What is the Lokpal?

The Lokpal is India's anti-corruption ombudsman at the national level, established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. The Act was passed by Parliament on 18 December 2013 after nearly five decades of legislative attempts — the first Lokpal Bill was introduced in Parliament in 1968. The institution was demanded by the massive India Against Corruption (IAC) movement led by Anna Hazare in 2011-2012.

The Lokpal consists of a Chairperson and up to 8 members — of whom 4 are judicial members (former SC judges or HC Chief Justices) and 4 are non-judicial members (persons of impeccable integrity with at least 25 years of experience in anti-corruption policy, public administration, finance, law, or management). At least 50% of members must be from SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, and women.

The first Lokpal Chairperson was Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose (appointed 23 March 2019, term ended May 2022). The current Chairperson is Justice A.M. Khanwilkar (former SC judge, appointed February 2024). The Lokpal has jurisdiction over the Prime Minister (with safeguards), Union Ministers, MPs, and Group A-D officials of the Central Government.

Key Features / Provisions

# Feature Details
1 Statutory basis Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 (3 parts, 12 chapters, 63 sections)
2 Composition 1 Chairperson + up to 8 members (4 judicial + 4 non-judicial)
3 Reservation At least 50% from SC/ST/OBC/minorities/women
4 Selection Committee PM (chair), Speaker of Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, CJI or SC judge nominated by CJI, eminent jurist nominated by the President
5 Jurisdiction — PM PM covered, but not for matters of national security, public order, atomic energy, and space; inquiry needs approval of 2/3 of full bench; proceedings cannot be made public
6 Jurisdiction — others Union Ministers, MPs, Group A-D central government officials
7 Jurisdiction — organisations Chairpersons/members/officers of bodies established by Parliament or substantially funded by Centre; NGOs/trusts receiving foreign contribution above Rs. 10 lakh
8 Inquiry powers Can order preliminary inquiry and then investigation by any agency including CBI
9 Superintendence over CBI Lokpal has superintendence over CBI for cases referred to it
10 Special courts Act provides for establishment of special courts for trial of corruption cases
11 Asset declaration Public servants must declare assets and liabilities within 30 days of assuming office
12 Protection for whistleblowers No person shall be victimised for filing a complaint before the Lokpal

Historical Background

  • 1963 — First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) recommended creation of Lokpal (for Centre) and Lokayukta (for states)
  • 1968 — First Lokpal Bill introduced in Lok Sabha; lapsed with dissolution of House
  • 1969-2011 — Eight Lokpal Bills introduced in Parliament; all lapsed without becoming law
  • 2011, April — Anna Hazare launched indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar demanding a strong Lokpal — catalysed the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement
  • 2011, August — Hazare's fast at Ramlila Maidan; government agreed to consider a stronger Jan Lokpal Bill
  • 2011 — Joint Drafting Committee formed with government and civil society members (including Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan)
  • 2013, 18 December — Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 passed by Parliament
  • 2014, 1 January — Act came into force
  • 2019, 23 March — Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose appointed as the first Lokpal of India
  • 2022, May — Justice Ghose's term ended
  • 2024, February — Justice A.M. Khanwilkar appointed as Lokpal Chairperson; Lokpal now at full strength of 9 members

UPSC Exam Corner

Prelims: Key Facts

  • Statutory body (not constitutional) — under Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013
  • First recommended by: First ARC (1963)
  • First Bill: 1968
  • Act passed: 18 December 2013
  • Composition: 1 Chairperson + up to 8 members (4 judicial + 4 non-judicial)
  • 50% reservation: SC/ST/OBC/minorities/women
  • PM covered: Yes, with safeguards (no national security matters; 2/3 bench approval for inquiry)
  • First Chairperson: Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose (2019)
  • Current Chairperson: Justice A.M. Khanwilkar (2024)
  • Superintendence over CBI: For cases referred by Lokpal
  • Lokayukta: At state level — Act mandates states to establish Lokayuktas within 1 year

Mains: Probable Themes

  1. "The Lokpal journey from 1968 to 2013 reflects the challenges of anti-corruption legislation in India." — Trace the five-decade legislative history
  2. "Evaluate the effectiveness of the Lokpal since its operationalisation." — Discuss cases handled, institutional capacity, pendency
  3. "Should the Lokpal have the power to independently investigate the Prime Minister?" — Analyse the safeguards under Section 14
  4. "The India Against Corruption movement was a watershed moment for civil society activism in India." — Role of Anna Hazare, Jan Lokpal Bill, passage of the Act
  5. "Compare the Lokpal with international anti-corruption ombudsman models." — Sweden's Ombudsman, Hong Kong's ICAC, Singapore's CPIB

Sources: Lokpal Official Website — Act Text | India Code — Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act | Drishti IAS — Lokpal & Lokayukta | Wikipedia — Lokpal