The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 is one of India’s landmark democratic reforms, giving citizens the legal right to seek information from public authorities. Rooted in Article 19(1)(a), RTI has exposed scams, improved accountability, and strengthened participatory governance. For UPSC, the RTI Act is crucial under GS2 (Governance, Transparency, Accountability). This article explains its provisions, amendments, usage trends, challenges, importance, and way forward with exam-oriented insights. Join Telegram :Join our Telegram group to get instant alerts and study materials on current affairs and important topics: Link Right to Information (RTI) About The Right to Information Act, 2005 grants Indian citizens the legal right to seek information from public authorities. Purpose: To create a “practical regime of transparency and accountability” in governance. Based on the principle of “informed citizenry”, which is essential for participatory democracy. Derives its constitutional basis from Article 19(1)(a) – Freedom of Speech & Expression. Without access to information, free expression and informed decision-making lose meaning. RTI is considered a fundamental democratic reform, aligning with the idea that “Information is power, and secrecy breeds corruption.” Key Provisions of the RTI Act, 2005 Section 4 – Proactive Disclosure Government records must be maintained, catalogued, and made accessible suo motu. Reduces burden of individual RTI applications. Section 6 – Application for Information Any citizen can apply in writing or electronically. No reason required for seeking information. Section 7 – Time-bound Response PIO (Public Information Officer) must reply within 30 days. In cases concerning life or liberty, reply must be given within 48 hours. Section 19 – Appeals Two-tier appeal mechanism: First appeal → First Appellate Authority. Second appeal → Central/State Information Commission. Section 8 – Exemptions Information exempted if related to: National security, defence, intelligence. International relations. Cabinet papers. Personal privacy (unless larger public interest involved). RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 Gave Central Government power to decide tenure, salary, and service conditions of Information Commissioners. Raised concerns about weakening their autonomy and independence. RTI Usage Trends Steady rise in applications shows increasing citizen trust in RTI. 2022: ~7.1 lakh applications. 2023: ~8.4 lakh (+19%). 2024: ~9.6 lakh (+14%). 2025 (projected): ~1 million+ applications. Reflects greater reliance on RTI as a governance accountability tool. Key Challenges Technological Hurdles OTP delays, website downtime, and payment gateway failures for the ₹10 application fee. Access Barriers Rural citizens and digitally illiterate sections find online RTI processes difficult. Institutional Weaknesses Vacancies in Central and State Information Commissions reduce efficiency. Huge backlog of appeals and complaints. Dilution of Autonomy 2019 Amendment allows the government to control Commissioner tenure and salaries. Account Deactivation User accounts on the RTI portal deleted after 6 months of inactivity. Awareness Deficit Many citizens, especially in rural areas, are unaware of how to file RTI. Misuse Concerns Some frivolous or repetitive RTI queries burden the system. Importance & Impact of RTI Strengthens Accountability Exposes corruption, maladministration, and inefficiency. Example: RTI played a role in exposing scams like: Adarsh Housing Scam 2G Spectrum Scam Commonwealth Games irregularities Empowers Citizens Enables ordinary people to demand answers from authorities. Enhances people’s participation in governance. Improves Governance Promotes better record-keeping and digitisation of government functioning. Democratic Value Moves governance from secrecy to openness. Strengthens the “right to know” as a facet of fundamental rights. Judicial Recognition Supreme Court (Raj Narain Case, 1975): “The right to know is a fundamental right of citizens.” Way Forward Digital Transformation Develop a robust RTI portal with real-time processing. Multiple payment options (UPI, mobile wallets). Offline support for rural and non-digital users. Institutional Strengthening Fill vacancies in CIC and SICs within a fixed timeframe. Provide adequate resources and staff to Information Commissions. Capacity Building Train Public Information Officers for quicker, accurate responses. Public Awareness Conduct campaigns in schools, Panchayats, and via mass media. Promote RTI literacy in rural India. Prevent Misuse Develop filters against frivolous/repetitive RTIs. Balance transparency with national security and privacy. Integration with Digital India Link RTI with DigiLocker, Aadhaar, MyGov platforms for easy document access. Data Protection Synergy Harmonise RTI with Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 → ensures privacy while upholding transparency. Watch Video – Click Join YouTube:Subscribe to our YouTube channel for daily updates on current affairs, environment, governance, and more: Link Join WhatsApp:Join our WhatsApp group to get instant alerts and study materials on current affairs and important topics: Link Join Instagram:Follow us on Instagram for quick facts, infographics, and updates on UPSC and government exams: Link Join Facebook:Like and follow our Facebook page to stay connected with detailed analysis, live sessions, and discussions: Link Join Telegram :Join our Telegram group to get instant alerts and study materials on current affairs and important topics: Link
