THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005. ACT NO. 22 OF 2005, 15th June, 2005.
An Act to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
WHEREAS the Constitution of India has established democratic Republic;
AND WHEREAS democracy requires an informed citizenry and transparency of information which are vital to its functioning and also to contain corruption and to hold Governments and their instrumentalities accountable to the governed;
AND WHEREAS revelation of information in actual practice is likely to conflict with other public interests including efficient operations of the Governments, optimum use of limited fiscal resources and the preservation of confidentiality of sensitive information;
AND WHEREAS it is necessary to harmonise these conflicting interests while preserving the paramountcy of the democratic ideal;
Now, THEREFORE, it is expendient to provide for furnishing certain information to citizens who desire to have it.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
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| Sections | Particulars |
| 1 | Short Titles |
| Chapter I | Preliminary |
| 2 | Preliminary |
| 3 | In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires |
| Chapter II | Right to information and obligations of public authorities |
| 4 | Subject to the provisions of this Act, all citizens shall have the right to information |
| 5 | Every public authority shall, within one hundred days of the enactment of this Act |
| 6 | A person, who desires to obtain any information under this Act |
| 7 | Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen |
| Chapter III | The Central Information Commission |
| 8 | The Central Information Commission |
| 9 | The Chief Information Commissioner shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office and shall not be eligible for reappointment: |
| Chapter IV | The State Information Commission |
| 10 | The State Information Commission |
| 11 | The State Chief Information Commissioner shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office and shall not be eligible for reappointment |
| Chapter V | Powers and functions of the Information Commissions, appeal and penalties |
| 12 | Powers and functions of the Information Commissions, appeal and penalties |
| Chapter VI | Miscellaneous |
| 13 | No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or any rule made thereunder |
| 14 | The appropriate Government may, to the extent of availability of financial and other resources |
| Schedule | The First Schedule |
| The Second Schedule |