The Lokpal is the national anti-corruption ombudsman under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. Its field is central public servants, including the Prime Minister, with exclusions. A Lokayukta is a state ombudsman created under a state law, with varying power over ministers, legislators, and state employees. States had Lokayuktas earlier, Odisha in 1970 and Uttar Pradesh in 1975. The Anna Hazare movement pushed the central Act. The law is not the same in every state.
Difference between the Lokpal and the Lokayukta
| Feature | Lokpal | Lokayukta |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | National ombudsman for corruption at the Centre | State ombudsman for corruption in that state |
| Law | Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 | A separate Act in each state |
| Who | Chairperson is a former Chief Justice of India, a former Supreme Court judge, or an eminent jurist; Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose was the first, in 2019 | Often a retired High Court judge; appointments follow each state's timeline |
| Scope | Prime Minister with exclusions for security, defence, foreign affairs, atomic energy, and space; judiciary and armed forces are out | Ministers, legislators, and state employees as the state law provides; judiciary is excluded in most states |
| Inquiry | Can use CBI officers on deputation and refer cases for investigation | Some states have their own police wing; Karnataka is the historical example |
| Term | 5 years or until the age of 70 | Varies; often 5 years under the major state laws |
At a glance
Jurisdiction
Central government, central public sector enterprises, and certain NGOs
State government and local bodies
Legal basis
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, a central law
State Acts, for example the Karnataka Lokayukta Act
PM coverage
Yes, except security, foreign affairs, atomic energy, and space, with safeguards
Varies; some states cover the Chief Minister
Uniformity
One national law
No uniform law; the design is state by state
Example
Complaint against a Union Minister vs Karnataka MLA
A whistleblower alleges that a Union minister for coal took a bribe. The complaint can go to the Lokpal, which may order a preliminary inquiry or refer the matter to the CBI. A parallel complaint against a Karnataka minister for public works goes to the Karnataka Lokayukta. That office, under Justice Santosh Hegde, raided officials in the 1980s and 1990s. The moral purpose is the same. The jurisdiction is not.
What this means for the exam
The Lokpal covers the Centre. A Lokayukta covers a state, and each state law is different.
Lokpal
The 2013 Act created one national body. It can inquire into allegations against central public servants, including the Prime Minister, but not into the Prime Minister's functions relating to national security, foreign affairs, atomic energy, and space. The judiciary and the armed forces are outside its jurisdiction. It may hold a preliminary inquiry and it may use CBI officers on deputation. Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose became the first Lokpal in 2019, after years without an appointment. The chairperson is drawn from former Chief Justices of India, former Supreme Court judges, or eminent jurists. The term is 5 years or age 70.
The Lokpal did not replace the CVC. The CVC continues to handle vigilance administration and the pre-investigation sanction role. The Lokpal handles corruption inquiry at a higher level, with its own inquiry arrangements. Asset-declaration rules for public servants sit in the same framework. Anna Hazare's movement is the political background of the Act, not a substitute for the exclusions written into it.
Lokayukta
A Lokayukta is not established by copying the central Act into every state. The 2013 law required states to pass their own Lokayukta laws within 365 days. The content of those laws differs. Odisha had a Lokayukta in 1970 and Uttar Pradesh in 1975, so the state idea is older than the national Act. Karnataka, under Justice Santosh Hegde, is the strong historical model, with raids in the 1980s and 1990s and prosecution through special courts. Maharashtra is cited as a different, often weaker, design. A weak Act produces a body with little power.
Coverage of the Chief Minister varies. The judiciary is excluded in most states. The chair is often a retired High Court judge, and the term is often 5 years. A complaint against a state minister or a state legislator belongs here, not with the Lokpal. Students who treat every Lokayukta as identical will miss the exam point: jurisdiction and teeth depend on the state statute.
Key takeaway
The Lokpal is the national ombudsman under the 2013 Act. A Lokayukta is a state body, and its powers depend on that state's law.
Difference between the Lokpal and the Lokayukta FAQs
What is the Lokpal?
The Lokpal is the national anti-corruption ombudsman under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. It inquires into corruption by central public servants, including the Prime Minister, with stated exclusions.
What is a Lokayukta?
A Lokayukta is a state-level anti-corruption ombudsman created by that state's own law. Powers differ. Karnataka and Maharashtra are the usual contrasting examples.
What is the main difference between the Lokpal and a Lokayukta?
The Lokpal covers the Union under one central Act. A Lokayukta covers a state under that state's Act. The Centre is not the same jurisdiction as the states, and the state laws are not uniform.
Does the Lokpal have jurisdiction over every activity of the Prime Minister, including national security?
No. The Prime Minister is covered, with exclusions for security, defence, foreign affairs, atomic energy, and space.
Is the Lokayukta established under the same central Act as the Lokpal in every state?
No. States enact their own Lokayukta laws. Those laws are not identical to the central Act.
Can the Lokpal refer cases to the CBI?
Yes. The 2013 Act lets the Lokpal use CBI officers on deputation and refer cases for investigation.
PYQ linkage
Lokpal can inquire into allegations of corruption against: