Correct answer: (d) 1, 3 and 4
Explanation
- A
1, 2 and 3
Option (a) claims that statements 1, 2, and 3 form the correct composition of the Selection Committee. However, statement 2 regarding the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is incorrect because the statute explicitly excludes the Rajya Sabha Chairman from this panel. Therefore, this combination fails to accurately reflect the statutory members.
- B
2, 3 and 4
Option (b) asserts that statements 2, 3, and 4 represent the correct members of the committee. This option is incorrect because it includes the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha while omitting the Chief Justice of India or the nominated Supreme Court Judge. Thus, it misstates the legal composition.
- C
1, 2, 3 and 4
Option (c) states that all four listed members constitute the Selection Committee for the Lokpal. This option is incorrect because the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is not a member of the Selection Committee under the provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. Consequently, including all four statements leads to an inaccurate answer.
- D
1, 3 and 4
Option (d) correctly identifies statements 1, 3, and 4 as the valid components of the Selection Committee established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. The committee comprises the Prime Minister as chairperson, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court judge nominated by him, and an eminent jurist. Since the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is not part of this body, the exclusion of statement 2 and inclusion of 1, 3, and 4 makes this option the correct key.
Summary. Official key is (d) according to the prescribed answers for the 2024 UPPSC Prelims examination. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 mandates a specific Selection Committee for appointing the Lokpal and its members. A common confusion arises regarding the Rajya Sabha Chairman, who is often mistaken as a member due to his role in other parliamentary bodies, but the statute omits him. Statements 1, 3, and 4 correctly point to the Chief Justice or his nominee, the Lok Sabha Speaker, and the Lok Sabha Opposition Leader. Option (d) accurately captures this exact statutory requirement.