Systemic Corruption In Public Procurement: A Legal And Institutional Analysis

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

With the advent of the Welfare State, administration has taken centre stage in determining the socio-economic structure of contemporary governance. The growth of state activities, including infrastructure construction, healthcare, education, and public welfare, has immensely expanded the powers entrusted to administrative governments. But this exercise of power has also resulted in its abuse and misuse, which has taken the form of maladministration and corruption.

In India, these problems have become particularly visible in the domain of public procurement, where vast sums of public money are spent through bureaucratic processes that often lack transparency and accountability. India currently ranks 85th out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), indicating deeply rooted institutional weaknesses.¹ High-profile cases such as the Commonwealth Games scam², COVID-era medical procurement fraud,³ and defense contract irregularities⁴ expo