Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI): Ranking, Methodology and Significance

Category: Governance / International Reports

UPSC Notes

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is published annually by Transparency International. It ranks countries and territories according to perceived levels of corruption in their public sectors, drawing on assessments by experts and businesspeople.

How the index works

  • Scores range from 0 to 100.

  • Zero indicates a perception of very high public-sector corruption.

  • One hundred indicates a perception of a very clean public sector.

  • The index relies on multiple independent data sources.

  • It measures perceptions of public-sector corruption, not every instance of corruption or private-sector wrongdoing.

The 2025 CPI, released on 10 February 2026, covers 182 countries and territories. Its reported global average score was 42.

Key Pointers for UPSC

  • Publisher: Transparency International.

  • First published: 1995.

  • Indicator: Perceived public-sector corruption.

  • Scale: 0–100.

  • CPI scores and ranks can change each year; always use the relevant edition for examination questions.

  • The CPI is different from the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators and other governance assessments.