UPSC Officials Not Under Lokpal’s Jurisdiction: Lokpal of India

The Lokpal of India has held that the Secretary and Additional Secretaries of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) are not covered by its anti-corruption jurisdiction when acting solely in their UPSC functions.

Section 14 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, extends jurisdiction to Group A, B, C, and D central government officers only when they serve “in connection with the affairs of the Union.”

The Lokpal bench led by Chairperson Justice A.M. Khanwilkar found that the complaint failed to show that UPSC officials were functioning beyond their UPSC duties.

The Lokpal dismissed the matter and advised the complainant to explore appropriate legal remedies.