UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I
Question 98: Polity and Governance
Consider the following statements about Lokpal :
- IThe power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted outside India.
- IIThe 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.
- IIIThe 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.
- IVLokpal cannot inquire into the allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the Chairperson and Members must not be less than forty-five years of age on assuming office, so Statement III is correct. Statement I is wrong: the Lokpal's jurisdiction covers public servants in India and also those posted outside India. Statement II is wrong: the Chairperson may be a former Chief Justice, a former Supreme Court judge or an eminent person, not only the Chief Justice. Statement IV is wrong: the Prime Minister is within the Lokpal's jurisdiction, subject to safeguards on certain subjects.
- I. The Act also covers public servants posted outside India.
- II. The Chairperson can be a former Supreme Court judge or an eminent person, not only a Chief Justice.
- III. The minimum age is forty-five years on assuming office.
- IV. The Prime Minister is covered, with safeguards on certain subjects.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: only the age condition of forty-five years is correct.
- (b) Wrong: the Chairperson need not be a Chief Justice, so II is incorrect.
- (c) Wrong: the Lokpal covers public servants abroad, and the Prime Minister can be inquired into.
- (d) Wrong: Statement III, the age condition, is correct.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.