UPSC SO-Steno Archives

1. According to which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005, ‘in

According to which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005, ‘information’ means ‘any material in any form’ ?

Section 2(a)

Section 2(c)

Section 2(d)

Section 2(f)

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The correct answer is D) Section 2(f). Section 2 of the RTI Act provides definitions of various terms used in the Act.

Section 2(f) defines “information” as “any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force”. This comprehensive definition covers a wide range of recorded material.

Section 2 contains definitions relevant to the Act, such as Section 2(a) defining “appropriate Government”, Section 2(c) defining “Central Information Commission”, and Section 2(d) defining “Central Public Information Officer”. Understanding these definitions is fundamental to interpreting the Act.

2. Which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005 provides that a p

Which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005 provides that a person, who desires to obtain any information under the Act, shall make a request in writing or through electronic means in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area in which the application is being made ?

Section 6(1)

Section 8(1)

Section 10(1)

Section 12(1)

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The correct answer is A) Section 6(1). Section 6 of the RTI Act outlines the procedure for obtaining information.

Section 6(1) states that “A person, who desires to obtain any information under this Act, shall make a request in writing or through electronic means in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area in which the application is being made, accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed”. This sub-section precisely details the permissible modes and languages for submitting an RTI application.

Section 8(1) lists exemptions from disclosure. Section 10(1) deals with severability of information. Section 12(1) deals with the constitution of the Central Information Commission.

3. According to which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005, if

According to which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005, if an application is received by a public authority seeking an information which is held by another public authority or which is more closely connected with the subject matter relating to another public authority, the public authority receiving the application should transfer the application to the concerned public authority?

Sub-section (3) of Section 6

Sub-section (4) of Section 5

Sub-section (5) of Section 4

Sub-section (6) of Section 3

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The correct answer is A) Sub-section (3) of Section 6. Section 6 of the RTI Act deals with the making of requests for information.

Section 6(3) explicitly states that “Where an application is made to a public authority requesting for an information, — (i) which is held by another public authority; or (ii) the subject matter of which is more closely connected with the functions of another public authority, the public authority, to which such application is made, shall transfer the application or such part of it as may be appropriate to that other public authority and inform the applicant immediately about such transfer”.

The transfer of application under Section 6(3) must be made as soon as practicable, but in no case later than five days from the date of receipt of the application. This provision ensures that a request is not rejected merely because it was addressed to the wrong public authority, placing the onus of directing it correctly on the receiving authority.

4. Consider the following statements regarding the monitoring of RTI appl

Consider the following statements regarding the monitoring of RTI applications and appeals:
1. Annual reports as prescribed by the CIC.
2. A quarterly report regarding disposal and receipts including CPIO-wise analysis of disposal.
3. A bi-monthly report of all RTI requests received and disposed off during the period with a comparative picture.
Which of the above statements are correct?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3. Monitoring RTI implementation involves multiple levels of reporting, both statutory and administrative.

Statement 1 is correct as Section 25 of the RTI Act mandates the Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions to prepare annual reports on the implementation of the Act, and public authorities contribute information for these reports often in formats prescribed by the Commissions. Statements 2 and 3 describe common internal monitoring mechanisms within public authorities, requiring periodic reports (like quarterly or bi-monthly) on the receipt and disposal of applications and appeals, sometimes with specific analysis like CPIO-wise performance, to ensure timely compliance and provide data for the annual reports. These are standard administrative requirements for effective monitoring.

Effective monitoring is crucial for successful implementation of the RTI Act. While the Act mandates annual reporting by the Commissions, various administrative guidelines issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) or the respective state governments often prescribe more frequent internal reporting mechanisms to track progress, identify bottlenecks, and ensure timely disposal of requests and appeals.

5. Which of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005 provide that a public

Which of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005 provide that a public information officer may seek the assistance of any other officer for proper discharge of his/her duties?

Sub-sections (3) and (4) of Section 4

Sub-sections (4) and (5) of Section 5

Sub-sections (5) and (6) of Section 6

Sub-sections (6) and (7) of Section 7

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The correct answer is B) Sub-sections (4) and (5) of Section 5. Section 5 of the RTI Act, 2005 deals with the designation of Public Information Officers.

Section 5(4) states that “The Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, may seek the assistance of any other officer, as he or she considers necessary, for the proper discharge of his or her duties.” Section 5(5) further clarifies that “Any officer, whose assistance has been sought under sub-section (4), shall render all assistance to the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, seeking his or her assistance and for the purpose of contravention of the provisions of this Act, such other officer shall be treated as a Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be.”

Section 4 deals with the obligations of public authorities regarding proactive disclosure. Section 6 deals with the request for information. Section 7 deals with the disposal of requests.

6. Consider the following statements regarding the functions of RTI cell:

Consider the following statements regarding the functions of RTI cell:
1. The cell will be a single reference point to receive applications, appeals, complaints and decisions of Central Information Commission.
2. The cell will ensure uploading of all applications and appeals received by it on the RTI-MIS.
3. The cell will ensure uploading of all complaints and decisions of CIC on the DMIS (computerised diary system).
Which of the above statements are correct?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3. All three statements describe typical and advisable functions of an RTI cell within a public authority for efficient management of RTI-related work.

