Question 1

Consider the following statements regarding the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):
1. The CBI is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament.
2. It derives its investigative powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
3. The CBI was originally established by a resolution of the Ministry of Personnel.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Only statement 2 is correct. The CBI is not a statutory body; it was established by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs, not the Ministry of Personnel. It does, however, derive its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.

Question 2

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The establishment of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption.
Statement II: The CBI was formed by merging the Special Police Establishment, which was set up in 1941 to investigate vigilance cases.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I.. Both statements are factually correct. The Santhanam Committee did recommend the CBI's establishment, and the Special Police Establishment was merged into it. However, the merger (Statement II) is a detail of its formation, not the reason or explanation for the committee's recommendation (Statement I). The recommendation was the primary impetus for its creation.

Question 3

Consider the following statements about the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):
1. The CBI currently functions as an attached office under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
2. It provides assistance to both the Central Vigilance Commission and the Lokpal.
3. The CBI is the main agency for investigating incidents of terrorist attacks and terror funding in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect because the CBI, after being transferred from the Ministry of Home Affairs, now functions under the Ministry of Personnel. Statement 3 is incorrect because the investigation of terrorist attacks and terror funding is the primary mandate of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), not the CBI. Statement 2 is correct.

Question 4

With reference to the investigative mandates of central agencies, consider the following pairs:
1. CBI : Crimes of corruption
2. NIA : Funding of terrorism
3. CBI : Economic offences
4. NIA : Serious and organized crime other than terrorism
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only three pairs. Pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched. The CBI investigates crimes of corruption and economic offences. The NIA investigates terror-related crimes, including funding of terrorism. Pair 4 is incorrectly matched; the investigation of serious and organized crime, other than terrorism, falls under the purview of the CBI, not the NIA.

Question 5

With reference to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), consider the following statements:
1. The CBI was set up in 1963 through a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
2. The CBI is a statutory body because it derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
3. The Special Police Establishment, which looked into vigilance cases, was merged with the CBI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The CBI was indeed set up in 1963 by a Home Ministry resolution, and the Special Police Establishment was merged into it. Statement 2 is incorrect; deriving powers from an Act does not make a body statutory. A statutory body is one that is created by an Act of Parliament. The CBI was created by an executive resolution, making it a non-statutory body.

Question 6

With reference to the mission of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), consider the following activities:
1. Providing leadership and direction to police forces.
2. Acting as the nodal agency for enhancing inter-state cooperation in law enforcement.
3. Upholding human rights and protecting the environment.
4. Exclusively focusing on curbing economic and violent crimes.
How many of the above activities are part of the CBI's mission and focus areas?

Accepted Answer

Only three. The CBI's mission and focus areas include providing leadership to police forces, acting as a nodal agency for inter-state cooperation, and upholding human rights. However, its focus is not exclusive to economic and violent crimes; it also prominently includes combating corruption in public life.

Question 7

Consider the following statements regarding the functions of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):
1. The CBI is mandated to support state police organisations in national and international cooperation.
2. The CBI's role in combating organised crime is limited to national threats, not transnational ones.
3. Developing a scientific temper and a spirit of inquiry is a stated objective for the CBI.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only. Statement 2 is incorrect. The CBI's mandate explicitly includes playing a lead role in the war against both national and transnational organised crime. Statements 1 and 3 are correct as the CBI is tasked with supporting state police and developing a scientific temper as part of its vision.

Question 8

Statement I: The motto of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is 'Industry, Impartiality and Integrity'.
Statement II: The mission of the CBI, which includes upholding the Constitution of India, is derived from its motto and the need to develop professionalism and transparency.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.. Both statements are correct. Statement I accurately states the CBI's motto. Statement II correctly explains that the CBI's mission is based on its motto and other principles like professionalism. It provides the context for how the motto translates into the agency's mission.

Question 9

Consider the following focus areas of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):
1. Combating corruption in public life.
2. Helping fight cyber and high technology crime.
3. Protecting arts, antiques, and the heritage of our civilisation.
4. Creating a work environment that encourages free communication and mutual trust.
How many of the above are correctly listed as focus areas for the CBI?

Accepted Answer

All four. All four statements are correct. The CBI's focus areas explicitly include combating corruption, fighting cybercrime, protecting cultural heritage, and fostering a healthy internal work environment that encourages free communication and trust.

Question 10

Consider the following statements about the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):
1. The CBI's mission is strictly limited to investigation and prosecution and does not involve providing leadership to other police forces.
2. The CBI is designated as the nodal agency for enhancing international cooperation in law enforcement.
3. A key focus for the CBI is to uphold human rights.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect; the CBI's mission explicitly includes providing leadership and direction to police forces. Statement 2 is correct, as the CBI acts as the nodal agency for enhancing inter-state and international cooperation. Statement 3 is also correct, as upholding human rights is a stated focus area for the organization.

