Published: 14 October 2025Governance
RTI Act Completes 20 Years Amid Concerns of Declining Effectiveness
The Right to Information Act, 2005, marked its 20th anniversary in October 2025, with activists and experts warning of its declining effectiveness. Over 2.5 crore RTI applications have been filed since 2005, yet chronic vacancies at the Central Information Commission (CIC) have created massive backlogs — Telangana alone faces an estimated 29-year pendency.
Record RTI filings of 17.5 lakh in 2023-24 contrast with the highest-ever rejection rates (67,615 applications). Only 1.2% of penalty actions have been enforced against non-compliant officials. Critics warn that the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023, further restricts RTI scope through blanket 'personal information' exemptions, potentially undermining the transparency law's original purpose.
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionMedium
Which Article provides for facilities for mother-tongue instruction at the primary stage in India?
Explanation · Correct answer AArticle 350A provides that every State and local authority should endeavour to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage for children belonging to linguistic minority groups. It is therefore the relevant constitutional provision, while Article 351 concerns development of Hindi and Article 343 concerns the official language of the Union.
Frequently asked questions
How many RTI applications have been filed since the RTI Act was passed in 2005?
Over **2.5 crore RTI applications** have been filed since the Right to Information Act was enacted in **2005**. The Act completed its **20th anniversary in October 2025**, but activists warn of its declining effectiveness due to CIC backlogs and high rejection rates.
What is the pendency problem facing India's Central Information Commission (CIC)?
Chronic vacancies at the **Central Information Commission (CIC)** have created massive backlogs — **Telangana alone faces an estimated 29-year pendency**. Record RTI filings of **17.5 lakh in 2023-24** contrast with the highest-ever rejection rate of **67,615 applications**.
What is the rejection rate for RTI applications in India?
RTI applications saw the **highest-ever rejection rate of 67,615 applications** in 2023-24 even as record **17.5 lakh RTI filings** were made. Only **1.2% of penalty actions** were taken against officials who wrongfully denied information.
When did the RTI Act 2005 complete 20 years?
The **Right to Information Act, 2005** completed its **20th anniversary in October 2025**. Despite over 2.5 crore applications filed over two decades, the Act faces concerns about effectiveness due to CIC vacancies, pendency, and high rejection rates.
What percentage of penalty actions were taken for wrongful RTI denials?
Only **1.2% of penalty actions** were taken against officials who wrongfully denied RTI information in 2023-24. This low enforcement rate is one of the key concerns raised about the **declining effectiveness of the RTI Act** as it completes 20 years.
