Submitted by Team 6 :

• Samridhi Raju
• Pari Sehgal
• Lerato Silvia Mahau
• Ogbemudia Stefane Hilary

 Corruption and Transparency in Governance: A Continuous Struggle

 1.0 Introduction

“Corruption and hypocrisy ought not to be inevitable products of democracy, as They undoubtedly are today”

• Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948)

Corruption is a snag to good governance,  development in economics sectors, entrusted power for private gain,  and social justice. It involves the violate of public power for personal benefit, provoking sluggishness, inequality, and erodes public trust. It exhibit invarious forms, like extortion, bribery, breac of trust, nepotism, crookedness and malfeasance affecting both developed and developing nations. Corruption is widespread overall nations and it is a worldwide wonder.

On the other hand, Transparency is the key to accountability and ethical governance, ensuring that government actions are open to public scrutiny. Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows corruption rank180 countries across world in which The CPI Scale, 0 shows highly corrupt while 100 is very clean. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024 highlights that global corruption levels remain alarmingly high, with 47 out of 180 surveyed countries recording their lowest scores in over a decade. (APNEWS.COM)

1.1 Understanding Corruption: India and Global Context

Corruption in India

India has long battle with corruption across various sectors. A study by GAN Integrity indicates that three-quarters of surveyed Indian households perceive the police force as corrupt, with citizens frequently encountering bribery demands during interactions with law enforcement. (ganintegrity.com)

This perception is compounded by factors such as overworked and underpaid security personnel and political interference, which create an environment conducive to corrupt practices.

There is a Research which published in the Journal of Economics and Political Science shows that approximately 77% cases of corruption didn’t reported in India.(ideas.repec.org)

This underreporting impedes the accurate assessment of corruption’s prevalence and hampers effective policy formulation.

The economic depravity in India are profound. A study was examining the impact of corruption on India’s economic growth found a moderate positive relationship between the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), suggesting that higher perceived corruption correlates with economic challenges. (ijpsl.in)

1.2 Global Perspective

Globally, corruption pervasive issue which continues to pose significant challenges like hindering economics growth and social development. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports shows that governments has less corrupt collect, on average, 4% more of their GDP in tax revenues compared to those with higher corruption levels. (IMF.ORG)  This political biribery underscores how corruption undermines extractive capacity and public service delivery.

The Corruption Perceptions Index(CPI) of 2024  highlights that many nations encounter their worst corruption scores in over a decade. Notably, South Sudan fell to the bottom of the index with a score of eight, while, Finland, Singapore and Denmark remained the least corrupt countries.(APNEWS.COM)

Above findings represent the persistent and pervasive nature of corruption across different nations in governance systems.

In today’s era we can see Corruption is appeared as virus which affects everyone either they do or not and we can’t fix it. It  leads to infringement of human rights in public domain. Even now we can’t say corruption is done by rich people only its create uniformity between rich and poor people. 

2.0   Impact and Causes of Corruption

 Corruption is a deeply rooted issue that affects governance, economic growth, and social stability. It manifests in various forms, such as bribery, embezzlement, favoritism, and abuse of power. The causes of corruption are multifaceted, involving political, economic, and cultural factors, while its impacts are widespread, affecting both individuals and institutions and governance.

2.1 Causes of Corruption

1. Weak Institutional Frameworks

One of the root causes of corruption is inadequate institutional frameworks. Corruption thrives when there are weak institutions and inefficient law enforcement. Corruption is frequently high in nations with lax legal systems and little accountability procedures. In India, for instance, the slow judicial process and ineffective implementation of anti-corruption laws have enabled corrupt officials to act with impunity (IntechOpen, 2018).

2. Political and Bureaucratic Corruption

Political corruption, including vote-buying, nepotism, and illicit campaign financing, weakens democratic institutions. The 2011 Indian Lokpal Movement, led by activists demanding an independent anti-corruption body, was a response to widespread political corruption, particularly in government contracts and public service delivery (IntechOpen, 2018). In many developing countries, politicians misuse public funds for personal or party benefits, further entrenching corruption. In Brazil, the Petrobras corruption scandal revealed how state-owned enterprises can be exploited for political and personal gains, highlighting the need for transparency in governance (EconStor, 2019)

3. Economic Inequality and Low Salaries

Corruption is frequently caused by economic inequality since low-paid public servants may turn to bribery to augment their income. Low wages and extreme poverty are the root causes of petty corruption in nations like Nigeria and India, where people pay bribes for necessities like healthcare and education (IntechOpen, 2018). For instance, in India, low police salaries have been linked to bribe-taking, particularly in traffic enforcement and administrative services (IMF, 1998). Similarly, in Nigeria, public officials have been known to demand bribes for issuing business licenses, causing delays and discouraging investment (UNESCAP, 2000)

4.Lack of Transparency and Accountability

Corruption is encouraged by a lack of transparency in public administration. When there is no public supervision of budgetary allocations, political contributions, or procurement procedures, authorities can embezzle money with no repercussions. In India, the Coal Allocation Scam (2012) exposed the dangers of opaque administration and caused enormous financial losses when coal blocks were distributed without competitive bidding (IntechOpen, 2018).

