Ombudsman, Lokpal and Lokayukta

The essentials

An ombudsman is an independent official who investigates citizens' complaints against maladministration and corruption by public authorities. The institution began in Sweden in 1809 and spread worldwide. In India, the First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966) recommended a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the states. After decades of debate, Parliament passed the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, and the first Lokpal was appointed in 2019.

Key points

• Lokpal composition: a Chairperson and up to eight members, at least half of whom must be judicial members; at least half of the members must be from SC, ST, OBC, minorities and women.
• Selection committee: includes the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India or a judge nominated by him, and an eminent jurist.
• Jurisdiction: complaints of corruption against public servants, including the Prime Minister (with specific safeguards), ministers, MPs and central government officials.
• Lokayuktas: state-level bodies; each state was required to set up one under the 2013 Act. Maharashtra was among the earliest states to create a Lokayukta, in the early 1970s.
• Sectoral ombudsmen: for example, banking and insurance ombudsman schemes handle customer complaints.
• Strengths: independent, low-cost and accessible complaint redress. Limits: dependence on government for staff and funds; delays in appointments.

Exam tips

• Remember the origin (Sweden), the recommending body (First ARC), and the Act (2013).
• Ombudsman bodies investigate and recommend; they are not ordinary courts.

Common mistakes

• Confusing the Lokpal (Centre) with the Lokayukta (state).
• Thinking the Lokpal hears ordinary civil disputes between private citizens.