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Transparency International India CPI 2025 — what the report tells RTI users
Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 ranked India 89th of 180 countries with a score of 39/100 — broadly stable from 85/100 in 2024. The accompanying India report has data points that matter for RTI users.
Headline findings
- Citizen-RTI use continues to grow, especially in Tier-2 cities.
- Police, land-revenue and municipal services remain the top “perceived corruption” departments.
- Information Commission backlogs flagged as a structural blocker.
- DPDP §44(3) flagged as a regression for accountability journalism.
- Whistle-blower protection still weak; many RTI activists report intimidation.
What citizens can do
- File RTI for institutional records — appointments, transfers, audits — these are the index's data inputs.
- Bundle RTI with Lokpal/Lokayukta complaints for serious cases.
- Use online portals that create unambiguous timestamps and reduce manipulation.
- Report to TI India when you uncover patterns through RTI.
Sources
- Transparency International CPI 2025.
- TI India National Report 2025-26.
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.