Source: ET
Subject: Polity
Context: Lokpal of India observed its Foundation Day on 16 January 2026, marking the day the institution legally came into force in 2014.
About Lokpal of India:
What it is?
- A statutory, independent anti-corruption ombudsman at the Union level.
- Designed as a sui generis institution to inquire into and investigate allegations of corruption against specified public functionaries, including those at the highest political and bureaucratic levels.
Established in:
- Created under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
- Came into force on 16 January 2014 through commencement of Section 3 of the Act.
Historical evolution:
- The idea of an ombudsman-type body was first proposed in 1963.
- The First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966) recommended a two-tier mechanism—Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in States.
- Multiple Lokpal Bills were introduced and lapsed between 1968 and 2011, reflecting prolonged political and parliamentary debate.
- The Act was finally passed in December 2013 and operationalised in January 2014, responding to sustained public demand for an autonomous anti-corruption authority.
Composition and members:
- Consists of a Chairperson and up to eight Members.
- Includes an equal balance of Judicial Members and Non-Judicial Members.
- Appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a statutory Selection Committee.
- Tenure is five years or up to the age of 70, whichever is earlier.
Eligibility criteria:
- Chairperson must be a former Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court.
- Judicial Members must be former Supreme Court Judges or former Chief Justices of High Courts.
- Non-Judicial Members must be persons of impeccable integrity with at least 25 years of experience in specified fields such as public administration, vigilance, law or finance.
Jurisdiction and coverage:
- Covers allegations against the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Central Government officials in Groups A, B, C and D.
- Extends to officials of PSUs, autonomous bodies, trusts and societies established or funded by the Union Government.
- Also covers certain bodies receiving foreign contributions beyond the prescribed threshold.
Key functions and powers:
- Receives complaints relating to offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
- Orders preliminary inquiries through its Inquiry Wing or other authorised agencies.
- Directs investigations, including referral to agencies such as the CBI, where a prima facie case exists.
- Exercises limited superintendence and direction over the CBI for cases referred by it.
- Possesses powers akin to a civil court for summoning, document production and examination on oath during inquiry.
- Can authorise search, seizure and provisional attachment of assets as per statutory provisions.
- Has exclusive authority to grant sanction for prosecution in cases before it, reducing procedural delays.
- May recommend departmental action, prosecution or closure, and can proceed against complainants filing false or vexatious complaints.
