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.

• 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.

1. File RTI for institutional records — appointments, transfers, audits — these are the index's data inputs.
2. Bundle RTI with Lokpal/Lokayukta complaints for serious cases.
3. Use online portals that create unambiguous timestamps and reduce manipulation.
4. Report to TI India when you uncover patterns through RTI.

1. Transparency International CPI 2025.
2. TI India National Report 2025-26.

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.