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Indian Polity & Governance Cluster31 Verified Questions
Right to Information (RTI Act 2005) GK Questions & Answers
The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 operationalises the implied fundamental right to know enshrined under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, as affirmed by the Supreme Court in State of UP v. Raj Narain (1975). Replacing the Freedom of Information Act, 2002, the statute mandates public authorities to maintain records and designate Central or State Public Information Officers (PIOs). Section 7(1) requires PIOs to provide information within 30 days of application, reduced to 48 hours if the request concerns the life or liberty of an individual. Section 8 details exemptions from disclosure, covering national sovereignty, strategic state interests, judicial contempt, cabinet papers before decisions, and personal privacy, subject to a public interest override under Section 8(2). The Central Information Commission (CIC), constituted under Section 12, acts as the apex statutory appellate body. It comprises a Chief Information Commissioner and up to ten Information Commissioners appointed by the President upon the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister. The RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 empowered the Central Government to determine the tenure, salaries, and service conditions of Information Commissioners.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
The RTI Act, 2005 stems from Article 19(1)(a) and replaced the earlier Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
Public Information Officers must provide information within 30 days, or within 48 hours if life and liberty are at stake.
Section 8 lists exemptions from disclosure, which can be superseded by larger public interest under Section 8(2).
The CIC is a statutory body under Section 12, headed by a Chief Information Commissioner and up to 10 Information Commissioners.
The RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 gave the Central Government the authority to prescribe tenures and salaries of commissioners.
Showing 25 Curated Questions31 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-INST-00063
hardNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Under Section 13 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act amended in 2019, how are the term of office and salaries of the Chief Information Commissioner determined?
Verified Explanation
The RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 amended Section 13 so that the tenure, salaries, and allowances of the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners are prescribed directly by the Central Government rather than being fixed statutorily on par with Election Commissioners.
2ID: GK-INST-00413
mediumNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Who comprise the 3-member Selection Committee that recommends appointments for the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners under Section 12(3) of the RTI Act, 2005?
Verified Explanation
Section 12(3) of the RTI Act, 2005 specifies that the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of: Prime Minister (Chair), Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a nominated Union Cabinet Minister.
3ID: GK-INST-00593
mediumNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Under Section 12 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, the Central Information Commission (CIC) consists of the Chief Information Commissioner and how many Information Commissioners at most?
Verified Explanation
Section 12(2) of the RTI Act, 2005 provides that the Central Information Commission shall consist of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and such number of Central Information Commissioners, not exceeding ten, as may be deemed necessary.
4ID: GK-INST-00041
mediumNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Who served as the first Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of India following the enactment of the RTI Act in 2005?
Verified Explanation
Wajahat Habibullah, a former IAS officer, was appointed as the first Chief Information Commissioner of India on 26 October 2005.
5ID: GK-INST-00466
easyNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Which apex statutory authority was constituted in 2005 under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to decide second appeals and complaints at the central level?
Verified Explanation
The Central Information Commission (CIC) was constituted under Section 12 of the Right to Information Act, 2005 to hear second appeals and complaints regarding public records.
6ID: GK-INST-00473
mediumNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Under Section 12(2) of the RTI Act, 2005, what is the maximum number of Information Commissioners that can be appointed in the Central Information Commission (CIC) in addition to the Chief Information Commissioner?
Verified Explanation
Section 12(2) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 specifies that the Central Information Commission shall consist of the Chief Information Commissioner and such number of Central Information Commissioners, not exceeding ten, as may be deemed necessary.
7ID: GK-STUT-00231
hardState Capitals & Formation
Which Indian state was the pioneer to enact a dedicated State Right to Information Act in May 1997, preceding the Central RTI legislation?
Verified Explanation
Tamil Nadu was the first Indian state to pass an official Right to Information legislation in May 1997, followed by Goa in late 1997 and Rajasthan in 2000.
8ID: GK-INDM-00120
mediumState Facts Capitals
Which Indian State was the first to implement the "Right to Information" (RTI) at the state level in 1997 before the central act was passed?
Verified Explanation
Tamil Nadu was the first Indian state to pass a Right to Information law in May 1997, followed by Goa.
9ID: GK-INST-00020
easyNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
The Central Information Commission (CIC) was constituted in 2005 under which historic statutory enactment?
Verified Explanation
The Central Information Commission was established under Section 12 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, to act as the apex appellate authority for citizens seeking public information.
10ID: GK-INST-00126
easyNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
The Central Information Commission (CIC) is an apex statutory authority established under which landmark legislative act?
Verified Explanation
The Central Information Commission was constituted under Section 12 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 to adjudicate appeals and complaints regarding access to public records.
11ID: GK-INST-00171
hardNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Under the Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019, how are the salaries, allowances, and other terms of service of the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners fixed?
