Kharge Questions RTI Act's Future Amidst Review Suggestions
Kharge criticizes government's alleged weakening of RTI Act after Economic Survey suggests re-examination.
Photo by Bud Silva
Key Facts
Kharge: Government weakening RTI Act
Economic Survey: Suggests re-examination
RTI cases pending: Over 26,000
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Transparency and accountability
Link to Constitutional provisions: Article 19(1)(a)
Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical
Visual Insights
Key RTI Statistics and Concerns (January 2026)
Highlights key statistics related to the Right to Information Act and associated concerns, as of January 2026. Includes pendency of cases and impact of recent legislation.
- RTI Cases Pending
- 26,500+
- RTI Application Disposal Rate
- 92%
- Average Time for RTI Disposal
- 32 days
High pendency indicates potential delays in accessing information, undermining the RTI Act's effectiveness. This impacts transparency and accountability.
Indicates the efficiency of public authorities in processing RTI requests. A high disposal rate is crucial for effective implementation of the RTI Act.
Measures the average time taken by public authorities to respond to RTI requests. The RTI Act mandates a 30-day response time (48 hours for matters concerning life or liberty).
More Information
Background
The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, has its roots in a long struggle for transparency and accountability in governance. Before its enactment, access to government information was limited, fostering corruption and inefficiency. The movement for RTI gained momentum in the 1990s, spearheaded by civil society organizations and activists demanding greater openness.
Landmark judgments by the Supreme Court, interpreting Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech and expression) to include the right to information, paved the way for the Act. The Act was finally passed in 2005, empowering citizens to seek information from public authorities, promoting transparency and accountability in the functioning of government. The initial drafts of the law faced resistance from within the government, highlighting the challenges in balancing transparency with concerns about national security and efficient administration.
Latest Developments
In recent years, there have been ongoing debates regarding the scope and effectiveness of the RTI Act. Concerns have been raised about the increasing number of pending RTI requests and the delays in providing information. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, has sparked discussions about its potential impact on the RTI Act, particularly concerning the disclosure of personal information.
There is a growing emphasis on leveraging technology to improve the efficiency of the RTI process, including online portals for filing requests and tracking their status. The Central Information Commission (CIC) has been actively promoting awareness about the RTI Act and conducting training programs for public information officers. The government is also exploring ways to strengthen the RTI infrastructure and address the challenges in implementing the Act effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Right to Information (RTI) Act and why is it important?
The Right to Information (RTI) Act is a law that gives citizens the power to request information from government organizations. It is important because it promotes transparency and accountability in how the government works, helping to reduce corruption and make government more efficient.
2. What are the key facts about the RTI Act that are important for the UPSC Prelims exam?
For the UPSC Prelims, remember that the RTI Act aims to promote transparency and accountability. Note the recent discussions around potential weakening of the Act and the number of pending cases (over 26,000). Also, be aware of the 2019 amendments and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and their potential impact on the RTI Act.
3. Why is the RTI Act in the news recently?
The RTI Act is in the news because Mallikarjun Kharge has criticized the government for allegedly weakening the Act. This criticism comes after the Economic Survey suggested a re-examination of the law, including potentially exempting certain confidential records from disclosure.
4. What are the concerns regarding the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, in relation to the RTI Act?
Concerns exist that the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, may dilute the public interest clause of the RTI Act. This could potentially limit the scope of information that can be accessed under the RTI, especially concerning personal data.
5. What are the pros and cons of re-examining the RTI Act, as suggested by the Economic Survey?
Pros include the potential to streamline the Act, address loopholes, and protect genuinely sensitive information. Cons include the risk of weakening transparency and accountability, potentially hindering citizens' access to crucial information and enabling corruption.
6. What are the important dates related to the RTI Act that are important for the exam?
Key dates to remember are the enactment of the RTI Act (2005 - not explicitly mentioned but implied), the 2019 amendments to the RTI Act, and the enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act in 2023. Understanding the context around these dates is crucial.
7. What are the reforms needed to strengthen the RTI Act?
Reforms could focus on reducing the pendency of RTI requests, ensuring timely responses from government bodies, and protecting Information Commissioners from undue influence. There is a need to clarify the scope of exemptions to prevent misuse and ensure greater transparency.
8. How does the debate around the RTI Act impact common citizens?
The debate impacts common citizens by influencing their ability to access information about government activities. A strong RTI Act empowers citizens to hold the government accountable, while a weakened Act can limit their ability to do so, potentially leading to corruption and inefficiency.
9. What was the historical background of the RTI Act?
The RTI Act, 2005, emerged from a long struggle for transparency and accountability in governance. Before its enactment, access to government information was limited, which fostered corruption. The movement for RTI gained momentum in the 1990s, led by civil society organizations demanding greater openness.
10. Who is Mallikarjun Kharge and why is his statement about the RTI Act important?
Mallikarjun Kharge is a key political figure who has criticized the government's approach to the RTI Act. His statement is important because it highlights concerns about the potential weakening of the Act and raises questions about the government's commitment to transparency and accountability.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005: 1. The Act mandates all public authorities to proactively disclose certain categories of information. 2. The Central Information Commission (CIC) is a constitutional body. 3. The Act applies to all states and union territories of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is CORRECT: Section 4 of the RTI Act mandates proactive disclosure of information by public authorities. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The CIC is a statutory body established under the RTI Act, not a constitutional body. Statement 3 is CORRECT: The RTI Act extends to the whole of India, including all states and union territories. Jammu and Kashmir had its own RTI Act before 2019.
2. Which of the following statements accurately describes the evolution of the Right to Information in India before the enactment of the RTI Act, 2005?
- A.The right to information was explicitly guaranteed as a fundamental right in the original Constitution of India.
- B.Prior to 2005, several states had already enacted their own RTI laws, contributing to the national legislation.
- C.The Supreme Court consistently rejected the notion that the right to information was implicit in Article 19(1)(a).
- D.There was no significant civil society movement advocating for greater access to government information before 2005.
Show Answer
Answer: B
Option B is correct. Before the RTI Act, 2005, several states like Tamil Nadu, Goa, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra and Assam had already enacted their own RTI laws. These state laws provided a foundation and momentum for the eventual enactment of the national RTI Act. Option A is incorrect because the right to information was not explicitly guaranteed as a fundamental right in the original Constitution. It was later interpreted by the Supreme Court as implicit in Article 19(1)(a). Option C is incorrect because the Supreme Court played a crucial role in recognizing the right to information as implicit in Article 19(1)(a). Option D is incorrect because there was a significant civil society movement advocating for greater access to government information before 2005.
3. Assertion (A): The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, has raised concerns about potentially diluting the public interest clause within the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Reason (R): The DPDP Act prioritizes the protection of individual personal data, which could limit the disclosure of information under the RTI Act, even when it serves a broader public interest. In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true but R is false.
- D.A is false but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 does prioritize the protection of individual personal data. This prioritization has raised concerns that it could limit the disclosure of information under the RTI Act, even when such disclosure would serve a broader public interest. The tension between data protection and transparency is a key debate surrounding the DPDP Act's impact on the RTI Act.