Corruption in India: Challenges, Causes, and the Road to Ethical Governance

Context:

The Rajasthan High Court recently scrapped the SI Recruitment-2021 examination due to a paper leak scam, granting bail to 23 accused individuals.
In response, RPSC member Dr. Manju Sharma resigned, citing concerns about transparency and integrity in public institutions.
This incident highlights the persistent challenge of corruption in India’s governance and recruitment systems.

Definition:

Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, violating the ethical principles of probity, transparency, and accountability.
It breaches deontological duties, undermines virtue ethics like honesty and integrity, and weakens the social contract between the state and citizens.

Petty Corruption: Small-scale bribery in routine services (licenses, certificates), reflecting erosion of everyday integrity.
Grand Corruption: Large-scale scams in recruitment, contracts, or natural resources that distort governance at the systemic level.
Collusive Corruption: Deep networks connecting politicians, bureaucrats, and businesses to perpetuate unethical practices.

Administrative Lapses: Excessive discretion without accountability and weak oversight.
Economic Factors: Inadequate salaries and rent-seeking incentives drive officials toward corrupt behavior.
Political Culture: Criminalisation of politics and patronage networks normalize corruption.
Social Norms: Acceptance of small bribes (“chai-paani”) erodes ethical standards.
Legal-Institutional Weaknesses: Delayed justice and weak whistleblower protection embolden corrupt actors.
Psychological Factors: Moral indifference and rationalization make corruption socially tolerable.

On Individuals:

Loss of Meritocracy: Honest candidates lose opportunities, weakening fairness in public life.
Ethical Dissonance: Conflicts arise between duty and self-interest.
Victimisation: Vulnerable populations are denied entitlements, reinforcing inequality.

On Society:

Trust Deficit: Corruption erodes faith in institutions and weakens the social contract.
Deepened Inequality: Benefits accrue to elites while marginalized groups are excluded.
Economic Loss: Leakage of welfare funds and reduced investment hinder development.
Democratic Weakening: Corruption delegitimises governance, fostering cynicism and apathy.

Institutional Capture: Vigilance bodies lack autonomy and face political interference.
Collusion Nexus: Entrenched alliances between politicians, bureaucrats, and businesses sustain corruption.
Whistleblower Risks: Fear of retaliation discourages reporting of corrupt practices.
Cultural Acceptance: Bribery is normalized as a “way of life.”
Technology Misuse: Digital platforms designed for transparency are exploited through leaks and proxies.

Ethical Re-orientation:

Value-based training for civil servants (Second ARC, Ethics in Governance).
Infuse constitutional morality and Gandhian trusteeship principles in public service.

Institutional Strengthening:

Administrative Reforms:

Reduce discretionary powers; implement “minimum government, maximum governance.”
Use digital platforms and blockchain technology in recruitment and contracts.

Social & Cultural Change:

Legal-Structural Measures:

Establish fast-track courts for corruption cases.
Provide robust whistleblower protection with incentives for reporting corruption.

Corruption is both an economic crime and an ethical failure of governance and society.
To uphold probity, integrity, and accountability, India must transition from compliance-based codes to value-driven governance.
A corruption-free state is essential to restore public trust and achieve constitutional justice.

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