This paper critically evaluates the evolution and current status of RTI in India, the implications of recent developments—such as the 2019 RTI Amendment Act and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023—and proposes concrete strategies for revitalizing the RTI framework.
RTI users often face physical harm, intimidation, and false legal cases. According to a 2023 report by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, over 51 RTI activists have been murdered, and more than 300 have been harassed or assaulted since 2005. The Whistleblower Protection Act (2014) remains poorly implemented, offering little practical security.
RTI awareness remains alarmingly low—only 12% in rural areas and 30% in urban India (Lokniti-CSDS, 2021).
The RTI Act of 2005 has had a profound impact—exposing corruption, empowering citizens, and fostering democratic scrutiny. But mounting amendments, institutional weaknesses, and bureaucratic inertia have imperiled its promise.
by by Dr M Sridhar Acharyulu
13/10/2025