals, unbuilt flood defences and diminished opportunities for young people. It described corruption as a serious threat in every part of the world, with limited signs of sustained progress.
The CPI 2025 ranks 182 countries and territories globally. Denmark retained the top position with a score of 89, followed by Finland with 88 and Singapore with 84. New Zealand and Norway shared fourth place with scores of 81. At the bottom of the index were Somalia and South Sudan, both scoring 9.
In the Asia Pacific region, some countries showed statistically significant improvements since 2012. Maldives ranked 91st, Vietnam 81st and Timor Leste 73rd, with Transparency International attributing improvements to institutional reforms and efforts to tackle petty corruption. However, fragile states such as Afghanistan and Myanmar, both ranked 169th with scores of 16, and North Korea ranked 172nd, continued to perform poorly due to restricted civic space and weak judicial independence.
Within South Asia, Bangladesh scored 24 and ranked 150th, while Pakistan ranked 136th with a score of 28. Indonesia, despite regional unrest, remained at 109th with a score of 34.
The report also noted that established democracies have experienced declines in performance. The United States was ranked 29th, while the United Kingdom placed 20th. The absence of bold leadership, Transparency International stated, has led to weaker standards and enforcement, lowering ambition on anti-corruption efforts globally. The organisation warned that increasing restrictions on civic space make it harder for citizens, civil society organisations and journalists to challenge abuses of power, reducing transparency and accountability and allowing corruption to flourish.
India’s position at 91st reflects incremental improvement but underscores the continued challenge of tackling public sector corruption. Transparency International’s report indicates that sustained institutional reform and strengthened accountability mechanisms will be central to improving future rankings.
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