India has slipped further in the global corruption perception index released annually by corruption watchdog Transparency International.

In world rankings, India came down from 72^nd to 85^th slot in a list of 180 countries.

China, on its part, has led a group of nations which have marched ahead of India with an improved image, according to the latest survey by TI.

India's integrity score this year is 3.4, down from 3.5 in 2007, says the survey. Its score in 2006 was 3.3. Till last year, India shared the slot with China.

Transparency India Chairperson KS Tahiliani said this did not show that India had become more corrupt but that nations like China now appeared less corrupt.

He said recent images of currency notes being waved in Parliament, and similar high-profile instances of corruption in public life might have played a role in this global perception of India.

Studies showed that police, followed by politicians, were perceived be the most corrupt all over the world, he added.