UPSC Prelims 2025 Q98: Indian Polity – Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
Consider the following statements about Lokpal:
I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants
posted outside India.
II. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a Member of the Parliament or a Member of the
Legislature of any State or Union Territory, and only the Chief Justice of India, whether
incumbent or retired, has to be its Chairperson.
III. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a person of less than forty - five years of age on the
date of assuming office as the Chairperson or Member, as the case may be.
IV. Lokpal cannot inquire into the allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of
India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) III only
- (b) II and III
- (c) I and IV
- (d) None of the above statements is correct
Answer: (a) III only
Explanation
Lokpal (Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013)
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to those posted outside India | Incorrect | The Act covers public servants in and outside India |
| II. Only the Chief Justice of India, incumbent or retired, has to be its Chairperson | Incorrect | The Chairperson may be a present or former Chief Justice of India, a Supreme Court judge, or an eminent person |
| III. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be less than forty-five years of age | Correct | Minimum age is 45 years |
| IV. Lokpal cannot inquire into allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister | Incorrect | The Prime Minister is covered, with safeguards |
Key facts:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Members | Chairperson and up to eight Members; half judicial |
| Diversity | Half from SC, ST, OBC, minorities and women |
| Term | Five years or the age of 70 |
| First Chairperson | Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose (2019) |
Answer: (a) III only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Only statement III, on the minimum age of 45 years, is correct.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement II is false; the Chairperson need not be a Chief Justice of India.
- (c) Incorrect. Statements I and IV are both false.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement III is correct, so 'None' is wrong.
Key point
Lokpal Act, 2013: Chairperson plus up to eight Members; minimum age 45; covers the Prime Minister (with safeguards) and public servants in and outside India.
Remember
Lokpal: age 45, Prime Minister included.
Common mistakes
- Thinking the Prime Minister is outside the Lokpal's reach.
- Believing only a Chief Justice of India can chair it.
- Forgetting that the Act applies to public servants abroad.
Exam tip
Words like 'only' and 'cannot' make statements II and IV false.
Sources
- Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 — Sections 1, 3 and 14
- Lokpal of India — About Lokpal