Question 11

With reference to the appointment of the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), consider the following statements:
1. The appointment is made by the Central Government on the recommendation of a three-member committee.
2. The committee is chaired by the Prime Minister.
3. If there is no recognized Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha becomes a member of the committee.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3. All three statements are correct. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act (2013) established a three-member committee (PM as Chairperson, LoP in Lok Sabha, and CJI or a nominated SC judge) to recommend the CBI Director's appointment. The Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Act, 2014, clarified that in the absence of a recognized LoP, the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha would be part of the committee.

Question 12

Consider the following statements regarding the superintendence and tenure related to the CBI:
1. The superintendence of the CBI for investigating offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, vests with the Central Vigilance Commission.
2. The Director of CBI has been provided security of a two-year tenure in office by the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
3. The Director of Prosecution is appointed by the Central Government on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct as the CVC Act, 2003, gives the CVC superintendence over the CBI for cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Statement 3 is also correct as the Director of Prosecution is appointed on the CVC's recommendation. Statement 2 is incorrect; the two-year security of tenure for the CBI Director was provided by the CVC Act, 2003, not the Lokpal Act, 2013. Therefore, only two statements are correct.

Question 13

Consider the following statements about the Directorate of Prosecution within the CBI:
1. It was established to conduct the prosecution of cases under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
2. The Director of Prosecution must be an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
3. The Director of Prosecution functions under the overall supervision and control of the Central Vigilance Commissioner.
4. The Director of Prosecution holds office for a fixed period of two years.
Which of the statements given above is NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

3 only. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Director of Prosecution functions under the overall supervision and control of the Director of CBI, not the Central Vigilance Commissioner. The other three statements are factually correct as per the provisions introduced by the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.

Question 14

Statement I: The Central Government appoints officers of the rank of Superintendent of Police and above in the CBI based on the recommendation of a specific committee.
Statement II: The committee for recommending the appointment of senior CBI officers is chaired by the Central Vigilance Commissioner and includes the Vigilance Commissioners, the Home Secretary, and the Secretary of the Department of Personnel.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.. Both statements are correct. Statement I accurately describes the procedure for appointing senior officers (SP and above) in the CBI. Statement II correctly details the composition of the committee that makes these recommendations, as mandated by the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. Therefore, Statement II is the correct explanation for the procedure mentioned in Statement I.

Question 15

Consider the following pairs regarding the divisions of the CBI:
1. Technical Division : One of the original six divisions from 1963
2. Economic Offences Division : One of the original six divisions from 1963
3. Directorate of Prosecution : A division existing as of 2019
4. Research Division : A division existing as of 2019
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two pairs. Pair 1 is correctly matched as the Technical Division was one of the original six divisions. Pair 3 is also correctly matched as the Directorate of Prosecution is listed as one of the seven divisions in 2019. Pair 2 is incorrect; the Economic Offences Division is a current (2019) division, not an original one. Pair 4 is incorrect; the Research Division was an original division but is not listed among the seven divisions of 2019. Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.

Question 16

Consider the following functions:
1. Investigating cases of corruption and misconduct of Central government employees.
2. Coordinating the activities of various state police forces and anti-corruption agencies.
3. Taking up any case of public importance for investigation on the request of a state government.
4. Acting as the “National Central Bureau” of Interpol in India.
How many of the functions mentioned above are performed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)?

Accepted Answer

All four. The CBI performs all the listed functions. It investigates corruption by central government employees, coordinates with state agencies and police forces, can take up cases of public importance upon a state government's request, and serves as India's national bureau for Interpol.

Question 17

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The Supreme Court struck down the legal provision that made prior sanction from the Central Government mandatory for the CBI to investigate senior bureaucrats in corruption cases.
Statement II: The Court reasoned that such a provision was violative of Article 14 as it created an unreasonable classification between different ranks of public servants facing similar allegations.
Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.. The Supreme Court, in a 2014 judgment, held Section 6A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act as invalid. The court's reasoning was that this provision, which required prior sanction to investigate officers of the rank of joint secretary and above, violated the principle of equality enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution by treating corrupt officers of different ranks unequally.

Question 18

With reference to the scope of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), consider the following statements:
1. The CBI's anti-corruption activities are normally confined to offences committed by employees of the Central Government, Union Territories, and their public sector undertakings.
2. The CBI can take up the investigation of conventional crimes like murder or rape only when directed by the Supreme Court or High Courts.
3. Investigation of cases related to fiscal and economic laws is undertaken by the CBI only at the specific request of the concerned department.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only. Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because the CBI can also investigate conventional crimes on reference from state governments, not just on court orders. Statement 3 is incorrect because such cases can be taken up either 'in consultation with' or 'at the request of' the concerned department, not solely at their request.

