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Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

PYQs

10

Articles

2

Momentum

30

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Understanding the role, powers, and limitations of India's primary anti-corruption and crime investigation agency is crucial for comprehending governance, accountability mechanisms, and federal relations in the context of maintaining public integrity.

The CBI is the premier investigating agency of India, functioning under the jurisdiction of the Government of India. It is involved in investigating a wide range of criminal and economic offenses, including corruption, financial fraud, and special crimes.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Establishment

Established in 1963, evolved from the Special Police Establishment (SPE) of 1941.

Legal Basis

Derives powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.

Reporting Authority

Functions under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (PMO).

Mandate

Investigates corruption, economic offenses, and serious crimes referred by Central Government or higher courts.

Jurisdiction

Investigates cases of corruption against public servants, economic crimes, and serious crimes with national or international ramifications.

Oversight

Functions under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaGovernance
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Central Bureau of InvestigationInvestigates
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and PensionsOversees
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Premier investigative agency of India.
  • Established 1963, powers from DSPE Act, 1946.
  • Reports to DoPT (PMO).
  • Investigates corruption, economic offenses, special crimes.
  • Faces challenges regarding autonomy and political interference.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — CBI is a statutory body, not a constitutional one.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details: | Sl. No. | Organisation | Function | Controlling Union M...

Indian PolityOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: | Organization | Some of its Functions | It Works Under | |--...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted out...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Indian PolityOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: | Organization | Some of its Functions | It Works Under | |--...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted out...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Indian PolityOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: | Organization | Some of its Functions | It Works Under | |--...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted out...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Indian PolityOpen question
2024Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

Indian PolityOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by Reserve Bank of India. 2. The rating agency popularly known as ICRA ...

EconomyOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

EconomyOpen question

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

EconomyOpen question

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

GovernanceIndian Polity & Governance
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Open question

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Open question

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

Open question

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

Open question

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by Reserve Bank of India. 2. The rating agency popularly known as ICRA ...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: | Organization | Some of its Functions | It Works Under | |--...

Open question

Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted out...

Open question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: | Organization | Some of its Functions | It Works Under | |--...

Open question

Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted out...

Open question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: | Organization | Some of its Functions | It Works Under | |--...

Open question

Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted out...

Open question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details: | Sl. No. | Organisation | Function | Controlling Union M...

Open question

Court allows CBI to arrest former Reliance ADAG executive Jhunjhunwala in bank fraud case

02 Jun 2026 · CBI is India's top investigative agency, probing corruption and economic crimes under DSPE Act, reporting to PMO.

Read article

CBI arrests IAS official in Haryana govt. funds misappropriation case

01 Jul 2026 · The CBI is India's top investigative agency, established in 1963 under the DSPE Act, 1946, to probe corruption, economic, and serious crimes, reporting to DoPT.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Often confused with

Inter-Agency Coordination in Anti-Corruption Investigations

Open notesOften confused with

Special Investigation Teams (SITs)

Open notesOften confused with

Accountability in Public Administration

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 10 linked questions on Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer
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