Topic Details (Notes format)

Information Commissions (Central and State)

Subject: Polity

Book: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

Established under the RTI Act to adjudicate appeals and complaints when public authorities deny or delay information. The Central Information Commission (CIC) handles central entities, while State Information Commissions oversee respective states. Led by a Chief Information Commissioner, they can summon records, impose penalties for non-compliance, and direct disclosure. Their decisions are binding unless challenged in courts. Critics point to staffing deficits and political appointments that erode independence. Nonetheless, strong commissions foster transparency, enabling citizens to track government functioning. By penalizing errant officials and clarifying RTI’s scope, these bodies anchor India’s right-to-know regime, essential for accountable democracy.

Practice Questions

Which of the following is a feature of the Indian Constitution?

Who is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?

Who was the first woman to become the President of India?

राज्यों के बीच शक्तियों का संतुलन किस सिद्धांत पर आधारित है?

संसदीय प्रश्न सत्र के दौरान प्रश्नों के उत्तर कौन देता है?

कार्यपालिका के प्रमुख के रूप में किसे नियुक्त किया जाता है?

What is the maximum strength of the Legislative Assembly of a state?

What is the maximum number of members in the Legislative Assembly of a state?

Who is responsible for the selection of the judges of the Supreme Court?

भारतीय संविधान में मौलिक कर्तव्यों का प्रावधान किस अनुच्छेद में है?