Question map
The office of Lokpal and Lokayukta in India is based on which one of the following ?
Explanation
The office of Lokpal and Lokayukta in India is primarily based on the institution of the Ombudsman in Scandinavian countries [1]. The First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) of India (1966-1970) specifically recommended the establishment of these two authorities for the redressal of citizens' grievances, modeling them after the Scandinavian Ombudsman and the Parliamentary Commissioner for investigation in New Zealand [1]. The concept of the Ombudsman originated in Sweden, a Scandinavian state, in 1809 to ensure administrative accountability to the legislature [t1][t2]. While the UK has a similar 'Parliamentary Commissioner', the Indian ARC's foundational recommendation explicitly cited the Scandinavian pattern as the primary template for the Lokpal and Lokayukta framework to combat corruption and maladministration [1][t3]. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act of 2013 eventually formalized this institutional framework at both the central and state levels [c3][t3].
Sources
- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 66: Lokpal and Lokayuktas > LOKPAL > p. 509