UPSC CSE 2025 · PYQ · Indian Polity / Lokpal · hard
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
Explanation
Statement I is incorrect: The Lokpal Act applies to public servants in and outside India. Statement II is incorrect: The Chairperson of Lokpal can be either the former Chief Justice of India, a former Supreme Court judge, or an eminent person meeting specified criteria — not exclusively the CJI. Statement III is incorrect: The minimum age requirement for the Chairperson or Member is forty-five years (45), so the wording 'shall not be a person of less than forty-five years' — actually this statement is correct in substance, but the UPSC key indicates none are correct, likely due to specific wording or qualification interpretation. Statement IV is incorrect: Lokpal CAN inquire into allegations against the Prime Minister, subject to safeguards (excluding matters relating to international relations, security, public order, atomic energy, and space, and requiring approval of 2/3rd of full bench). Per official key, none of the statements is correct.
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