Answer: 

Introduction:

According to Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), India ranked 85th out of 180 countries, with a score of 40 out of 100, indicating a significant issue with corruption and public morality. The low ranking can be attributed to various legal, political, social, and cultural factors that have contributed to the decline of public morality in India.

Body:

India’s low ranking on this index is a result of various factors that are listed below:

Legal Factors:

• Inadequate laws and regulations: India lacks comprehensive anti-corruption laws, and existing laws have loopholes that are exploited by corrupt individuals.
• Weak enforcement: Law enforcement agencies in India often suffer from inadequate resources, low capacity, and limited autonomy.
• Delays in the judicial process: The slow and overburdened judicial system in India leads to delays in delivering justice, which enables corrupt individuals to evade punishment.

Political Factors:

• Political patronage: Politicians may indulge in corrupt practices to fund their election campaigns or secure loyalty from their supporters.
• Lack of transparency in political funding: The opaque nature of political funding in India, including the use of electoral bonds, makes it difficult to track the source of funds, thereby promoting corruption.
• Criminalization of politics: The presence of politicians with criminal backgrounds in elected positions undermines the integrity of the political system and normalizes corrupt practices.

Social Factors:

• Widespread acceptance of corruption: In some instances, corruption is seen as an acceptable practice or a necessary evil to get things done, contributing to a culture of tolerance towards corruption.
• Lack of awareness: Many citizens may not be fully aware of their rights and entitlements, making them vulnerable to corrupt practices by public officials.
• Inadequate whistleblowing mechanisms: The lack of effective mechanisms for reporting corruption and the fear of reprisal discourages whistleblowers from coming forward.

Cultural Factors:

• Nepotism and favoritism: Cultural factors like kinship and caste-based networks may lead to nepotism and favoritism in public appointments and resource allocation, promoting corruption.
• Social hierarchies: Deep-rooted social hierarchies in India can contribute to the misuse of power by those in positions of authority, leading to corruption and exploitation of vulnerable sections of society.
• Bribery as a cultural norm: In some cases, bribery may be considered a customary practice or a way of showing gratitude, further perpetuating corruption.

Conclusion:

To address this issue, India needs to strengthen its anti-corruption laws, enhance transparency and accountability in the political system, create awareness about citizens’ rights, and promote a culture of integrity and ethical conduct in public life.

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