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As India’s Right to Information (RTI) Act marks its 20th anniversary on October 12, 2025, it stands as a cornerstone of democratic accountability.

Enacted in 2005, the law has empowered millions of citizens to seek transparency from public authorities, uncovering scandals and promoting good governance.

However, recent reports highlight mounting backlogs, defunct commissions, and legislative amendments that threaten the core purpose of the organization.

Milestones And Impact

The RTI Act has been hailed as a “significant gift to the new generation,” strengthening democracy by exposing corruption and ensuring public officials remain answerable.

Over the past two decades, it has facilitated over 10 crore applications, leading to revelations in areas such as public procurement, environmental violations, and welfare schemes.

Activists from movements like the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Rajasthan’s Beawar have celebrated their role in grassroots empowerment, turning information into a tool for social justice.

In recent years, RTI queries have consistently delivered timely insights.

For instance, a 2025 response revealed that the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) does not maintain centralized records of bus accidents, despite over 2,500 incidents reported in older data, highlighting gaps in public safety oversight.

Alarming Backlogs And Operational Lapses

Despite its successes, the RTI framework is plagued by inefficiencies.

As of June 30, 2025, over 4.13 lakh appeals and complaints remain pending across 27 information commissions.

An independent study reveals that 18 commissions, including the Central Information Commission (CIC), are facing delays exceeding one year.

Key issues include:

Defunct Commissions: Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh are completely non-functional.
Leadership Vacancies: The CIC operates without a chief and has eight of its 10 commissioner posts vacant; Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh also lack a chief.
Extreme Delays: Telangana tops the list with a projected 29-year wait for new appeals, followed by Tripura (23 years) and Chhattisgarh (11 years).
Understaffing: Several states, such as Karnataka and Maharashtra, operate with only two commissioners each.
Reporting Failures: 69% of commissions have not published their 2023-24 annual reports, violating Section 25 of the Act.

These lapses result in over 2.41 lakh new cases registered in the past year, with only 1.82 lakh disposed of, creating a vicious cycle of frustration for applicants.

Legislative Changes Threatening RTI’s Efficacy

Critics argue the NDA government has “systematically corroded” the RTI Act.

The 2023 Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) amends Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, exempting all personal information from disclosure, even if it pertains to public interest or corruption.

This change, coupled with hefty penalties up to Rs 250 crore for unauthorized data sharing, could silence whistleblowers and journalists.

The amendment removes a clause equating citizens’ information rights to those of parliamentarians, potentially shielding officials from scrutiny.

Despite protests from civil society, the government has proceeded, raising fears that RTI is becoming an “empty vessel.”

Calls For Reform And Future Outlook

To revive RTI’s potency, experts recommend urgent reforms: filling vacancies promptly, enhancing digital portals (which have faced outages, as noted in recent complaints), and imposing stricter penalties for non-compliance.

The CIC’s repeated leadership gaps, which have occurred seven times in 11 years, underscore the need for independent appointments.

Original analysis reveals a paradox: While RTI has democratized information, its weakening reflects broader trends in data privacy versus transparency.

In a digital era, balancing these is crucial; without it, corruption could thrive unchecked.

However, resilient citizen movements promise to keep the spirit alive, evolving RTI beyond legal constraints.

As India progresses, revitalizing the RTI Act is not just an administrative matter; it is essential for trustworthy governance.

With timely interventions, this Rs 10 “writ petition” can reclaim its role as a bulwark against opacity.