RIGHT TO

INFORMATION
2005

PRESENTED BY:

KRISH GROVER (23BC430)

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
WHAT DOES INFORMATION MEANS
OBJECTIVE
PUBLIC AUTHORITY
COVERAGE OF RTI
FEATURES OF RTI
HOW TO FILE AN RTI
HOW IS RTI HELPFUL
CONCLUSION
 INTRODUCTION

The Right to Information Act, 2005 is an

important legislation in India that empowers
citizens to seek information from public
authorities. The Act was enacted with the aim of
promoting transparency, accountability, and
openness in the functioning of government
agencies. It came into effect on October 12, 2005.
 What does
“Information” mean

‘INFORMATION’ in the Right to Information Act means:-

Any material in any form including,
Records
• Documents
• Memos
• Opinions & advices
• Press releases
• Circulars, orders & logbooks
• Contracts
• Reports, papers, samples & models,
• Data material held in any electronic form and information related to any private body
which can be assessed by public authority
 OBJECTIVES

- To empower the citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the working of

the Government, contain corruption, and make our democracy work for the people in
real sense.
- The Act is a big step towards making the citizens informed about the activities of the
Government.
- Provides a legal framework of citizens' democratic right to access to information
under the control of public authorities;
- To promote transparency and accountability in the functioning of every public
authority.
 Public Authority

Public Authority means any authority or body or institution established or

constituted;
• By or under the constitution;
• By any other law made by Parliament;
• By any other law made by State Legislature;
• By notification issued or order made by the appropriate government and includes any
i) body owned, controlled or substantially financed,
ii) non-Government organization substantially financed directly or indirectly by funds
provided by the appropriate Government.
 COVERAGE OF RTI

The Right to Information Act covers the following:-

- Covers central, state and local governments and all bodies owned, controlled or
substantially financed by the respective Governments; Section 2(h),
- Non-government organization substantially financed directly or indirectly by
funds provided by the appropriate government. Section 2 (e),
- Executive, judiciary and legislature Includes information relating to private
body which can be accessed by under any other law for the time being in force.
Section 2 (f).
 FEATURES

Key features of the Right to Information Act, 2005 include:

Right to Information
Every citizen has the right to request information from a public authority. The reque
be made in writing or through electronic means.

Applicability
The Act is applicable to the whole of India and extends to all states and
Union Territories. It covers all constitutional authorities, including the
executive, legislature, and judiciary at both the central and state
levels.
 FEATURES

Timeframe for Response

The Act mandates that public authorities must respond to requests for information within
30 days. In some cases, this period may be extended to 45 days, with a valid reason for the
extension.

Exemptions
While the Act promotes transparency, it also recognizes that certain information should be
exempt from disclosure. These exemptions include information related to national security,
personal privacy, trade secrets, and certain other sensitive areas.
 FEATURES

Appeals and Complaints:

If a person is not satisfied with the response or if the information is denied, they have the
right to appeal. The Act establishes the Central Information Commission (CIC) at the central
level and State Information Commissions (SICs) at the state level to hear appeals and
complaints.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The Act includes provisions for penalties in case public officials do not comply with the
provisions, including fines and disciplinary action.
 HOW TO FILE AN
RTI APPLICATION

STEP 1
Writing an application specifying the particulars of the
information sought.

STEP 2
Submitting the evidence of payment of application fee
along with the application.

STEP 3
Sending the application to the concerned Public Information
Officer /Assistant Public Information Officer.
 The essential requirements of an
application filed under the RTI Act are:

(a) The applicant should be a citizen of India.

(b) The application should contain the particulars
of information sought.
(c) The evidence of payment of application fee
should be enclosed.
(d) The address of the applicant should be
available for sending a reply.
 HOW RTI IS HELPFUL

EMPOWERS PROMOTES REDUCES

CITIZENS TRANSPERAMCY CORRUPTION
The RTI Act empowers Government departments The RTI Act is an effective
citizens by providing them and agencies are required to tool in the fight against
with the right to access proactively disclose certain corruption. By enabling
information held by public information to the public. citizens to access
authorities. This helps This proactive disclosure information about
individuals make informed enhances transparency and government activities,
decisions, participate more reduces the need for citizens expenditures, and decision-
actively in democratic to file formal RTI applications making processes, the Act
processes, and hold the for routine information. acts as a deterrent to corrupt
government accountable for practices and helps expose
its actions. . instances of corruption.
 HOW RTI IS HELPFUL
ENHANCES FACILITATES
ACCOUNTABILITY INFORMED DECISION
MAKING
Public officials and
government agencies are
accountable to the public.
The RTI Act ensures that
citizens can seek information
about the functioning of
these authorities, making
them more accountable for
their actions and decisions.
CHECK GOVERNMENT
ARBITRARINESS
The Act prevents arbitrary
Citizens can use information
decision-making by public
obtained through the RTI Act
authorities. Officials are
to make more informed
required to provide reasons
decisions about various
for their decisions, and
aspects of governance,
citizens can challenge
policies, and public services.
decisions that are not in the
This contributes to a more
public interest.
informed and engaged
citizenry.
.
 CONCLUSION

The Right to Information Act, 2005, is a

transformative tool that empowers citizens in India
by providing access to government information. By
fostering transparency and accountability, it
strengthens the democratic fabric. This legislation
promotes citizen engagement, combats corruption,
and ensures government responsiveness. As a vital
mechanism for open governance, the RTI Act has
become instrumental in enhancing public
participation and holding authorities accountable
for their actions, contributing significantly to the
democratic ideals of the nation.
THANK YOU
FOR BEING A WONDERFUL AUDIENCE