The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 stands as a landmark in India’s democratic journey designed to make governance transparent, accountable, and corruption-resistant. It was enacted on June 15, 2005 and became fully operational later that year. The Act springs from Article 19(1)(a)’s guarantee of free speech and expression, with India’s Supreme Court recognizing RTI as a derivative fundamental right.

Under the RTI, any Indian citizen may request information from designated public authorities, which must respond within 30 days—or 48 hours if life or liberty is at stake. Public authorities are also required to proactively disclose key information for public access. A 2025 ruling by the Delhi High Court reaffirmed that personal details such as educational qualifications are protected under the category of “personal information,” and hence exempt from disclosure.

As RTI completes two decades in 2025, it remains both a democratic tool and a subject of debate highlighting the need to strike the right balance between transparency and individual privacy.