UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 49
Consider the following statements about Lokpal :
- The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted outside India.
- 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.
- 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.
- Lokpal cannot inquire into the allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A (III only)
Explanation: Only the minimum-age statement is correct. The Lokpal's jurisdiction can extend to Indian public servants serving abroad and, with statutory safeguards, to the Prime Minister. Its chair need not be solely a serving or retired CJI.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
I: False-overseas-posted Indian public servants can fall within jurisdiction.
II: False-although legislature members are ineligible, the chair may also be a former Supreme Court judge or qualifying eminent person.
III: True-minimum age is 45.
IV: False-Lokpal may investigate the PM in permitted categories, subject to exclusions and safeguards.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Correct-this matches the facts and the item-wise assessment above.
B. Incorrect-includes II despite the item-wise findings.
C. Incorrect-includes I, IV despite the item-wise findings; omits III which the answer requires.
D. Incorrect-omits III which the answer requires.