2.2 Impact of Corruption

1. Economic Consequences

Corruption slows economic development by discouraging foreign investment and increasing the cost of doing business. According to a World Bank study, corruption can slow a nation’s GDP development by 2-3% percent annually (IntechOpen, 2018). Investor confidence was damaged by the 2G Spectrum Scam (2008) in India, which resulted in an estimated loss of $39 billion from falsified telecom licenses.

2. Undermining Democracy and Governance

Corruption weakens democratic institutions by allowing leaders to remain in power through bribery and electoral fraud. In countries like Russia and Venezuela, corruption in the judiciary and law enforcement enables political leaders to suppress opposition and manipulate elections (IntechOpen, 2018).

3. Social Inequality and Poor Public Services

Major amenities like infrastructure, healthcare, and education are impacted when public funds are misused through dishonest means. Many people in India are left without assistance as a result of the misallocation of funds caused by corruption in welfare programs such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) (IntechOpen, 2018). Similarly, in South Africa, corruption in healthcare procurement led to shortages of essential medicines, impacting patient care (IntechOpen, 2018).

3.0 TRANSPARENCY AS A SOLUTION

Transparency plays a pivotal role in combating corruption and promoting good governance in India. Corruption manifests in various forms, such as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and abuse of power, undermining public trust and economic growth. To address these issues, the Indian government has implemented several measures aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in governance, instrumental in reducing corruption and ensuring the effective utilization of public resources.

3.1 Right to information

One of the most significant steps toward transparency is the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, empowering citizens to access information from public authorities. By mandating disclosure of government actions and decisions, the RTI Act has exposed numerous scams, such as the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) embezzlement case in Uttar Pradesh, where activists used RTI to uncover misuse of funds (“The Impact of the Right to Information Act – 2005 (RTI) on Transparency and Accountability in Indian Governance: An Empirical Study,” 2023) .The Act has not only increased public oversight but also reduced opportunities for corrupt practices by holding officials accountable.

3.2 The digitization of government services

The digitization of government services is another critical initiative that has enhanced transparency. Programs under the Digital India initiative, launched in 2015, aim to reduce human intervention in service delivery through e-governance platforms. Digitizing processes such as land records, contract bidding, and welfare scheme payments has minimized bureaucratic inefficiencies and reduced corruption. The Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system ensures that subsidies and benefits reach intended beneficiaries directly, eliminating middlemen and reducing leakages (Raghuveer Pujari & Joshi, 2024).

The introduction of Aadhaar, India’s unique biometric identification system, has been a game-changer in promoting transparency. By linking Aadhaar to welfare schemes and public services, the government has eliminated fake identities and ensured the fair distribution of resources. This system has significantly reduced corruption in programs like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), where payments are now made directly to workers’ bank accounts (Rajendran, 2024).

3.3 Legal reforms

Legal reforms have also strengthened anti-corruption mechanisms. The Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014, encourages individuals to report corrupt practices by safeguarding whistleblowers from harassment. Institutions like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have been empowered to investigate corruption cases more effectively (Aadil Ahmad Shairgojri & Subramanian, 2023). However, ensuring their independence remains a persistent challenge.

3.4 State-level initiatives

State level initiatives have further demonstrated the potential of transparency in governance. For example, states like Gujarat have implemented online systems for contract bidding and service delivery, reducing opportunities for graft. Andhra Pradesh’s use of biometrically authenticated smartcards for welfare payments has curtailed leakages by over 40% (Kumar, 2019).

3.5 Challenges

Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Corruption at higher levels of governance often undermines these efforts. To achieve lasting change, transparency must be complemented by robust enforcement mechanisms and increased public participation. Strengthening institutional autonomy and ensuring punitive measures for non-compliance are essential steps forward. Furthermore, enhancing the capacity of the judiciary to handle corruption cases promptly is crucial for deterring future misconduct.

Therefore, transparency is a cornerstone of India’s fight against corruption. By empowering citizens through RTI, leveraging technology for digitization, and reforming legal frameworks, India has made significant progress in curbing corruption. Sustained efforts are needed to institutionalize transparency across all levels of governance to ensure accountability and equitable resource distribution, fostering a culture of integrity and trust in public administration.

4.0  Anti-Corruption Efforts and Challenges, What Works? : India & Global Perspectives

Procuring anything and everything mentioned formerly, aspects and agendas aligning parallel, are to be elaborated furthermore.

• Can transparency, stamp out corruption or does idealism stands to pave the way?
• Who is to essentially promulgate anti-corruption agendas? The people holding power or the unaware?
• If corruption adapts faster than reforms, is it truly possible to defeat it?

4.1 The Landscape

1. A Terrain: The Corruption Pyramid

In Colin Nye’s classical definition, corruption is “behavior that deviates from the formal duties of a public role (elective or appointive) because of private regarding (personal, close family, private clique) wealth or status gains”.
Corruption can be visualized as a hierarchical pyramid, where power and influence dictate its scale and impact.

