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 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) II and III
- (c) I and IV
- (d) None of the above statements is correct
Why the answer is (a)
• Under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the Lokpal's jurisdiction covers public servants in India and also those serving outside India — statement I is wrong.
• The Chairperson must be a present or former Chief Justice of India, a present or former Supreme Court judge, or an eminent person of impeccable integrity; it is not confined to the CJI, so statement II is wrong.
• Section 3 requires the Chairperson and Members to be not less than forty-five years of age — statement III is correct.
• The Lokpal can inquire into a sitting Prime Minister, except on matters of international relations, security, public order, atomic energy and space, and only with the approval of two-thirds of the full bench in camera — so statement IV's blanket bar is wrong.
• Hence III only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) II and III
- Statement II is wrong: a Supreme Court judge or eminent person may also be Chairperson.
- (c) I and IV
- Statements I and IV are both wrong: jurisdiction extends abroad and the PM can be inquired into with safeguards.
- (d) None of the above statements is correct
- Statement III on the 45-year minimum age is correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.