The Right to Information Act, 2005

Commercial’s The Right to Information Act, 2005 – Bare Act with Short Comments (2027 Edition) is a comprehensive legal reference published by Commercial Law Publishers (India) Pvt. Ltd., covering the statutory framework governing transparency, accountability, and access to information in India. This edition presents the Right to Information Act, 2005, along with allied legislation, rules, regulations, prescribed forms, and supplementary reference materials. It incorporates the amendments referenced on the book cover, including those associated with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, making it a useful resource for understanding the legal provisions and procedures governing the right to information.

The book covers the following key legislations and reference materials:

• The Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act 22 of 2005), effective from 12 October 2005.

• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, as referenced in the edition.

• The Right to Information Rules, 2012.

• The Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005.

• The Central Information Commission (Management) Regulations, 2007.

• The Right to Information rules concerning the term of office, salaries, allowances, and service conditions of Chief Information Commissioners and Information Commissioners under the Central and State Information Commissions.

• Notifications concerning the designation of Central Assistant Public Information Officers (CAPIOs).

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Right to Information Act, 2005.

• The Official Secrets Act, 1923.

• The Central Information Commission (Appeal Procedure) Rules, 2005.

• The Lok Sabha Secretariat Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005.

• The Rajya Sabha Secretariat Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005.

• The President’s Secretariat Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2007.

• A Guide for Information Seekers under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

• The Delhi Right to Information Act, 2001, and the Delhi Right to Information Rules, 2001.

• The prescribed application form for seeking information and the appeal form under Section 19(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005.

• Lists of the Central Information Commission Secretariat, Central Information Commission, State Information Commissions, and designated Central Public Information Officers.

The Right to Information Act, 2005 provides citizens with a legal mechanism to obtain information from public authorities, subject to statutory exemptions and prescribed procedures. It establishes provisions relating to the appointment and responsibilities of Public Information Officers, submission and processing of information requests, response timelines, fees, exemptions from disclosure, appeals, complaints, and the role of Information Commissions in ensuring compliance with the law.

This edition is particularly suitable for:

• Law students and academicians studying constitutional law, administrative law, and transparency legislation.

• Candidates preparing for judicial services, civil services, and other competitive examinations.

• Advocates and legal practitioners handling RTI applications, appeals, complaints, and information-related disputes.

• Public Information Officers, Assistant Public Information Officers, and government officials responsible for implementing RTI procedures.

• Journalists, researchers, social activists, and citizens seeking to understand their rights and the process of obtaining public information.

• Administrative and compliance professionals requiring a convenient reference to RTI legislation, allied rules, and prescribed forms.

With its compilation of the principal Act, related rules and regulations, supplementary legislation, application forms, and institutional reference lists, the 2027 edition serves as a practical resource for statutory consultation, examination preparation, academic study, and professional legal practice. Its bare-act format with short comments provides a convenient way to consult the legal framework governing the right to information in India.