Question 19

Consider the following statements regarding the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):
1. It is a multidisciplinary investigation agency of the Government of India.
2. One of its functions is to maintain crime statistics and disseminate criminal information.
3. The Interpol Wing of the CBI coordinates requests for investigation-related activities originating solely from the member countries of Interpol.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only. Statements 1 and 2 are correct descriptions of the CBI's nature and functions. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Interpol Wing of the CBI coordinates requests originating from both Indian law enforcement agencies and the member countries of Interpol.

Question 20

Consider the following scenarios for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate an investigation:
1. A case of public importance within a state's jurisdiction.
2. A case involving infringement of customs and central excise laws.
3. A conventional crime like kidnapping within a state.
In
how many of the above scenarios is a request from or consultation with an external entity (like a state government or a central department) a prerequisite for the CBI to take up the investigation?

Accepted Answer

All three. All three scenarios require an external trigger. For a case of public importance in a state, a request from the state government is needed. For cases involving fiscal laws like customs, consultation with or a request from the concerned department is required. For conventional crimes like kidnapping, a reference from the state government (or a court order) is necessary. Therefore, all three situations involve a prerequisite from an external entity.

Question 21

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The Special Police Establishment (SPE) of the CBI and the state police forces hold mutually exclusive powers of investigation and prosecution.
Statement II: The role of the SPE is supplementary to that of the state police forces, with administrative arrangements in place to avoid jurisdictional conflicts.

Accepted Answer

Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.. Statement I is incorrect because the SPE and state police forces enjoy concurrent, not mutually exclusive, powers. Statement II is correct as the text explicitly states that the SPE's role is supplementary and administrative arrangements exist to avoid duplication of cases.

Question 22

With reference to the Special Police Establishment (SPE), a division of the CBI, consider the following statements:
1. The SPE derives its concurrent powers of investigation and prosecution from the Delhi Police Establishment Act, 1946.
2. The SPE is obligated to take up any case that involves a Central Government employee, even if the case is substantially concerned with state government affairs.
3. The jurisdiction of the SPE extends to cases against employees of statutory bodies financed by the Central Government.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only. Statement 2 is not correct. According to the administrative arrangements, the SPE takes up cases that are 'essentially and substantially' concerned with Central Government affairs. If a case is substantially concerned with state government affairs, the state police would handle it, even if a Central Government employee is involved.

Question 23

Consider the following scenarios regarding case investigations:
1. A case substantially concerned with a state government's affairs, which also involves a Central Government employee.
2. A case against an employee of a public undertaking established and financed by the Central Government.
3. A case essentially and substantially concerned with the affairs of the Central Government's employees.
How many of the above scenarios would typically be taken up by the Special Police Establishment (SPE)?

Accepted Answer

Only two. The SPE would typically take up scenarios 2 and 3. Scenario 1 would be taken up by the state police force, as the case is substantially concerned with state government affairs. The SPE handles cases substantially concerning Central Government affairs and those against employees of Central Government public undertakings.

Question 24

Consider the following pairs regarding the administrative arrangements for case allocation between the Special Police Establishment (SPE) and state police:
1. Case substantially concerning State Govt affairs : Primarily investigated by the SPE
2. Case substantially concerning Central Govt affairs : Primarily investigated by the State Police
3. Case against employees of a Central Govt financed statutory body : Primarily investigated by the SPE
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only one pair. Only the third pair is correctly matched. According to the administrative arrangements, cases substantially concerning state affairs are handled by state police (Pair 1 is incorrect), and cases substantially concerning central affairs are handled by the SPE (Pair 2 is incorrect). The SPE does handle cases against employees of statutory bodies financed by the Central Government (Pair 3 is correct).

Question 25

Consider the following statements regarding the jurisdiction and role of the Special Police Establishment (SPE):
1. The role of the SPE is to replace the state police forces in investigating offences under the Delhi Police Establishment Act, 1946.
2. The SPE and state police forces have concurrent powers of investigation for certain offences.
3. An administrative arrangement dictates that the SPE shall take up cases substantially concerned with Central Government affairs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect; the SPE's role is supplementary, not to replace state police. Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The text explicitly mentions that the SPE and state police have concurrent powers and that administrative arrangements assign cases substantially concerned with Central Government affairs to the SPE.

