Q. 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
Correct Answer : (a) III only
UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper's Solution
Statement I: The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted outside India.
This statement is incorrect. The Lokpal’s jurisdiction extends to Indian public servants both within and outside India.
Statement 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.
This statement is incorrect. While it is true that the Chairperson or a Member shall not be a Member of Parliament or a Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory, the Chairperson of the Lokpal can be a former Chief Justice of India, a former Judge of the Supreme Court, or an eminent person with impeccable integrity and outstanding ability, having special knowledge and expertise of minimum 25 years in matters relating to anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance, law, and management. It is not exclusively limited to the Chief Justice of India.
Statement 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.
This statement is correct. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, specifies that the Chairperson or a Member shall not be a person of less than forty-five years of age on the date of assuming office.
Statement IV: Lokpal cannot inquire into the allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of India.
This statement is incorrect. The Lokpal has jurisdiction over the Prime Minister. However, there are safeguards and exceptions. The Lokpal cannot inquire into allegations of corruption against the Prime Minister relating to international relations, security, public order, atomic energy, and space. Any inquiry against the Prime Minister requires a full bench of the Lokpal and the approval of at least two-thirds of its members.
Based on the analysis, only Statement III is correct.
