India Transparency International corruption index blow

Anti-corruption protests have gathered pace in India

India has suffered a new blow to its reputation on corruption, dropping eight places on a key annual list by a leading anti-corruption watchdog.

The Transparency International Corruption Perceptions list ranks a total of 183 nations from a best of 10 to a worst of 0.

India fell from a 3.3 ranking in 2010 to 3.1, dropping from 87th to 95th.

The Indian government has been hit by a number of corruption scandals with a major new bill before parliament.

Parliament's winter session began on 22 November with discussion of the landmark anti-corruption law a priority.

However, there has been uproar in the lower house over a number of issues and virtually no legislative work has been done.

Ombudsman

India ranks lower than China (75th) <link> <caption> on the new list</caption> <url href="http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2011/results/#CountryResults" platform="highweb"/> </link> but higher than Pakistan (134th). Nepal at 154th is the lowest ranking South Asian nation.

New Zealand is top and Somalia bottom of the list.

Almost two-thirds of the nations scored less than five, with Transparency International saying: "Corruption continues to plague too many countries around the world."

The Indian government is under pressure from anti-corruption campaigners to pass the new law to allow the setting up of a citizens' ombudsman, also known as the Jan Lokpal.

Leading anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare, who says he has the support of millions, has warned he will resume a hunger strike and revive street protests that rocked the government this year if the new law does not come into force.

Mr Hazare went on a 12-day hunger strike in August.

An alleged telecoms scam, which may have cost the country $39bn (£23bn), is only one of a number of scandals besetting the government.