India's Image Damaged with Frequent Corruption Allegations

Among the respondents who felt that Lokpal Bill can root out corruption, middle class (Sec B respondents) were significantly higher than rich section of the society (Sec A respondents). Among the markets surveyed, citizens of Bangalore were most optimistic (73 percent) and people of Kolkata were least optimistic (33 percent) about Lokpal Bill’s ability to uproot corruption.

More than seven out of ten (73 percent) people think that all politicians are corrupt. This view is significantly stronger among males than females. In Chennai majority of the respondents (94 percent) share this view, whereas in Bangalore (87 percent), Mumbai and Lucknow (76 percent) think that all politicians are corrupt.

Six out of ten (59 percent) Indians believe all bureaucrats / government servants including police are corrupt. It is interesting to note that a big majority in Chennai (91 percent) and Bangalore (80 percent) think that all bureaucrats / government servants including police are corrupt. Whereas in Mumbai and Lucknow only (53 percent) share this view.

Indian citizen have a very mixed opinion about corruption practices prevailing among corporates and businessmen. 44 percent are of the opinion that all corporates and traditional family business houses are corrupt and an equal number (44 percent) said they are not and the remaining 12 percent said they are not sure.

Among the respondents who said corporates / businessmen are not corrupt, older age group 37 to 50 respondents were significantly higher than the younger age group 22 to 36. Top three cities in terms of rating corporates/ businessmen corrupt are Chennai (64 percent), Bangalore (57 percent) and Mumbai (43 percent).

Ipsos ‘Mood of the Nation’ survey was conducted between October 25-27, 2012 among 420 men and women in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Lucknow.