Indian Polity and Governance Archives

11. Which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005, gives power to t

Which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005, gives power to the Central Information Commission to require the concerned public authority to compensate the complainant for any loss or other detriment suffered?

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Section 17(1)(a)

Section 19(8)(b)

Section 22(4)(a)

Section 24(3)(b)

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The correct answer is B. Section 19(8)(b) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, empowers the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission to require the concerned public authority to compensate the complainant for any loss or detriment suffered.

– Section 19 of the RTI Act deals with appeals to the Information Commissions (CIC/SIC).
– Sub-section (8) lists the powers and functions of the Central Information Commission or State Information Commission while deciding an appeal.
– Clause (b) of Section 19(8) provides the Commission with the power to “require the public authority to compensate the complainant for any loss or other detriment suffered”.

Other powers listed in Section 19(8) include requiring the public authority to take steps for compliance with the Act, providing access to information, appointing a CPIO, publishing information, receiving a report on steps taken, and imposing penalties under Section 20. The power to award compensation is a means to address grievances where denial of information or delay has caused harm or loss to the applicant.

12. It is obligatory for all the public authorities under which one of the

It is obligatory for all the public authorities under which one of the following Sections of the RTI Act, 2005 to publish all relevant facts while formulating important policies and announcing decisions affecting the public ?

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Section 4(1)(c)

Section 5(2)(a)

Section 6(3)(d)

Section 7(4)(b)

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The correct answer is A. Section 4(1)(c) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, mandates public authorities to publish all relevant facts when formulating important policies and announcing decisions affecting the public.

– Section 4 of the RTI Act deals with the obligations of public authorities, focusing on proactive disclosure of information.
– Sub-section (1) lists various types of information that public authorities are required to publish.
– Clause (c) of Section 4(1) specifically requires every public authority to “publish all relevant facts while formulating important policies or announcing the decisions which affect the public”.

This provision is intended to bring transparency to the policy-making and decision-making processes that impact citizens. By making relevant facts public at these stages, the Act aims to ensure accountability and allow for informed public participation or understanding of the reasons behind government actions. This is a key part of the *suo motu* disclosure requirement under Section 4.

13. Which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005, provides that th

Which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005, provides that the first appellate authority should dispose off the appeal within thirty days of the receipt of the appeal ?

Section 17(a)

Section 19(6)

Section 22(4)

Section 24(3)

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The correct answer is B. Section 19(6) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, specifies the time limit within which a first appeal should be disposed of by the First Appellate Authority (FAA).

– Section 19 of the RTI Act deals with appeals. Sub-section (1) allows a person aggrieved by the decision of the CPIO/SPIO or who has not received a decision within the specified time to prefer an appeal to the officer senior in rank to the CPIO/SPIO (the First Appellate Authority).
– Sub-section (6) of Section 19 states, “An appeal under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be disposed of within thirty days of the receipt of the appeal or in exceptional cases within forty-five days of the receipt of the appeal, as the case may be, after recording in writing the reasons for such delay.”

Sub-section (2) of Section 19 deals with appeals by third parties. The time limit mentioned in Section 19(6) applies to both types of first appeals. If the FAA fails to dispose of the appeal within this period, the appellant can file a second appeal with the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission, as the case may be, under Section 19(3).

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14. Which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005 casts a responsib

Which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005 casts a responsibility on the Government of States to develop and organize educational programmes to advance the understanding of the public about exercise of their right to information ?

Section 26(1)(a)

Section 28(1)(c)

Section 30(1)(a)

Section 32(1)(c)

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The correct answer is A. Section 26(1)(a) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, specifically places the responsibility on the appropriate Government to develop and organize educational programmes for the public about the exercise of their right to information.

– Section 26 of the RTI Act deals with the responsibilities of the ‘appropriate Government’ (Central or State) regarding the implementation and promotion of the Act.
– Sub-section (1)(a) of Section 26 mandates the appropriate Government to “develop and organise educational programmes to advance the understanding of the public, particularly disadvantaged communities to exercise the right to information”.

Section 26 outlines several steps to be taken by the government to promote the Act, including publishing relevant information, training CPIOs, bringing out guides, and undertaking similar activities besides organizing educational programmes. This section is vital for ensuring that the right to information is not just a legal provision but is also understood and effectively utilized by the citizens.

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15. Consider the following statements regarding the standard format for pr

Consider the following statements regarding the standard format for providing information :

1. RTI application number, date and date of its receipt in the public authority.
2. The name, designation, official telephone number and email ID of the CPIO.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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The correct answer is C, as both statements are considered standard and essential elements for providing information under the RTI Act, facilitating clarity, tracking, and communication.

– Statement 1: Including the RTI application number, date, and receipt date is crucial for tracking the application and the response provided by the public authority.
– Statement 2: Providing the contact details of the CPIO (Central Public Information Officer) or SPIO (State Public Information Officer) is necessary for the applicant to know whom to contact for follow-up or clarification, and for record-keeping purposes related to the designated officer handling the request.

While the RTI Act itself lays down the framework for accessing information, specific rules, guidelines, and standard practices developed by the government (like those from the Department of Personnel and Training – DoPT) provide the practical formats and procedures for handling RTI applications and responses. These standard formats typically include all the details mentioned in statements 1 and 2 to ensure transparency and effective management of RTI requests.

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16. According to which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005, any

According to which one of the following sections of RTI Act, 2005, any complaint made against an officer of the Government and any possible action the authorities might have taken on the complaint, qualifies as personal information within the meaning of the section ?

Section 6(2)(a)

Section 8(1)(j)

Section 9(1)(d)

Section 10(2)(f)

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The correct answer is B) Section 8(1)(j). Section 8(1) of the RTI Act lists the categories of information that are exempt from disclosure.

Section 8(1)(j) exempts from disclosure “information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual”. It includes a proviso allowing disclosure if the larger public interest justifies it. Information regarding complaints against an officer and action taken is assessed under this section to determine if it constitutes ‘personal information’ and whether its disclosure serves a larger public interest or would be an unwarranted invasion of privacy.

While the classification of such information depends on specific facts and interpretation, Section 8(1)(j) is the provision under which the test of “personal information” versus “public activity or interest” and “unwarranted invasion of privacy” is applied in such cases. Section 6 deals with requests, Section 9 deals with rejection of requests based on copyright, and Section 10 deals with severability.

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17. 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’ ?

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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.

18. 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.

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19. 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?

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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.

20. 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.

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