While the RTI Act does not explicitly mandate the creation of an “RTI cell”, it is a common administrative practice for public authorities to establish a dedicated section or designate officers to handle RTI applications, appeals, and related correspondence. Such a cell acts as a central point for receiving and distributing requests, tracking their disposal, managing appeals and complaints, and often utilizes management information systems (like RTI-MIS) and diary systems (like DMIS) for record-keeping and monitoring as per administrative guidelines.

Statement 1 promotes efficiency and avoids confusion by centralizing the receipt point. Statement 2 aligns with the digital record-keeping and monitoring initiatives often implemented by governments (e.g., the online RTI portal). Statement 3 is also consistent with the need to track all incoming and outgoing RTI-related communication, including decisions from the Central Information Commission. Therefore, all three are valid functions of such a cell.

7. Which one of the following Sections of RTI Act, 2005 enables the Gover

Which one of the following Sections of RTI Act, 2005 enables the Government to prescribe application fee for supply of information?

Section 6(1)

Section 8(1)

Section 10(1)

Section 12(1)

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The correct answer is A) Section 6(1). Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 states the manner of making a request for information and mentions that the request should be “accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed”. This section provides the basis for requiring an application fee, which the appropriate Government is then empowered to prescribe through rules made under Section 27.

Section 6(1) is the specific provision that mentions the requirement of a prescribed fee for submitting an RTI application. While Section 27 grants the general rule-making power, Section 6(1) is where the application fee requirement is stipulated within the request process itself, necessitating its prescription by rules.

Section 8(1) lists exemptions. Section 10(1) deals with severability of information. Section 12(1) deals with the constitution of the Central Information Commission. Section 7 also mentions fees for providing the information itself, beyond the initial application fee mentioned in Section 6(1).

8. Refusal to accept an application on the ground that the demand draft/b

Refusal to accept an application on the ground that the demand draft/bankers cheque/IPO submitted by the applicant has been drawn in the name of the accounts officer may amount to refusal to accept the application. It may result into imposition of penalty by the Central Information Commission on the concerned Central Public Information Officer under which one of the following Sections of RTI Act, 2005 ?

Section 16

Section 18

Section 20

Section 22

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The correct answer is C) Section 20. Section 20 of the RTI Act, 2005 empowers the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission to impose a penalty on the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) or the State Public Information Officer (SPIO) for various defaults, including refusing to receive an application.

Section 20(1) specifies that a penalty of two hundred and fifty rupees each day till application is received or information is furnished, subject to a maximum of twenty-five thousand rupees, may be imposed if the PIO has, without any reasonable cause, refused to receive an application for information or has not furnished information within the time specified, or malafidely denied the request, or knowingly given incorrect, incomplete or misleading information or destroyed information which was the subject of the request or obstructed in any manner in furnishing the information. Refusal to accept an application on an unreasonable ground like the fee payment mode can fall under refusal to receive the application without reasonable cause.

Section 16 relates to the constitution of the State Information Commission. Section 18 deals with the powers and functions of the Information Commissions, including entertaining and inquiring into complaints. While a complaint about the refusal would be made under Section 18, the penalty is imposed under Section 20. Section 22 gives the Act overriding effect over inconsistent laws.

9. The purpose of suo motu disclosures under which one of the following s

The purpose of suo motu disclosures under which one of the following sections of the RTI Act, 2005 is to place a large amount of information in public domain on a proactive basis to make the functioning of the public authorities more transparent and also to reduce the need for individual RTI applications ?

Section 2

Section 4

Section 6

Section 8

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The correct answer is B) Section 4. Section 4 of the RTI Act, 2005 deals with the obligations of public authorities, specifically mandating the proactive or *suo motu* disclosure of certain information.

Section 4(1)(b) requires every public authority to publish specified information within one hundred and twenty days from the enactment of the Act. This proactive disclosure is intended to make the functioning of public authorities transparent and reduce the need for individuals to file RTI applications for this information.

Other sub-sections of Section 4 also relate to maintaining records, computerization, and disseminating information widely and easily accessible forms. Section 2 defines terms, Section 6 deals with the request for information by applicants, and Section 8 lists exemptions from disclosure.

10. Designation of Central Assistant Public Information Officers by the pu

Designation of Central Assistant Public Information Officers by the public authorities is provided under which one of the following sections of the RTI Act, 2005 ?

Section 3(1)

Section 3(2)

Section 4(1)

Section 5(2)

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Section 5(2) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 provides for the designation of Central Assistant Public Information Officers (CAPIOs) by public authorities.

Section 5 of the RTI Act deals with the designation of Information Officers. Section 5(1) mandates the designation of Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) or State Public Information Officers (SPIOs). Section 5(2) mandates the designation of CAPIOs or SAPIOs at sub-divisional or sub-district levels to receive applications/appeals and forward them to the respective PIO or Commission.

Section 3 of the Act guarantees the right to information to all citizens. Section 4 outlines the obligations of public authorities regarding proactive disclosure of information. Section 5 details the process for designating Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers.