Over 70 per cent of Indians in urban areas find the armed forces the most trustworthy profession, while a majority of them are skeptical about politicians, according to a new survey.

Scientists and teachers bagged the second and third places respectively in terms of trustworthiness in professions in India, showed the study by market research firm Ipsos.

At least 59 per cent urban Indians rate politicians as the most untrustworthy profession, followed by government ministers (52 per cent) and advertising executives (41 per cent), said the survey titled "Global Trust in Professions".

"Armed forces are perceived to be a dedicated force, who are defined by values of sacrifice, commitment, discipline, etc.," said Country Service Line Group Leader, Public Affairs and Corporate Reputation, Ipsos India, Parijat Chakraborty.

He added that despite their efforts at cleaning up the status quo, politicians had yet not made headway in winning people’s trust.

For the study, a global trustworthiness index for each country was calculated, by taking the sum score of trustworthiness for all professions and subtracting the sum score of untrustworthiness of all professions.

Interestingly, on the global trustworthiness index, India has bagged the second spot, after China, said the study.

Globally, people perceive scientists (60 per cent), doctors (56 per cent) and teachers (52 per cent) most trustworthy. Politicians are again regarded as the most untrustworthy bunch internationally, with 67 per cent having such an opinion of them.

(With inputs from IANS)