India Corruption Survey Reveals Widespread Distrust, Alleged Criminal Nexus
The findings suggest that a vast majority of people believe India is a corrupt country, with a whopping 89% holding this view.
By Rakesh Raman
New Delhi | May 22, 2025
New Delhi, India – An ongoing perception survey, conducted as part of the India Corruption Research Report 2025 (ICRR 2025) project by RMN Foundation / RMN News Service, indicates deep public concern and distrust regarding corruption in the country. The findings suggest that a vast majority of people believe India is a corrupt country, with a whopping 89% holding this view.
The survey further reveals that corruption has adversely affected 79% of the people in India. It is inferred that the remaining 21% who are not affected might be committing corruption crimes.
Regarding responsibility for corruption, the survey presents varied public opinions. 48% of people believe that bureaucrats are responsible, while 43% attribute corruption crimes to politicians. A smaller percentage, 9%, hold private companies responsible, suggesting they bribe government functionaries.
The perceived consequences of corruption are wide-ranging. Twenty-four percent of respondents believe corruption has destroyed democratic systems in India, and 23% say it is causing unemployment. Other adverse effects cited include injustice, human rights violations, inflation, poverty, and hunger.
Distrust extends to the institutions tasked with combating corruption. Almost all respondents (86%) stated that India’s anti-corruption agencies are not working honestly. These agencies, including the Lokpal, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Lokayuktas, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Economic Offences Wings (EOWs) of Police, and State police departments, are perceived as working “hand in glove” with corrupt government functionaries.
A significant finding relates to accountability. Due to perceived impunity for corrupt bureaucrats and politicians and dysfunctional judicial systems, 87% of people believe that corrupt officials and political leaders are not being punished suitably. This lack of punishment is seen as contributing to the rapid increase in corruption in India.
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A central theme highlighted is the perceived connection between business and politics. When asked about a criminal nexus between business oligarchs and top politicians, almost all – 79% – respondents affirmed their belief in such a criminal nexus.
The survey also reflects public dissatisfaction with the handling of corruption cases by Indian courts. 71% of people believe that Indian courts are not handling these cases effectively, suggesting that most judges are either ignorant or involved in corruption crimes. This sentiment leads to a striking finding: 75% of respondents said that Indian corruption crimes should be prosecuted in international courts because Indian courts are viewed as complicit in crimes and tend to grant bail to those accused of serious financial crimes.
Furthermore, there is distrust regarding the adequacy of current punishments. 61% of people said that imprisonment is not a sufficient punishment for corruption crimes, particularly for affluent criminals including politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen. This is due to the perception that they are secretly provided luxurious facilities in Indian jails and often released by courts without punishment.
The report is part of the work of the RMN Foundation, founded by Rakesh Raman, who also serves as Editor of RMN News Service. The RMN Foundation is registered as an educational and public charitable Trust in Delhi, India, focused on serving society, particularly children’s education.
By Rakesh Raman, who is a national award-winning journalist and social activist. He is the founder of a humanitarian organization RMN Foundation which is working in diverse areas to help the disadvantaged and distressed people in the society.
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