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Asked: 2024-09-10T11:34:05+05:30 In:

In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, economic, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India. (200 words) [UPSC 2016]

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Roadmap for Answer Writing

  1. Introduction

    • Introduce the context of the question.
    • Mention India’s ranking in Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
    • State the purpose of the answer: to discuss factors contributing to the decline of public morality.

  2. Legal Factors

    • Discuss the inadequacy of anti-corruption laws.
      • Fact: India lacks comprehensive anti-corruption legislation.
    • Mention weak enforcement of existing laws.
      • Fact: Law enforcement agencies are under-resourced and lack autonomy.
    • Address delays in the judicial process.
      • Fact: The backlog in Indian courts results in prolonged trials, often exceeding 5 years.

  3. Political Factors

    • Explore political patronage and its role in corruption.
      • Fact: Politicians often resort to corrupt practices to fund election campaigns.
    • Discuss the lack of transparency in political funding.
      • Fact: The use of electoral bonds obscures the source of political donations.
    • Mention the criminalization of politics.
      • Fact: Over 40% of elected MPs in India have criminal charges against them.

  4. Economic Factors

    • Briefly discuss economic inequalities that foster corruption.
      • Fact: Economic disparity encourages individuals to use corruption as a means to gain access to resources.
    • Mention the impact of the informal economy.
      • Fact: A significant portion of India’s economy operates informally, making it susceptible to corrupt practices.

  5. Social Factors

    • Discuss the widespread acceptance of corruption.
      • Fact: Surveys indicate that many citizens believe bribery is necessary to get things done.
    • Address the lack of awareness regarding rights.
      • Fact: Many citizens are unaware of their legal entitlements and protection mechanisms.
    • Mention inadequate whistleblowing mechanisms.
      • Fact: Fear of retaliation discourages reporting corruption.

  6. Cultural Factors

    • Explore nepotism and favoritism in appointments.
      • Fact: Caste and kinship networks often influence hiring and resource allocation.
    • Discuss social hierarchies and their impact on corruption.
      • Fact: Hierarchical structures can lead to the exploitation of lower social classes.
    • Mention bribery as a cultural norm.
      • Fact: In some communities, bribery is normalized as part of social interaction.

  7. Conclusion

    • Summarize the key points discussed.
    • Emphasize the need for comprehensive reforms in legal, political, social, and cultural spheres to improve public morality.
upsc: citizen charter transparency accountability and other aspects

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2 Answers

  1. Ayana Chopra
    Learner

    Decline of Public Morality in India: Factors Contributing to Low Integrity Index

    India’s low rank on the Transparency International’s Integrity Index highlights the challenges in maintaining high public morality. Multiple legal, political, economic, social, and cultural factors contribute to this decline.

    Legal Factors

    1. Weak Enforcement of Anti-corruption Laws: Although India has laws like the Prevention of Corruption Act (1988) and the Lokpal Act (2013), their implementation remains inadequate. For instance, delays in trials and lack of convictions reduce the deterrent effect.
    2. Judicial Delays: A backlog of cases and prolonged trials undermine accountability, allowing corruption to persist unchecked.

    Political Factors

    1. Criminalization of Politics: A significant number of politicians with criminal backgrounds hold public office, which erodes trust in governance. As of 2023, around 40% of MPs in Lok Sabha face criminal charges.
    2. Lack of Political Will: Reforms in electoral funding and transparency have been slow, allowing unethical practices like vote-buying to continue.

    Economic Factors

    1. Economic Inequality: Widening disparities exacerbate corruption, with the wealthy using influence and power to manipulate systems for personal gain.
    2. Informal Economy: A large informal sector promotes black money, bribery, and tax evasion.

    Social and Cultural Factors

    1. Patronage System: The tradition of nepotism and favoritism in public and private sectors weakens meritocracy.
    2. Cultural Acceptance of Corruption: In many cases, corruption is seen as a necessary evil to navigate bureaucratic hurdles, reducing public outrage.

    Conclusion

    India’s low standing on the Integrity Index reflects a complex interplay of legal, political, economic, and social challenges. Addressing these issues requires not only stringent enforcement of laws but also a cultural shift towards ethical governance.

  2. Team
    Best Answer
    Supreme

    Model 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:

    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 often suffer from inadequate resources and limited autonomy, hindering effective action against corruption.
    • Delays in the judicial process: The slow and overburdened judicial system leads to delays in delivering justice, allowing corrupt individuals to evade punishment .

    Political Factors

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

    Social Factors

    • Widespread acceptance of corruption: Corruption is often viewed as an acceptable practice to expedite processes, fostering a culture of tolerance .
    • Lack of awareness: Many citizens are unaware of their rights, making them vulnerable to corrupt practices by public officials .
    • Inadequate whistleblowing mechanisms: The absence of effective reporting mechanisms and fear of reprisal discourage whistleblowers from coming forward .

    Cultural Factors

    • Nepotism and favoritism: Cultural factors like kinship and caste-based networks promote nepotism in public appointments, leading to corruption .
    • Social hierarchies: Deep-rooted social hierarchies contribute to the misuse of power by those in authority, exploiting vulnerable populations .
    • Bribery as a cultural norm: In some cases, bribery is considered customary, 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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