The first Lokpal Bill was introduced in Parliament in:

The first Lokpal Bill was introduced in the fourth Lok Sabha in 1968 and was passed by the Lok Sabha in 1969. However, it lapsed when the Lok Sabha was dissolved, before the Rajya Sabha could pass it.

Origin of the idea:

• The idea of a Lokpal, an ombudsman to look into complaints of corruption against public servants, was discussed in the early 1960s.
• A central commission on administrative reform recommended a two-tier system: a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the states.
• The term "Lokpal" was coined in the 1960s from Sanskrit words meaning "protector of the people".

Many attempts:

• After 1968, Lokpal Bills were introduced several times, in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and 2008.
• All of them lapsed or were withdrawn, mainly because of disagreements over whether the Prime Minister and members of Parliament should be covered.

The anti-corruption movement:

• In 2011, a large movement led by Anna Hazare demanded a strong Lokpal law, called the Jan Lokpal.
• The movement put pressure on the government and Parliament.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act:

• Parliament finally passed the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act in December 2013, and it came into force in January 2014.
• The Act provides for a Lokpal at the Centre and requires states to set up Lokayuktas.

Composition of the Lokpal:

• A Chairperson and up to eight members, of whom half must be judicial members.
• At least half of the members must be from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, minorities and women.

Jurisdiction:

The Lokpal can inquire into allegations of corruption against public servants, including the Prime Minister, ministers, members of Parliament and officials, with some safeguards for the Prime Minister.

Lokayuktas in states:

Many states set up Lokayuktas even before the central law, starting with Maharashtra.

Why not the other options?

• ✗1959, 1977 and 1985 do not match the year of the first Lokpal Bill; 1977 and 1985 were later attempts.