Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005
Indian Polity & Governance
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Crucial for understanding citizen's rights, good governance, transparency, accountability, and the functioning of democratic institutions. It's a key instrument for administrative reforms and public participation, often linked to judicial activism and constitutional interpretation.
The Right to Information Act, 2005, is a landmark parliamentary legislation that empowers citizens to secure access to information from public authorities in India, promoting transparency and accountability in governance. It aims to operationalize the fundamental right to information, implicitly guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Facts & tables
- Purpose
- Enacted to ensure transparency and accountability in public administration.
- Definition of Public Authority
- Section 2(h) defines 'public authority' to include bodies established by the Constitution, Parliament, State Legislatures, or substantially financed/controlled by the government.
- Exclusions
- Excludes private bodies unless substantially financed or under deep and pervasive control by the government.
- Enforcement Bodies
- The Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions (SICs) are the appellate bodies for RTI matters.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Indian Polity & Governance |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Central Information Commission (CIC) | Interprets and enforces the act, acts as appellate authority |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Enacted 2005 for transparency.
- Defines 'public authority' (Sec 2(h)).
- Criteria: established by law, or substantially financed/controlled by govt.
- CIC/SICs are appellate bodies.
- Underpins Article 19(1)(a) right.
Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2021 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2021 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
Timeline
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Indian Polity & Governance
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2021
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2021
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2024
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2025
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
How has the BCCI resisted RTI scrutiny?
The RTI Act 2005 grants citizens the right to access information from public authorities, defined by specific criteria including government control or substantial financing, to foster transparency and accountability.
See also
Past papers
2018–2025 · 8 questions
In the news
How has the BCCI resisted RTI scrutiny?
The RTI Act 2005 grants citizens the right to access information from public authorities, defined by specific criteria including government control or substantial financing, to foster transparency and accountability.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements:
1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government.
2. Certain provisions in the Constitution of India give the Central Government the right to issue directions to the RBI in public interest.
3. The Governor of the RBI draws his power from the RBI Act.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. The Governor of RBI is appointed by the Central Government under the RBI Act, 1934. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), led by the Prime Minister, finalizes the selection. The tenure is typically four years, but the government has the authority to extend or terminate the term. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Constitution of India does not have any direct provision allowing the Central Government to issue directions to the RBI. However, Section 7 of the RBI Act, 1934, gives the Central Government the power to issue directions to the RBI in the public interest, but this is a statutory provision, not a constitutional one. Statement 3 is correct. The powers, functions, and responsibilities of the RBI Governor come from the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The Act defines the Governor's role, monetary policy responsibilities, and overall authority over banking regulations.
With reference to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements :
While any resolution for the removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is under consideration
1. He/She shall not preside.
2. He/She shall not have the right to speak.
3. He/She shall not be entitled to vote on the resolution in the first instance.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: Under Article 96(1), the Speaker cannot preside over the House while a resolution for their removal is active, even if they are present. Statement 2 is incorrect: Under Article 96(2), the Speaker maintains the right to speak and participate in the proceedings of the House during the consideration of the removal resolution. Statement 3 is incorrect: According to Article 96(2), the Speaker is entitled to vote only in the first instance. They do not have a "casting vote" (the vote used to break a tie/second instance) in this specific scenario.
The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises which of the following members?
1. Governor of the Constituent State
2. Chief Minister of the Constituent State
3. Three Members to be nominated by the President of India
4. The Home Minister of India
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established under the *North Eastern Council Act, 1971* to ensure the balanced and coordinated development of the North Eastern Region. After the North Eastern Council (Amendment) Act, 2002, the structure and composition of the Council were modified. As per Section 3(1) of the *NEC Act, 1971 (as amended)*, the Council shall consist of the following members: 1. The Chief Ministers of the Constituent States
2. The Governors of the Constituent States
3. Three Members to be nominated by the President of India These are the only members of the Council as defined by the Act. Further, Section 3(2) specifies that:
“The Union Home Minister shall be the ex officio Chairman of the Council, and the Minister of the Central Government in charge of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) shall be the ex officio Vice-Chairman of the Council.” Thus, while the Union Home Minister serves as the ex officio Chairman, he does not form part of the Council as a member under Section 3(1). Similarly, the Minister of DoNER is the ex officio Vice-Chairman, but not a member of the Council.
Consider the following statements
1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is Correct: The Food Safety and Standards Act, of 2006 did supersede the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, of 1954. It established a more comprehensive framework for ensuring food safety and regulating the food industry in India. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous body, not under the direct control of the Director General of Health Services. While the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare oversees FSSAI, it functions independently with its own governing board and chairperson. Therefore, the correct answer is option (a) 1 only.
With reference to India, consider the following:
I. The Inter-State Council
II. The National Security Council
III. Zonal Councils
How many of the above were established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?
Among the listed bodies, only the Inter-State Council is established by the Constitution of India. The others are based on statutory or executive provisions. ✅ I. Inter-State Council – Correct
* Established under Article 263 of the Constitution to facilitate Centre-State coordination. ❌ II. National Security Council – Incorrect
* Formed in 1998 by an executive order, not mentioned in the Constitution. ❌ III. Zonal Councils – Incorrect
* Established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, a statutory but non-constitutional body.
Show 3 more PYQs
How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?
1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by executive order of the Government.
2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct
Statement 1 is incorrect: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, passed by Parliament, making it a statutory body. Similarly, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and is also a statutory body. It plays a key role in environmental regulation in India. Statement 2 is correct: The NGT’s primary role is to ensure the expeditious disposal of environmental cases related to forest conservation, natural resource protection, and pollution control, thereby reducing the burden on higher courts. The CPCB, functioning under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), is responsible for monitoring water and air quality, implementing pollution control measures, and enforcing environmental laws to promote a cleaner environment. Thus, while both bodies deal with environmental protection, the NGT focuses on adjudication, whereas the CPCB handles regulatory and enforcement functions.
Therefore, the correct answer is option (b) 2 only.
With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements:
1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act as a Supreme Court judge by the Chief Justice of India with prior permission of the President of India.
2. A High Court in India has the power to review its own judgement as the Supreme Court does.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: Under Article 128, the Chief Justice of India may, at any time, with the previous consent of the President, request a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or a retired Judge of a High Court (who is duly qualified) to sit and act as a Judge of the Supreme Court. Statement 2 is not correct: Although there is no explicit Article in the Constitution equivalent to Article 137 (which grants review power to the SC) for High Courts, the High Courts are "Courts of Record" under Article 215. As a Court of Record, a High Court has the inherent power to review its own orders and judgments to correct any patent error or prevent a miscarriage of justice. This has been affirmed by the Supreme Court in various rulings.
With reference to India, consider the following pairs:
| Organization | Union Ministry |
|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| I. The National Automotive Board | Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
| II. The Coir Board | Ministry of Heavy Industries |
| III. The National Centre for Trade Information| Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
❌ Pair I: The National Automotive Board – Ministry of Commerce and Industry
* Incorrect. It functions under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, not Commerce and Industry. ❌ Pair II: The Coir Board – Ministry of Heavy Industries
* Incorrect. The Coir Board is under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. ❌ Pair III: National Centre for Trade Information – Ministry of MSME
* Incorrect. NCTI is linked to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not MSME.