2. Models of Anti-Corruption Efforts

• The Western Legalism & Regulation: The United States’ Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prohibits U.S. firms from bribing foreign officials. Wherein, the other face of the coin portrays that the U.S. allows lobbying, which is often legalized bribery. Is it a yet another Western propaganda?

• The Scandinavian Model: Trust-Based Governance- High trust in institutions, Strong public sector integrity, Transparent political funding. Can this model work in countries with deeply embedded corruption? (Rothstein & Teorell, 2008).

• The Indian arena: Blend of Loopholes and Reforms- The complex bureaucratic systems birthing opportunities for corruption, roots via the excessive paperwork and licensing, brought in view by the English, which later encouraged bribery as a shortcut. Systems such as Project Vigeye and the Integrity Pact have been introduced, but they fail due to, fear of retaliation, and weak enforcement mechanisms. Legal reforms like the Income Disclosure Scheme of 2016 have been criticized for providing liberty to tax evaders, mistakenly legitimizing corruption (Chakraborty, 2017).

4.2 Unmasking the veil of deceit: Challenges to an anti-corrupt globe

Whistleblowers face exile, investigations stall, and elites rewrite rules to shield themselves. Are we exposing corruption or managing it? Abundance of laid examples, a few analyzed-Income Disclosure Scheme (2016) – Allowed individuals to declare undisclosed income and pay a penalty instead of facing legal action. Reality: Critics argue it legalized corruption by offering amnesty to tax evaders. Open Government Partnership (OGP) (2011) – A multilateral initiative where countries commit to open data, civic participation, and transparency. Reality: Over 75 countries participate, but some (like Hungary) backtracked after political pressure.

4.3 Beyond the Surface: Rethinking

Success stories exist — working has to put forward including the minimas plus the power hawkers—Hong Kong’s ICAC operates independently, while Germany’s transparent political funding laws prevent opaque donations. Wherein, India’s Electoral Bonds scheme enables anonymous funding putting ahead the weakening of accountability. Technology-driven reforms like Estonia’s e-Governance have curbed corruption, but India’s digitization efforts remain vulnerable to local manipulation. Political will, institutional capacity, and cultural attitudes must align to create an effective anti-corruption environment. It isn’t just laws—it’s political will, judicial efficiency, and cultural shifts. Putting forward and ahead- Can corruption be eradicated, or must governance evolve to minimize its necessity?

 5.0 CONCLUSION: Towards a transparent future

Corruption is not just an abuse of power for personal gains but it is much more than that. It can be rightly described in the words of François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International, that “Corruption is an evolving global threat that does far more than undermine development – it is a key cause of declining democracy, instability and human rights violations.” Moreover, it is not just a legal or political issue but it is deeply embedded in societal structures as well. Instances like the failure of whistle blower protections, the selective application of anti-corruption laws and persistent opaque political funding clearly show that corruption is often managed rather than eradicated.

To combat this issue what we need is a multi-faceted approach, one that not only introduces new laws but also ensures that they are implemented rightly, one that strengthens the institutions, promotes civic engagement and utilizes technology for the purpose of transparency.

A strong and transparent legal system should be the norm wherein the corrupt officials are held accountable. Laws like Prevention of Corruption Act and the Lokapal and Lokayuktas Act in India are the phenomenal examples of this. It is also imperative that these laws are enforced properly and stricter penalties are enforced upon the defaulters.

The presence of a vigilant and informed society is a must so as to hold the governments accountable. Media also plays a huge role in establishing transparency where in many cases media and various NGOs have been an instrument to expose corruption and advocate for reforms. 2G Spectrum Scam and Common Wealth Games Scam are examples of importance of media’s role in ensuring transparency in governance.

In today’s digital world it also becomes important that the government introduces new ways to ensure that transparency in governance is maintained. Introduction of e- governance is one such step. Use of technologies like Blockchain technology, Artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly root out the issue of human discretion and bribery and will make governance more efficient and transparent.

We must learn from the successful models around the world like Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption and Germany’s transparent political finance laws. These laws have proven that sustained institutional commitment can provide results. The anti-corruption measures should now focus on structural transformations where power is held accountable, and civic engagement is not only encouraged but protected as well. The governments need to understand that there is no one single approach that can eliminate corruption universally rather we need strategies that are context specific and address the various political, economic and cultural situations of each and every nation.

Now the question remains that can corruption ever be fully eradicated? And the answer to this is – probably not! But what can be done is minimization of corruption, closing of the loopholes that make corrupt activities convenient. Moreover, the need of the hour is to develop such a political culture wherein transparency is the norm, not the exception. The way forward is not just about fighting corruption but it is more about building institutions and systems that are so strong and prioritize honesty and accountability over everything.

REFERENCES:

1.International Monetary Fund, Fiscal Affairs Department Corruption Around the World: Causes, Consequences, Scope, and Cures

https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/wp9863.pdf

2. Chakraborty, A. (2017). Income Disclosure Scheme and the Legitimation of Corruption in India. Journal of South Asian Economics.

3.  Nepal Journals Online

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