Key Concepts & Self-Assessment15 Key Facts
Review key Lokpal & Lokayuktas Act 2013: Anti-Corruption Ombudsman in India exam facts and rate your mastery to track revision.
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#1
The terms Lokpal and Lokayukta were coined by Dr. L.M. Singhvi in 1963 and recommended by the First ARC in 1966.
#2
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 came into force on January 16, 2014, establishing national and state ombudsman institutions.
#3
The body consists of a Chairperson and up to 8 members, appointed by the President upon the recommendation of a 5-member committee.
#4
Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose was appointed as the first Chairperson of the Lokpal in March 2019.
#5
The Lokpal has jurisdiction over the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, MPs, and public officials, with superintendence over CBI for its probes.
#6
The statutory selection committee under Section 4 comprises the Prime Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India (or nominee), and an eminent jurist.
#7
Section 3 mandates that fifty percent of Lokpal members must be judicial members, and at least fifty percent must belong to SC, ST, OBC, minority communities, or women.
#8
Under Section 14, an inquiry against the Prime Minister requires an in-camera hearing approved by a two-thirds majority of the full bench of the Lokpal.
#9
Inquiries against the Prime Minister are expressly barred if allegations relate to international relations, external security, public order, atomic energy, or space exploration.
#10
Section 20 provides for an Inquiry Wing headed by a Director of Inquiry to conduct preliminary inquiries into corruption complaints against Group A, B, C, and D public servants.
#11
Section 25 empowers the Lokpal to recommend the transfer or suspension of public servants facing corruption inquiries if their presence risks tampering with evidence.
#12
Section 35 authorises the Lokpal to provisionally attach properties acquired through corrupt practices during an ongoing inquiry before obtaining Special Court confirmation.
#13
Maharashtra was the first state in India to establish the institution of Lokayukta through the Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act of 1971.
#14
Justice A.M. Khanwilkar was appointed as the second Chairperson of the Lokpal in February 2024 following the completion of the interim tenure.
#15
Under Section 44, all public servants must submit an annual declaration of assets and liabilities, including those of spouses and dependent children, within thirty days of taking office.
Subject Specialist Commentary
Analytical perspective & practical exam advice from the Master10 academic board
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act of 2013 established an independent anti-corruption ombudsman to investigate graft against public officials. The concept was coined by L.M. Singhvi in 1963 and endorsed by the First Administrative Reforms Commission. The statute created the Lokpal nationally and mandated state Lokayuktas. It has jurisdiction over ministers, parliamentarians, and civil servants, extending to the Prime Minister with specific national security exceptions.
In UPSC Prelims and State PSC exams, questions frequently test the Lokpal appointment panel and investigative powers. Memorize the selection committee: the Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, Lok Sabha Opposition Leader, Chief Justice of India (or nominee), and an eminent jurist. A common MCQ trap involves agency oversight: when Lokpal refers cases to the CBI, it exercises superintendence over the investigation, and officers cannot be transferred without Lokpal's approval.
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