Question 26

Consider the following statements regarding the CBI Academy:
1. The CBI Academy is located in New Delhi.
2. It started functioning in the year 1996.
3. Prior to its establishment in Ghaziabad, training programmes were conducted in Mumbai.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Only the second statement is correct. The CBI Academy is located at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, not New Delhi. Before the Ghaziabad academy started in 1996, training was conducted at the CBI Training Centre in New Delhi, not Mumbai.

Question 27

With reference to the training mandate of the CBI Academy, consider the following statements:
1. The Academy's training is exclusively for officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation.
2. The Academy's mission includes training personnel from state police and vigilance organisations.
3. It conducts foundational training for directly recruited Deputy Superintendents of Police of the CBI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only. The Academy trains personnel from CBI, state police, central para-military forces, and central government undertakings, so statement 1 is incorrect. Its mission explicitly includes training state police and vigilance organisations. It also conducts courses for directly recruited DSPs, SIs, and Constables of the CBI.

Question 28

Consider the following statements regarding the training infrastructure of the CBI:
1. The CBI Academy in Ghaziabad is the sole training institution for the CBI in India.
2. Regional training centres are located in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai.
3. The CBI Academy was established to centralize all training activities previously held at various regional centres.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect because besides the main academy, there are three regional training centres. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Ghaziabad academy replaced the earlier training centre in New Delhi, and it functions alongside the regional centres, not as a replacement for them. Statement 2 is correct.

Question 29

Consider the following two statements:
Statement I: The CBI Academy is the focal point of training activities within the CBI and is responsible for the preparation of the annual training calendar.
Statement II: The vision of the CBI Academy is to train the human resources of CBI to become professional, industrious, impartial, upright and dedicated to the service of the nation.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.. Statement I correctly describes a key function of the CBI Academy. Statement II is incorrect because it describes the 'mission' of the academy, not its 'vision'. The vision of the CBI Academy is “Excellence in Training in the Fields of Crime Investigation, Prosecution and Vigilance Functioning”.

Question 30

The CBI Academy conducts training courses for
which of the following categories of personnel?
1. Officers of state police forces
2. Officers of central para-military forces
3. Officers of central government undertakings
4. Directly recruited constables of CBI
How many of the above are correct?

Accepted Answer

All four. The CBI Academy conducts two kinds of training courses. One is for officers of the CBI, state police, central para-military forces, and central government undertakings. The other is for directly recruited personnel of the CBI, including Deputy Superintendents of Police, Sub-Inspectors, and Constables. Therefore, all four categories are correct.

Question 31

With reference to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and recent judicial observations, consider the following statements:

1. The CBI derives its legal powers to investigate from a 1963 resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which also recommended its establishment.
2. The withdrawal of 'general consent' by a state under Section 6 of the DSPE Act, 1946, creates an absolute bar on the CBI from investigating any crime within that state's territory.
3. The Supreme Court's recent (2024) criticism of the Calcutta High Court's order for a CBI probe underscores the principle that such judicial transfers of investigation must be reserved for exceptional circumstances where the state police's fairness is evidently compromised.
4. The establishment of the CBI was a direct consequence of the recommendations made by the First Administrative Reforms Commission.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Only statement 3 is correct. 
1 is incorrect because while the CBI was established by a resolution, it derives its legal powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946. 
2 is incorrect because even after the withdrawal of general consent, the CBI can investigate with case-specific consent from the state, or if a High Court or the Supreme Court orders an investigation. 
3 is correct as it accurately reflects the Supreme Court's recent stance in September 2024, emphasizing judicial restraint. 
4 is incorrect because the CBI was established based on the recommendations of the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964).

Question 32

Consider the following statements regarding the legal framework for investigating corruption by public officials in India:
1. Section 6A of the DSPE Act, which required prior sanction for investigating senior bureaucrats, was struck down by the Supreme Court on the grounds that it violated Article 14.
2. The requirement for prior approval for investigation was reintroduced in a different form through Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
3. The CBI Director in 2014 supported the Supreme Court's decision to strike down the prior permission requirement, viewing it as an empowerment of the agency.
4. The 2024 Supreme Court split verdict has definitively settled the applicability of Section 17A to all cases, including those with retrospective effect.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only three. Statement 1 is correct as the static text explicitly mentions the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench held Section 6A of the DSPE Act violative of Article 14. Statement 2 is correct as the current affairs text states that in 2018, a similar provision (Section 17A) was reintroduced through an amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act. Statement 3 is correct as the static text quotes the CBI Director welcoming the 2014 court order. Statement 4 is incorrect; the 2024 verdict was a split decision, and the matter was referred to the Chief Justice of India for appropriate directions, meaning it is not definitively settled.

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