World - India 22nd most corrupt country in the world

NEW DELHI: India has been ranked as the 22nd most corrupt nation in the world, according to Transparency International's latest corruption ratings. While Bangladesh has been ranked 10th, an improvement of three positions over last year, Pakistan has been ranked 14th among 180 countries. African nation Somalia was ranked as the world's most corrupt country in the index while Finland was rated as the least corrupt country by leading international corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI). Positioned seventh last year, Bangladesh, which is now under emergency rules, had earned the bad repute of being one of the most corruption nations for five consecutive years from 2001 under the TI index. In 2006, the country was ranked 3rd in the list of most corrupt countries. Other South Asian nations also fared poorly with Nepal securing 16th place, Maldives 17th, Sri Lanka 21st and Bhutan 36th in the index from bottom. The data used in the corruption perceptions index (CPI), were related to corruption and bribery, conflict of interest and diversion of funds, misuse of public office for private or political party gains, the government's anti-graft efforts and achievements and capacity to punish and contain punishment.