Q41. According to the RTI Act, all of the following persons are included in the committee that recommends the appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner, EXCEPT:
Vigilance and Accountability: Lokpal, CVC and CIC: RAS Prelims MCQs
50 RAS Prelims MCQs on vigilance and accountability cover the ombudsman idea, the Lokpal, the Central Vigilance Commission and the Central Information Commission. The explanations give the origin, statute, term, eligibility and reporting authority of each body, which are the usual points of the exam.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 41–50 of 50 questions
Q42. Following the Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019, the term of office for the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners is:
Explanation
Originally, the RTI Act of 2005 provided a fixed five-year term for Information Commissioners.
Q43. Read the following statements regarding the removal of the Chief Information Commissioner and choose the correct option.
Statement I: The Chief Information Commissioner can be removed by the President on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity.
Statement II: The removal can only take place after the Supreme Court, on a reference made to it by the President, holds an inquiry and recommends the removal.
Statement I: The Chief Information Commissioner can be removed by the President on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity.
Statement II: The removal can only take place after the Supreme Court, on a reference made to it by the President, holds an inquiry and recommends the removal.
Explanation
The Chief Information Commissioner enjoys security of tenure but can be removed by the President on grounds of proved misbehavior or incapacity. To ensure fairness, the RTI Act requires that any such removal can only happen after the Supreme Court, upon a reference from the President, has conducted a formal inquiry and confirmed the validity of the charges.
Q44. Under the Right to Information Act, a second appeal against the decision of the First Appellate Authority lies with the Central Information Commission. What is the standard time limit within which this second appeal must be filed?
Explanation
If a citizen is dissatisfied with the decision of the First Appellate Authority within a public authority, they have the right to file a second appeal with the Central Information Commission. The RTI Act stipulates that this second appeal must be filed within ninety days from the date on which the first appeal decision was received or should have been made.
Q45. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the penalty powers of the Central Information Commission.
Explanation
The CIC has strong financial deterrent powers, including the ability to fine a Public Information Officer up to twenty-five thousand rupees at a daily rate for unjustified delays. It can also recommend disciplinary action under service rules. However, the Commission does not have the judicial power to sentence an officer to imprisonment for contempt or for failing to provide information.
Q46. Apart from deciding appeals and complaints, what is a proactive function that the Central Information Commission is mandated to perform to ensure transparency?
Explanation
One of the core functions of the Central Information Commission is to promote proactive transparency. Under the RTI Act, the Commission has the power to direct public authorities to publish certain categories of information on their own initiative (suo moto). This reduces the need for citizens to file individual requests for information that should be publicly available anyway.
Q47. A citizen files an RTI application asking for the operational details of troop deployments on the border. The PIO denies the information. Upon second appeal, the CIC upholds the PIO’s decision. Under which section of the RTI Act is this information most likely exempted?
Explanation
Section 8(1)(a) of the Right to Information Act provides an exemption for information that would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific, or economic interests of the state, or relations with foreign states. Details regarding troop deployments on borders are sensitive military information and thus clearly fall under this specific statutory exemption.
Q48. Consider the following challenges commonly faced by vigilance and accountability institutions (Lokpal, CVC, CIC) in India:
I. Over-dependence on external agencies like the CBI for investigation.
II. Huge pendency of cases and appeals leading to delays in justice.
III. Lack of adequate financial and administrative autonomy.
IV. Ambiguities in enforcement powers leading to non-compliance of orders by public authorities.
V. Absolute constitutional protection that prevents any scrutiny of their own members.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Over-dependence on external agencies like the CBI for investigation.
II. Huge pendency of cases and appeals leading to delays in justice.
III. Lack of adequate financial and administrative autonomy.
IV. Ambiguities in enforcement powers leading to non-compliance of orders by public authorities.
V. Absolute constitutional protection that prevents any scrutiny of their own members.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Accountability institutions in India face multiple hurdles, including a lack of independent investigative staff, heavy case backlogs, and limited financial autonomy. Ambiguities in their enforcement powers also make it difficult to ensure that government departments comply with their orders. However, none of these bodies possess absolute constitutional protection that would prevent any scrutiny of their own members.
Q49. High pendency of appeals is a major challenge for Information Commissions. Which of the following is an "odd one out" as it is typically NOT a valid reason for this pendency?
Explanation
Several factors contribute to the delay in resolving RTI appeals, such as vacancies in the Commission, inadequate staff, and the filing of repetitive or frivolous requests. However, there is no statutory requirement that RTI appeals must be heard by the Supreme Court before the Information Commission can act; in fact, the Commission is the final appellate body under the Act.
Q50. Identify the correct pair regarding the accountability institution and its nodal ministry for administrative purposes.
Explanation
For administrative and budgetary purposes, the Central Information Commission is linked to the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, which also acts as the nodal ministry for the CVC and CBI. The Ministry of Law and Justice handles general legal affairs, while the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for internal security, but they are not the nodal agencies for the CIC.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (a) A sitting Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice of India. |
| 42 | (c) Prescribed by the Central Government. |
| 43 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 44 | (d) 90 days from the date on which the decision should have been made or was actually received. |
| 45 | (c) The CIC has the power to sentence a Public Information Officer to imprisonment for up to one month for contempt. |
| 46 | (d) It directs public authorities to publish certain categories of information suo moto. |
| 47 | (a) Section 8(1)(a) - Information affecting sovereignty, integrity, and security of India. |
| 48 | (a) I, II, III and IV |
| 49 | (b) The statutory requirement that all appeals must be heard by the Supreme Court first. |
| 50 | (c) Central Information Commission - Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. |
Key facts from Vigilance and Accountability: Lokpal, CVC and CIC
- The idea of an ombudsman, which inspired the Lokpal, began in Sweden.
- The CVC was given statutory status by the Central Vigilance Commission Act in 2003.
- The Central Vigilance Commissioner serves four years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
- The CVC reports to the President; a vigilance angle involves demanding or accepting illegal gratification.
- A person who holds an office of profit is ineligible to be a Central Vigilance Commissioner.
- The Commissioner is chosen from civil servants or eminent persons with experience in vigilance, policy-making and administration.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Vigilance and Accountability: Lokpal, CVC and CIC?
This page has 50 practice MCQs on Vigilance and Accountability: Lokpal, CVC and CIC (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which country started the ombudsman system?
Sweden. The Swedish ombudsman, created in the early nineteenth century, became the model for institutions worldwide, including India’s Lokpal and Lokayuktas, which investigate complaints of maladministration and corruption against public servants and ministers.
What is the term of the Central Vigilance Commissioner?
Four years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier. The Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners have salaries equal to those of the UPSC Chairman and members respectively.
What is the legal status of the CVC?
It is a statutory body, not a constitutional one. The Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 gave it statutory status, and it submits its annual report to the President.