Change set

Pick exam & year, then Go.

Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q98 (IAS/2025) Polity & Governance › Constitutional & Statutory Bodies › Lokpal and Lokayuktas Answer Verified

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?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is option A because only statement III is correct.

**Statement I is incorrect:** The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 is applicable to 'public servants' within and outside India[1], so it does apply to Indian public servants posted outside India.

**Statement II is incorrect:** While the Chairperson or a Member shall not be a member of Parliament or a member of the Legislature of any State or Union territory[2], the second part is wrong. The Chairperson can be a person who is or has been a Chief Justice of India or is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or an eminent person who fulfills the eligibility criteria[3]—it's not restricted to only the Chief Justice of India.

**Statement III is correct:** A person must not be less than forty-five years of age on the date of assuming office [5]as the Chairperson or Member[4].

**Statement IV is incorrect:** The jurisdiction of the Lokpal includes the prime minister, though if a complaint is filed against the prime minister, certain conditions will apply[6]. The Lokpal can inquire into allegations against a sitting Prime Minister, albeit with conditions.

Sources
  1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > 2009 Election and UPA Back in Power > p. 774
  2. [2] https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_26_36_00014_201401_1517807327889&orderno=3
  3. [3] https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_26_36_00014_201401_1517807327889&orderno=3
  4. [4] https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_26_36_00014_201401_1517807327889&orderno=3
  5. [5] https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_26_36_00014_201401_1517807327889&orderno=3
  6. [6] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > 2009 Election and UPA Back in Power > p. 774
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
36%
got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest preview
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following statements about Lokpal : I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian publi…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 5/10 · 5/10
You're seeing a guest preview. The Verdict and first statement analysis are open. Login with Google to unlock all tabs.

This question blends 'Standard Polity' (PM jurisdiction) with 'Statutory Fine Print' (Minimum age 45). While Laxmikanth covers the jurisdiction well, the specific eligibility criteria (age and 'only CJI') require a closer look at the Act's text or a comparative table of statutory bodies.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Does the Lokpal's jurisdiction under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 apply to public servants of India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > 2009 Election and UPA Back in Power > p. 774
Presence: 5/5
“The Act laid out the organisation, jurisdiction, and powers of the Lokpal. The jurisdiction of the Lokpal will include the prime minister. If, however, a complaint is filed against the prime minister, certain conditions will apply. The Lokpal will also have jurisdiction over ministers and MPs but not in the matter of anything said in Parliament or a vote given there. The Lokpal's jurisdiction will cover all categories of public servants. The Lokpal's own members have been included in the definition of 'public servant'. Critics have found two important shortcomings in the”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly says 'The Lokpal's jurisdiction will cover all categories of public servants.'
  • Notes inclusion of Lokpal's own members within the definition of 'public servant', reinforcing broad coverage.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 66: Lokpal and Lokayuktas > Features > p. 510
Presence: 5/5
“• I. It seeks to establish the institution of the Lokpal at the Centre and the Lokayukta at the state level thus seeks to provide a uniform vigilance and anti-corruption roadmap for the nation both at the Centre and in the states. The jurisdiction of Lokpal includes the Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament and Groups A, B, C and D officers and officials of the Central Government. for further decision. With respect to categories of employees from Group C and Group D, the CVC will proceed further in exercise of its own powers under the CVC Act subject to reporting and review by the Lokpal. • 8.”
Why this source?
  • Specifies categories covered: Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament and Groups A, B, C and D officers and officials of the Central Government.
  • Makes clear the jurisdiction extends across hierarchical groups of central government employees.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 66: Lokpal and Lokayuktas > Drawbacks > p. 511
Presence: 3/5
“The following are the drawbacks (shortcomings) of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 20134 : • 1. Lokpal cannot suo motu proceed against any public servant. • 2. Emphasis on form of complaint rather than substance. • 3. Heavy punishment for false and frivolous complaints against public servants may deter complaints being filed to Lokpal. • 4. Anonymous complaints not allowed Can't just make a complaint on plain paper and drop it in a box with supporting documents. • 5. Legal assistance to public servant against whom complaint is filed. • 6. Limitation period of 7 years to file complaints. • 7.”
Why this source?
  • Discusses a procedural limitation ('Lokpal cannot suo motu proceed against any public servant'), implying public servants are within Lokpal's remit though subject to process rules.
  • Highlights an operational constraint relevant to how jurisdiction is exercised over public servants.
How to study

This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.

Login with Google to unlock study guidance.

Micro-concepts

Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.

Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.

The Vault

Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.

Login with Google to unlock The Vault.

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

5 Cross-Linked PYQs

UPSC repeats concepts across years. Login to see how this question connects to 5 others.

Login with Google