Right To Information Act, 2005 – Examining Key Challenges within India’s Transparency Regime

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 has been a game-changer for transparency and accountability in India. It has empowered citizens to access government records, demand answers, and expose corruption. However, its effectiveness is now under threat. Long delays in responses, increasing case backlogs, weakening of Information Commissions, and the 2019 amendments that reduced their independence have all made it harder for people to get the information they need. Many government agencies fail to proactively disclose information, forcing citizens to file RTI applications for basic details. Even more worrying, RTI activists continue to face harassment, violence, and even murder for exposing corruption.

The report highlights how grassroots movements, such as the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) and the National Campaign for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI), played a crucial role in pushing for the RTI Act. Despite its initial success, implementation challenges have grown. Bureaucratic delays, reluctance to disclose decision-making processes, and frequent violations of the Act have made it increasingly difficult for citizens to hold the government accountable.

One of the most urgent concerns is the lack of protection for RTI activists—over 80 have been killed since 2014, with no strong legal safeguards in place. The document calls for restoring the independence of Information Commissions, appointing commissioners on time, enforcing penalties for officials who violate RTI provisions, and ensuring better protection for whistleblowers. It also stresses the need for greater public awareness, especially in rural areas, where RTI remains underutilized.

In short, the RTI Act is a crucial tool for democracy, but unless the government and civil society take action to protect and strengthen it, the right to information could become an empty promise.

Keywords: Right to Information (RTI), Transparency, Information Commissions, Governance, Public Accountability, Whistleblowers, Public Authorities, RTI Activists, Grievance Redressal