UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — HC gives Lokpal two months to decide on sanction against MP

Q1. Apart from the Chairperson, what is the maximum number of Members that the Lokpal of India can comprise under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013?

  • A. Four
  • B. Six
  • C. Eight
  • D. Ten

Q2. Under which provision of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 does the Lokpal derive its jurisdiction over a sitting Member of Parliament in a corruption complaint such as the 'cash-for-query' matter?

  • A. Section 8
  • B. Section 14
  • C. Section 20
  • D. Section 23

Q3. With reference to the regime for sanctioning prosecution of public servants for corruption, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, sanction for prosecution of a public servant was traditionally granted by the competent authority empowered to remove him, whereas the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 empowers the Lokpal itself to grant such sanction in cases within its jurisdiction. 2. Unlike the Prevention of Corruption Act framework, the Lokpal Act extends the Lokpal's jurisdiction to a Member of Parliament for anything said or any vote given by him in Parliament. 3. The Lokpal Act, 2013 requires the Lokpal to consider the comments of the public servant and his competent authority on the investigation report before granting sanction for prosecution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, sanction for prosecution of a public servant was traditionally granted by the competent authority empowered to remove him, whereas the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 empowers the Lokpal itself to grant such sanction in cases within its jurisdiction.
  2. Unlike the Prevention of Corruption Act framework, the Lokpal Act extends the Lokpal's jurisdiction to a Member of Parliament for anything said or any vote given by him in Parliament.
  3. The Lokpal Act, 2013 requires the Lokpal to consider the comments of the public servant and his competent authority on the investigation report before granting sanction for prosecution.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Who, as of 2026, holds the office of Chairperson of the Lokpal of India — the authority that the Delhi High Court directed to decide afresh, within two months, on sanction against an MP in the cash-for-query case?

  • A. Justice (Retd.) Pinaki Chandra Ghose
  • B. Justice (Retd.) Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar
  • C. Justice (Retd.) Ranjan Gogoi
  • D. Justice (Retd.) N. V. Ramana

Q5. In the context of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the expression 'sanction for prosecution' against a public servant, such as the one at issue in the cash-for-query matter, most accurately refers to:

  • A. A legislative resolution of the House of Parliament expelling the Member after an Ethics Committee report
  • B. The prior statutory approval that enables an investigating agency to file a charge sheet in a competent court against a public servant for alleged offences of corruption
  • C. Administrative clearance by the President of India permitting a Member of Parliament to take oath despite pending criminal charges
  • D. A preliminary screening order of a designated Special Court admitting a private complaint under the Prevention of Corruption Act
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