Corruption remains one of the deepest-rooted challenges in India’s governance system — one that continues to erode public trust despite decades of reform. According to a recent report released by the National Crime Investigation Bureau (NCIB), India’s top 10 most corrupt government departments have been ranked based on citizen complaints, media reports, and Transparency International assessments.
The findings paint a grim picture of how bribery, favoritism, and misuse of power still plague several key administrative sectors — directly impacting millions of citizens every day.
India’s 10 Most Corrupt Departments (NCIB Report 2025)
1. Police Department
Topping the list, the police department is often accused of bribe-taking, fake FIRs, biased investigations, and illegal money collection during routine checks. Many citizens report being forced to pay for basic police assistance or case handling.
2. Revenue Department
Land registration, property mutation, and document verification have become synonymous with corruption. Bribes are often demanded for even the simplest paperwork.
3. Municipal Corporations
Local bodies such as Nagar Nigams and Municipalities are infamous for bribes in map approvals, construction permissions, and sanitation contracts. Illegal constructions thrive under their watch.
4. Electricity Department
Complaints include fake billing, tampered meter readings, and demands for money to fix connections. Consumers say officials delay services unless “extra charges” are paid.
5. Road Transport (RTO)
From fake driving licenses to fitness certificates for unsafe vehicles, corruption here affects millions. Agents openly operate as middlemen for bribe-fueled approvals.
6. Health Department
Public hospitals are mired in allegations of missing medicines, absent doctors, and referrals to private clinics for kickbacks. Even essential drugs are sometimes sold illegally.
7. Education Department
Irregularities in school admissions, transfers, and exam results continue. Reports highlight how officials and teachers exchange favors for promotions or postings.
8. Housing & Urban Development Department
Perhaps the most shocking name on the list — this department is accused of land scams, fake allotments, and bribes in construction and housing projects. Poor families often lose out due to corrupt practices.
9. Tax Departments (Income Tax & GST)
Tax evasion and under-the-table settlements are widespread. Some officers allegedly help businesses hide income in exchange for hefty bribes.
10. Forest Department
Rampant corruption enables illegal logging, wildlife smuggling, and encroachment on forest land. Despite strict laws, enforcement remains weak.
Corruption Varies Across States
The intensity of corruption changes from one state or district to another. Local political networks and middlemen often inflate bribe amounts, leaving citizens trapped in bureaucratic red tape.
A Call for Change
Experts and activists stress that India needs stricter vigilance, digital transparency, and citizen awareness to curb these malpractices.
“People must learn to say no to bribes. Only then can we build a corruption-free India,” the NCIB report concludes.
