Why in News?
The Lokpal of India celebrated its Foundation Day on 16 January, marking the day Section 3 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 came into force (2014), formally establishing the institution.

Key Facts About the Lokpal of India

1. Establishment (Historical Evolution)
   • Idea first mooted in 1963 in Parliament; inspired by the Ombudsman.
   • Recommended by 1st Administrative Reforms Commission (1966).
   • India’s ratification of UNCAC (2011) pushed the enactment of the Lokpal Act.
   • Lokpal & Lokayuktas Act, 2013 came into force on 16 Jan 2014 → formal establishment under Section 3.
   • Before 2013 Act, several states had already set up Lokayuktas, with Maharashtra (1971) being the first.
2. Composition
   • Chairperson + up to 8 Members.
   • At least 50% Judicial Members.
   • 50% reservation for SC, ST, OBC, minorities, and women.
   • Tenure: 5 years or up to 70 years, whichever earlier.
3. Appointment Mechanism
   Appointed by the President, based on recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting of:
   • Prime Minister (Chair)
   • Speaker of Lok Sabha
   • Leader of Opposition (or largest opposition party leader)*
   • Chief Justice of India or nominee
   • One eminent jurist nominated by the President
   *Inserted through the 2016 Amendment.
4. Eligibility
   • Chairperson: Serving/former CJI or Supreme Court Judge.
   • Judicial Members: Serving/former SC Judges or Chief Justices of High Courts.
   • Non-Judicial Members: Minimum 25 years’ experience + impeccable integrity in fields like law, finance, public administration, etc.
5. Jurisdiction
   Covers:
   • Prime Minister (with safeguards for national security, foreign relations, atomic energy, space, and public order).
   • Union Ministers, MPs, and all Group A–D Central Govt officials.
   • Entities receiving substantial government funding or foreign contributions.
6. Powers & Functions
   • Superintendence over CBI in cases referred to it.
   • Powers of a civil court during preliminary inquiry.
   • Can authorise search and seizure.
   • May recommend prosecution/disciplinary action.
   • Can issue guidelines to the CVC.
   • Suggests systemic reforms to reduce corruption.
7. Filing of Complaints
   • Can be filed by any person, NGO, company, trust, LLP, even foreign nationals.
   • Must relate to offences under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
   • Online or offline filing permitted under Lokpal (Complaint) Rules, 2020.
   • Limitation period: 7 years.
8. Complaint Handling & Safeguards
   • Confidentiality ensured for complainants, witnesses, and public servants.
   • Scrutiny → placed before Lokpal Bench within 15 working days.
   • Defective complaints allowed to be rectified.
   • Public servants get multiple opportunities to present their case (natural justice ensured).
9. Significance
   • Central pillar of India’s statutory anti-corruption architecture.
   • Enhances transparency, accountability, and ethical governance.
   • Strengthens public trust through independent, time-bound inquiry mechanisms.

Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 (Quick Revision)
• Mandates Lokpal (Union) + Lokayuktas (States).

• Strengthens accountability and integrity in public administration.

• 2016 Amendment: included single largest opposition party leader in Selection Committee.

• Lokayukta: State-level anti-corruption authority → appointed by Governor in consultation with State Chief Justice and Leader of Opposition.

• Tenure: 5 years / age 70; can be removed only via impeachment by State Legislature.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements: (2019)

1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air’.
2. The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument.
3. A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly.
4. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   (a) 1 and 3 only
   (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
   (c) 2 and 4 only
   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
   Ans: (c)