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Polity & Governance Cluster185 Verified Questions
Right to Information (RTI) Act Questions & Answers
The Right to Information Act of 2005 represents statutory codification of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India, as interpreted by the Supreme Court in State of UP v. Raj Narain (1975). Enacted on June 15, 2005, and entering into full force on October 12, 2005, the Act replaced the Freedom of Information Act of 2002 to promote administrative transparency and accountability. Section 4 mandates proactive suo motu disclosure of institutional records by public authorities. Section 6 entitles every citizen to submit information requests to designated Public Information Officers (PIOs), who must respond within thirty days, or within forty-eight hours when life or liberty is involved under Section 7(1). Section 8 and Section 9 delineate exemptions protecting national security, cabinet papers, and third-party commercial confidences. Chapter III establishes the Central Information Commission (CIC) as the apex statutory appellate body, headed by the Chief Information Commissioner and up to ten Information Commissioners appointed by the President upon the recommendation of a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
The Right to Information Act 2005 was enacted on June 15, 2005, and came fully into force on October 12, 2005.
The Supreme Court recognized the right to information as an integral facet of Article 19(1)(a) in State of UP v. Raj Narain (1975).
Section 4(1)(b) of the Act mandates public authorities to proactively publish seventeen categories of organizational information.
Under Section 7(1), the Public Information Officer (PIO) must provide requested information within 30 days of receiving the application.
Where information requested concerns the life or liberty of an individual, the PIO must provide it within 48 hours.
Section 8(1) lists ten specific categories of information exempt from disclosure, including national security, contempt of court, and trade secrets.
Under Section 8(2), exempt information may be disclosed if the public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm to protected interests.
Section 12 provides for the constitution of the Central Information Commission, comprising a Chief Information Commissioner and up to 10 Information Commissioners.
The CIC appointment committee consists of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister.
The RTI (Amendment) Act 2019 amended Sections 13 and 16, allowing the Central Government to prescribe tenure, salaries, and allowances for Information Commissioners.
Under Section 18, the Central Information Commission holds the powers of a civil court while inquiring into complaints under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
A first appeal against a PIO decision lies under Section 19(1) within 30 days to an officer senior in rank to the PIO.
A second appeal lies under Section 19(3) to the Central Information Commission or State Information Commission within 90 days.
Section 20 empowers the Commission to impose a penalty of 250 rupees per day up to a maximum of 25,000 rupees on errant PIOs.
Wajahat Habibullah took oath as the inaugural Chief Information Commissioner of India on October 26, 2005, following the rollout of the RTI Act.
Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, the Chief Information Commissioner is appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and which other member?
Verified Explanation
Section 12(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, provides that the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of: (i) the Prime Minister (Chairperson), (ii) the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and (iii) a Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
2ID: GK-POL-00949
hardConstitutional & Statutory Bodies of India
Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, what is the composition of the committee that recommends the appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)?
Verified Explanation
Section 12(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 provides that the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
3ID: GK-INST-00405
easyNHRC, NCW, NCSC, NCST & CIC
Under Section 12 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, which statutory body was constituted to adjudicate second appeals and complaints regarding access to information from Central public authorities?
Verified Explanation
The Central Information Commission (CIC) was constituted under Section 12 of the Right to Information Act, 2005 as the apex statutory appellate body for information requests concerning Central authorities.
4ID: GK-MDIA-00468
easyPrasar Bharati, Press Council & News Agencies
Before the enactment of the national Right to Information Act in 2005, which Indian state became the first in the country to pass a statutory sub-national Right to Information Act in 1997?
Verified Explanation
Tamil Nadu was the pioneer state in India to enact a Right to Information law—the Tamil Nadu Right to Information Act, 1997—passed in May 1997, followed shortly by Goa in 1997 and Rajasthan in 2000.
5ID: 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.
6ID: 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.
7ID: GK-INDM-01072
mediumFirst in India: Men & Pioneering Male Achievers
Who was appointed as the first Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of India following the enactment of the Right to Information Act, 2005?
Verified Explanation
Senior IAS officer Wajahat Habibullah was sworn in as India's first Chief Information Commissioner on 26 October 2005. He headed the newly established Central Information Commission (CIC) created under Section 12 of the Right to Information Act, 2005. Habibullah served in this key administrative role until October 2010.
8ID: 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.
9ID: 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.
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.