Corruption Perceptions Index Shows No Progress in Corruption Reform

Sabika Shrestha

Corruption continues to cast a long shadow over Nepal, spreading across state institutions and public life with little sign of meaningful progress. From major development projects to everyday public services, allegations of bribery, abuse of authority, and misuse of public funds remain deeply entrenched, raising serious concerns about governance.

Beyond financial losses, corruption has slowed economic growth, weakened service delivery, and eroded public trust in the state. Many citizens link rising youth frustration and increasing migration abroad to limited opportunities at home shaped by corrupt governance and elite impunity. Despite ongoing investigations by the anti-graft body, international indicators show the country’s fight against corruption has stalled.

Nearly 17 thousand complaints against corruption have been filed at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) in the current fiscal year alone. The commission has registered 94 cases in court so far. In the previous year, a total of 28 thousand 500 new complaints were filed.

Responding to concerns regarding anti-corruption efforts, the Spokesperson of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Suresh Neupane added that the CIAA has been working effectively.

“After investigating many of the complaints received, we have filed cases in the Special Court. From the fact that cases have been filed in the Special Court, we can say that the Commission has worked effectively and has moved forward by making its work evidence-based. The Commission has its fifth strategic plan, and we have been working according to that plan. Specifically, our work is curative; when we receive complaints, we investigate them and file cases in the Special Court. Similarly, we are also carrying out promotional and preventive work simultaneously.”

While the CIAA says it is actively investigating complaints and filing cases, international assessments suggest Nepal has made no significant progress in curbing corruption.

According to the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025, Nepal scored 34 out of 100 — unchanged from last year — ranking 109th out of 182 countries. 

Speaking on Nepal’s standing in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), Madan Krishna Sharma, President of Transparency International Nepal, says in this CPI score, there is no increment for Nepal, which we are always expecting and aspiring that our country becomes less corrupted year after year, but it is not happening. So the corruption level remains stagnant and constant, and it is already at a very low, so remaining at a low or not having a progress from the bottom line is itself is a is a very huge level of corruption in this country.

Public frustration into corruption among other mismanagements spilled into the streets leading to deadly Gen Z-led protests in September last year.  

Now as the country heads to snap election borne out of the Gen Z movement, the question is will Nepal be able to choose a new reformist leadership that can address all these outstanding issues.