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[Rhea Thomas]

India has a dubious distinction when it comes to corruption as indicated by Transparency International. In the Global Corruption Index, a survey of 133 nations conducted by TI (a Berlin-based anti-graft watchdog), India is ranked 72 among 180 countries.

Now find out which are India's most and least corrupt states. A survey conducted by Transparency International-India and the Centre for Media Studies in New Delhi has for the first time released the list of India's most and least corrupt states.

The survey puts India's states into four categories: Alarmingly Corrupt; Very Highly Corrupt; Highly Corrupt; and Moderately Corrupt.

Bihar

The survey says that there are four states in the 'Alarmingly Corrupt' category, led by Bihar.

Bihar is the 12th largest Indian state in terms of area and the third largest when it comes to population. Biharis are far behind other Indian in human and economic development terms, (source, Wikipedia) thus fuelling corruption and migration.

The survey is a part of efforts by Transparency International - India to reduce corruption by promoting and supporting transparent and ethical practices in the government sector.

It had randomly selected a sample of 22,728 BPL (below poverty line that is poorest) households from all across the country and they were surveyed to ascertain which were the most unhappy and extorted lot and in which state.

[Rhea Thomas]

Jammu & Kashmir

J&K is also in the 'Alarmingly Corrupt' category.

The strife-torn Indian state has been a constant battleground between Indian security forces and terrorists.

Terror strikes have reduced the once-booming tourism trade in the state to nothing but a distant memory.

Corruption is thus rife in this state, currently under President's Rule.

About the survey

The survey found that the police department in all these states tops the corruption chart, followed by others -- including the forest department, land records/registration and housing.

Electricity, banking, education, water supply and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme fell under the other corrupt services.

[Rhea Thomas]

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh, which according to the Transperancy Internation India survey is 'Alarmingly Corrupt,' has since long been a victim of nepotism and corruption.

The chief minister of the mineral-rich state is Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

More about the TI-India survey

The survey ascertained that nearly Rs 883 crore (Rs 8.83 billion) was paid as bribes in the year 2007 by BPL (below poverty line) families to avail of these public services -which include getting a ration card as well as for admissions in schools. Of the entire bribe money, Rs 214.8 crore (Rs 2.148 billion) was paid to the police.

[Rhea Thomas]

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh's economic mainstay is agriculture. Most of the state's employed people are engaged in this activity. It is one of India's major tourist hubs, especially since it houses the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra..

The state also has some large manufacturing units and is one of the top IT centres in India too.

The state is fighting a losing battle against corruption, and has been categorized in the 'Alarmingly Corrupt' bracket.

It is India's most populous state. Mayawati is the state's current chief minister.

[Rhea Thomas]

Karnataka

Karnataka is one of India's most economically progressive states, which is why the bracketing of the state among the 'Very Highly Corrupt' states comes as a surprise.

It's growth has been amongst the fastest in the country, and it has been the hub for the software sector and also for industries.

The chief minister of the state is B S Yeddyurappa.

[Rhea Thomas]

Rajasthan

One of India's most famous tourist destinations, Rajasthan's economy is most dependent on agriculture and mining. The state is in the 'Very Highly Corrupt' category.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will have to fight tooth and nail to curb the menace of rising corruption.