UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Details sought on inquiry, prosecution wings of the Lokpal

Q1. Under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the term 'Inquiry Wing' of the Lokpal primarily refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A wing established under Section 11 of the Act, headed by a Director of Inquiry of at least the rank of Additional Secretary, tasked with conducting preliminary inquiry into corruption-related offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act
  • B. A specialised unit of the Central Bureau of Investigation deputed exclusively to assist the Lokpal in trap operations and asset searches
  • C. An administrative cell within the Lokpal's Secretariat responsible only for receiving, registering and forwarding citizens' complaints to the relevant Ministry
  • D. A bench of judicial members within the Lokpal that conducts the final adjudication of corruption charges against public servants

Q2. Which one of the following is the nodal department of the Government of India for administrative matters relating to the institution of the Lokpal?

  • A. Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice
  • B. Central Vigilance Commission
  • C. Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
  • D. Department of Internal Security, Ministry of Home Affairs

Q3. With reference to the inquiry and prosecution wings of the Lokpal, consider the following statements: 1. The Inquiry Wing of the Lokpal is established under Section 11 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. 2. The Director of Prosecution of the Lokpal must be an officer of at least the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India. 3. The Prosecution Wing of the Lokpal was formally constituted through an order dated June 6, 2025. 4. As of 2026, prosecution matters concerning Lokpal references are being routed through the Central Bureau of Investigation. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Inquiry Wing of the Lokpal is established under Section 11 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
  2. The Director of Prosecution of the Lokpal must be an officer of at least the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
  3. The Prosecution Wing of the Lokpal was formally constituted through an order dated June 6, 2025.
  4. As of 2026, prosecution matters concerning Lokpal references are being routed through the Central Bureau of Investigation.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q4. With reference to the institutional architecture of the Lokpal in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Inquiry Wing is required to complete its preliminary inquiry ordinarily within 60 days from the date of reference. 2. The Director of Inquiry must be an officer of at least the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India. 3. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 came into force on January 1, 2014. 4. The Prosecution Wing of the Lokpal was constituted in June 2025, more than a decade after the Act came into force. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. The Inquiry Wing is required to complete its preliminary inquiry ordinarily within 60 days from the date of reference.
  2. The Director of Inquiry must be an officer of at least the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India.
  3. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 came into force on January 1, 2014.
  4. The Prosecution Wing of the Lokpal was constituted in June 2025, more than a decade after the Act came into force.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. The 160th Report (March 2026) that formally sought details from the Government on steps taken to fully operationalise the inquiry and prosecution wings of the Lokpal was tabled by which one of the following parliamentary bodies?

  • A. Public Accounts Committee
  • B. Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs
  • C. Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice
  • D. Committee on Government Assurances
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