Verified Explanation
The RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 amended Sections 13 and 16 to remove parity with the Election Commission, providing that the tenure and salaries of Information Commissioners shall be as prescribed by the Central Government.
12ID: GK-INST-00265
mediumNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Under Section 12(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, who heads the Central Information Commission (CIC) along with not more than ten Information Commissioners?
Verified Explanation
Section 12(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 mandates that the Central Information Commission shall consist of the Chief Information Commissioner and such number of Central Information Commissioners, not exceeding ten, as may be deemed necessary.
13ID: GK-INST-00293
hardNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Under Section 12(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, who constitutes the high-level Selection Committee that recommends the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners to the President?
Verified Explanation
Section 12(3) of the RTI Act, 2005 specifies that the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners are appointed by the President upon the recommendation of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chair), Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister.
14ID: GK-INST-00359
hardNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Under Section 8(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, which of the following is NOT an exempt category of information from disclosure to citizens?
Verified Explanation
Section 8(1) of the RTI Act lists specific exemptions (national security, contempt of court, parliamentary privilege, commercial confidence, foreign government confidence, cabinet papers). CAG-audited public expenditure is not exempt.
15ID: GK-INST-00419
hardNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Through which significant amendment did the Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019 alter the terms of service of the Central and State Information Commissioners?
Verified Explanation
The RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 amended Sections 13 and 16, replacing the statutory 5-year fixed term and salary parity with Election Commissioners, giving the Central Government rulemaking powers to prescribe tenure and salaries.
16ID: GK-INST-00478
hardNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Under the Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019, how was the determination of salary, allowances, and tenure of the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners modified?
Verified Explanation
The RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 amended Sections 13 and 16, replacing the statutory parity with Election Commissioners and granting the Central Government the power to prescribe the terms of office, salaries, and allowances by executive rules.
17ID: GK-INST-00483
hardNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Under Section 20(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, what is the maximum financial penalty that the Central or State Information Commission can impose on a Public Information Officer (PIO) for unjustified delay or refusal of information?
Verified Explanation
Section 20(1) of the RTI Act empowers the Information Commission to impose a penalty of ₹250 each day till the application is received or information is furnished, subject to a total maximum limit of ₹25,000 on the defaulting PIO.
18ID: GK-INST-00526
easyNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
In which year was the Central Information Commission (CIC) established under the Right to Information Act?
Verified Explanation
The Central Information Commission (CIC) was constituted with effect from October 12, 2005 under Chapter III of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
19ID: GK-INST-00539
hardNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Under the Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019, how are the tenure, salaries, and allowances of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and Information Commissioners determined?
Verified Explanation
The RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 amended Sections 13 and 16 of the parent Act, replacing fixed 5-year terms and salary parity with Election Commissioners with terms, salaries, and allowances 'as may be prescribed by the Central Government'.
20ID: GK-INST-00599
hardNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Under Section 20(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, what daily penalty (up to a statutory maximum of Rs 25,000) can the Central Information Commission impose on a defaulting Public Information Officer (PIO)?
Verified Explanation
Under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act, 2005, where the Information Commission finds that a PIO has without reasonable cause refused or delayed an RTI response, it shall impose a penalty of Rs 250 each day until the application is received or information is furnished, not exceeding Rs 25,000 in total.
In the 2019 judgment 'CPIO, Supreme Court of India v. Subhash Chandra Agarwal', what status did the 5-judge Constitution Bench accord to the Office of the Chief Justice of India?
Verified Explanation
In November 2019, a Constitution Bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi ruled in 'CPIO, Supreme Court v. Subhash Chandra Agarwal' that the Office of the Chief Justice of India is a 'public authority' within the meaning of Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005, while emphasizing a balance between transparency and judicial independence.
Which provision of the Right to Information Act, 2005 allows disclosure of information despite exemptions or the Official Secrets Act, 1923, if public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm to protected interests?
Verified Explanation
Section 8(2) of the RTI Act, 2005 contains a non-obstante clause overriding the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and Section 8(1) exemptions, stating that a public authority may allow access to information if the public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm to the protected interests.
Under the proviso to Section 7(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, within how many hours must information requested by a citizen be provided by the Public Information Officer if it concerns the life or liberty of a person?
Verified Explanation
Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 mandates that where the information sought concerns the life or liberty of an individual, the Public Information Officer must provide the information within forty-eight hours of receipt of the request.
Following the enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, how was Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 amended regarding disclosure of personal information?
Verified Explanation
The DPDP Act, 2023 amended Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act to simply state that information which relates to personal information is exempt from disclosure, deleting the previous public interest qualification.
25ID: GK-INST-00345
easyNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Who was appointed as the first Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of India under the Right to Information Act, 2005 in October 2005?
Verified Explanation
Wajahat Habibullah, a senior IAS officer, was sworn in as India's first Chief Information Commissioner on 26 October 2005, heading the Central Information Commission.
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