CBI Practice Questions
20 free CBI practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was established in 1963 by a resolution of which Ministry?
- A Ministry of Personnel
- B Ministry of Home Affairs
- C Ministry of Law and Justice
- D Ministry of Defence
Correct answer: Ministry of Home Affairs
The CBI was established in 1963 by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Later, it was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel, and now it enjoys the status of an attached office of that Ministry.
The CBI derives its powers of investigation from which specific legislation?
- A The Central Bureau of Investigation Act, 1963
- B The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946
- C The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- D The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018)
Correct answer: The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946
The CBI is not a statutory body; it derives its powers of investigation from the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946. This Act provides the legal basis for its functioning and jurisdiction.
Which committee's recommendation led to the establishment of the CBI?
- A Santhanam Committee
- B Sarkaria Commission
- C Punchhi Commission
- D Administrative Reforms Commission
Correct answer: Santhanam Committee
The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964). The committee emphasized the need for a specialized agency to handle corruption and integrity cases.
Who is the Chairman of the committee that recommends the appointment of the Director of CBI under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013?
- A The President of India
- B The Chief Justice of India
- C The Prime Minister of India
- D The Leader of the Opposition
Correct answer: The Prime Minister of India
The Director of CBI is appointed by the Central Government on the recommendation of a three-member committee consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India (or a Supreme Court judge nominated by him).
What is the minimum tenure provided to the Director of CBI by the CVC Act, 2003?
- A 1 year
- B 2 years
- C 3 years
- D 5 years
Correct answer: 2 years
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Act, 2003, provides the Director of CBI a security of tenure of not less than two years. This ensures that the head of the agency can function independently without fear of immediate arbitrary removal.
The CBI functions under the administrative control of which of the following?
- A Department of Personnel and Training
- B Ministry of Home Affairs
- C Cabinet Secretariat
- D The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
Correct answer: Department of Personnel and Training
The CBI is an attached office of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which is under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. While it has operational autonomy, its administrative and financial matters are handled by DoPT.
Which wing of the CBI is responsible for the investigation of cases of terrorism, bomb blasts, and aircraft hijacking?
- A Anti-Corruption Division
- B Economic Offences Division
- C Special Crimes Division
- D Policy and Coordination Division
Correct answer: Special Crimes Division
The Special Crimes Division of the CBI deals with cases of conventional crime such as murder, kidnapping, and acts of terrorism. However, since 2008, most terrorism-related cases are primarily handled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The CBI is the official designated nodal agency in India for liaison with which international organization?
- A FATF
- B INTERPOL
- C UNESCO
- D Amnesty International
Correct answer: INTERPOL
The CBI acts as the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL in India. It coordinates between the various law enforcement agencies in India and the international police community.
Who has the power of 'superintendence' over the CBI in relation to investigations under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988?
- A The Union Minister of Home Affairs
- B The Prime Minister
- C The Central Vigilance Commission
- D The Supreme Court
Correct answer: The Central Vigilance Commission
Under the CVC Act, the Central Vigilance Commission exercises the power of superintendence over the CBI in matters related to the investigation of offences committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act. For other cases, superintendence rests with the Central Government.
To investigate a crime in a State, the CBI must generally obtain the consent of:
- A The Governor of the State
- B The State Government
- C The High Court
- D The Director General of Police
Correct answer: The State Government
Since 'Police' is a State subject under the Seventh Schedule, the CBI requires the consent of the State Government to exercise its jurisdiction in that state. This can be 'general consent' or 'case-specific consent'.
Under which circumstances can the CBI investigate a case in a State without the State Government's consent?
- A When ordered by the Supreme Court or High Court
- B When the Prime Minister issues a special decree
- C When the victim is a Central Government employee
- D The CBI never needs consent for anti-corruption cases
Correct answer: When ordered by the Supreme Court or High Court
The Supreme Court and High Courts can order the CBI to investigate a crime anywhere in the country without the consent of the State. This is done to ensure a fair and impartial probe in sensitive or high-profile cases.
The 'Single Directive' provision, which required CBI to seek prior permission before investigating senior officers, was struck down by the Supreme Court in which case?
- A Vineet Narain vs Union of India Case
- B Subramanian Swamy v. Director, CBI
- C Vishaka Case
- D Indra Sawhney Case
Correct answer: Subramanian Swamy v. Director, CBI
In 2014, the Supreme Court struck down Section 6A of the DSPE Act (the Single Directive), which required the CBI to seek prior approval from the Central Government to conduct even a preliminary inquiry against officers of the rank of Joint Secretary and above.
Which of the following is NOT a division of the Central Bureau of Investigation?
- A Anti-Corruption Division
- B Technical Division
- C Cyber Crime Investigation Division
- D Revenue Intelligence Division
Correct answer: Revenue Intelligence Division
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is a separate agency under the Ministry of Finance. The CBI has divisions like Anti-Corruption, Economic Offences, Special Crimes, and Policy & Coordination.
The Director of CBI is also provided with the rank of:
- A Cabinet Secretary
- B Director General of Police
- C Lieutenant General
- D Secretary to the Government of India
Correct answer: Director General of Police
The Director of CBI is an IPS officer with the rank of Director General of Police. He is responsible for the administration of the organization as per the DSPE Act.
What is the motto of the Central Bureau of Investigation?
- A Satyameva Jayate
- B Industry, Impartiality, Integrity
- C Service, Selection, Success
- D Protection, Service, Honour and Duty
Correct answer: Industry, Impartiality, Integrity
The motto of the CBI is 'Industry, Impartiality, and Integrity'. It represents the core values the agency is expected to uphold during its investigations.
The CBI academy is located in which city?
- A New Delhi
- B Hyderabad
- C Ghaziabad
- D Nagpur
Correct answer: Ghaziabad
The CBI Academy is situated in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. It started functioning in 1996 and provides training to CBI officers as well as state police and public sector officials.
Which of the following statements about the CBI is correct?
- A It is a constitutional body.
- B It is a statutory body.
- C It is neither a constitutional nor a statutory body.
- D It was formally established under the Constitution of India.
Correct answer: It is neither a constitutional nor a statutory body.
The CBI is neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body because it was not created by the Constitution or an Act of Parliament (it was created by an executive resolution). However, it uses the DSPE Act for its legal powers.
The CBI can take up the investigation of a case suo motu (on its own) only in:
- A The Union Territories of India
- B Any State in India
- C Cases involving the Prime Minister
- D International Waters
Correct answer: The Union Territories of India
The CBI can suo motu take up investigation of offences only in the Union Territories. In States, it requires either the consent of the State Government or orders from the higher judiciary.
Which division of the CBI maintains the 'National Fingerprint Bureau'?
- A Anti-Corruption Division
- B Policy and Coordination Division
- C Technical Division
- D The CBI does not maintain it
Correct answer: The CBI does not maintain it
The National Fingerprint Bureau (NFPB) is actually under the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), not the CBI. The CBI has its own Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL).
In the appointment of the CBI Director, if there is no recognized Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, who is included in the committee?
- A The Speaker of Lok Sabha
- B Leader of largest Opposition Party
- C The Home Minister
- D The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Correct answer: Leader of largest Opposition Party
Following an amendment, the law specifies that if there is no recognized Leader of Opposition, the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha shall be a member of the selection committee.