ConstitutionalAct No. 22 of 2005In Force

The Right to Information Act, 2005

Confers on every citizen the right to request information from public authorities, promoting transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority. The Act established Central and State Information Commissions as quasi-judicial appellate bodies. The 2019 amendment changed the tenure and service conditions of Information Commissioners, prompting controversy about independence.

Sections

Ministry

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Last Amended

2019-07-25

Key Provisions

→Right to information: copies, inspection, certified samples

→Obligation of public authority to maintain records and suo motu disclosure

→Public Information Officers: designation and duties

→Time limit: 30 days (48 hours for life and liberty matters)

→Exemptions: national security, cabinet papers, personal information, commercial confidence

→First appeal to senior officer; second appeal to Information Commission

→Penalty for non-compliance: up to ₹250/day, maximum ₹25,000

→Proactive disclosure under S.4 — mandatory online publishing

Related Practice Areas

regulatory-compliance constitutional-law

RTIright to informationtransparencypublic authorityCICSPIO

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Indian government legislation is in the public domain under S.52(1)(q) of the Copyright Act, 1957. This reference is for educational purposes. Laws are amended frequently — verify the current text on the e-Gazette of India before relying on it for legal proceedings.