- Why in news
- The Lokpal of India observed its Foundation Day on 16 January 2026 at its New Delhi office, and inaugurated a new IT infrastructure and Data Centre for paperless handling of complaints.
- What it is
- The Lokpal is the national anti-corruption ombudsman created under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. It inquires into corruption allegations against public functionaries, including at the highest level. The Act also requires States to set up Lokayuktas.
- Current Chairperson
- Justice A. M. Khanwilkar is the Chairperson of the Lokpal.
- Digital upgrade
- A new IT infrastructure and Data Centre was inaugurated to digitise complaint processing.
- Composition
- The Lokpal has a Chairperson and up to eight Members, of whom at least half are judicial members.
- Appointment
- The President appoints the Chairperson and Members on the recommendation of a selection committee headed by the Prime Minister.
- Lokayuktas
- The 2013 Act requires every State to establish a Lokayukta within one year of the Act's commencement.
Don’t confuse with Lokpal vs Lokayukta: Lokpal works at the Union level. Lokayuktas are State bodies, set up under State laws as the 2013 Act requires.
Don’t confuse with Lokpal vs CVC: The Lokpal is a statutory ombudsman for corruption complaints against public functionaries. The CVC is the statutory body overseeing vigilance in central government bodies.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Gives a statutory, independent forum to inquire into corruption complaints, including against high functionaries.
- Digitisation can speed up and secure complaint handling.
Problems
- Budget constraints are limiting the Lokpal's activities, as the release notes.
- Rising complaints strain capacity and may cause pendency.
Way forward
- Provide adequate funding and staff while protecting independence.
- Strengthen State Lokayuktas and expand digital, time-bound disposal.
- 2013Mains GS2 · Q17Whether strong national Lokpal can resolve public immorality; discuss.
- 2015Mains GS4 · Q6Evaluate anti-corruption measures' effectiveness and suggest stronger strategies.
- 2025Prelims Q98Statements on Lokpal's jurisdiction, chairperson qualifications and age requirement.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lokpal was established when Section 3 came into force on 16 January 2014. Statutory bodies are only 7 of 327 Prelims questions, and this is a foundation day.
Source: PIB, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, 16 Jan, 18:18 IST · Release 282359
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.