Analysing the Right to Information

Briefing
Paper

CUTS CART

1/2010

Analysing the Right to Information Act in India
‘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’, says the preamble of the Indian Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The act provides effective access to information for citizens of India, which is under the control
of the public authorities. It promotes transparency and accountability in the working of every public
authority.The Right to Information Bill, 2005 was passed by the Lok Sabha on May 11, 2005 and by the
Rajya Sabha on May 12, 2005 and received the assent of the President of India on June 15, 2005 and
came to force on October 12, 2005.
This Briefing paper analyses the highlights and the status of implementation of the RTI Act in India
and also looks at similar laws in other countries.

Introduction

International Trend

Citizens’ Access to Information (ATI) is an essential step
in ensuring transparency and accountability in
government systems and processes.When a government
is transparent, there is less chance for corruption and
more room for accountability. That’s why Freedom of
Information Acts (FOIAs) are becoming standard good
practice in the international arena. The RTI generally
understood as the ‘right to access information held by
public authorities’ is not just a necessity of the citizens;
it is a precondition to good governance. To be specific,
ATI makes democracy more vibrant and meaningful and
allows citizens to participate in the governance process
of the county. In particular, it empowers ordinary citizens,
especially those in rural areas.

The first RTI law was enacted by Sweden in 1766, largely
motivated by the parliament’s interest in access to
information held by the King.The Swedish example was
later followed by the US, which enacted its first law...