Economic Survey 2025-26: Re-examination of the RTI Act, 2005
The Economic Survey 2025-26 has proposed a re-evaluation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. It suggests exploring adjustments to exempt certain disclosures and possibly instituting a ministerial veto with parliamentary oversight to prevent governance constraints.
Key Highlights
- The RTI Act is recognized as a significant democratic reform tool for accountability and anti-corruption.
- Concerns are expressed that the Act may become an “end in itself,” with disclosures celebrated irrespective of their governance impact.
- The Act is not intended for idle curiosity or for micromanaging government operations externally.
Suggestions for Revisiting the Act
- Exempt brainstorming notes, working papers, and draft comments until included in final decision-making records.
- Protect service records, transfers, and confidential staff reports.
- Explore a “narrowly defined” ministerial veto with parliamentary oversight to prevent undue governance constraints.
International Comparisons
- The survey highlights that, unlike the RTI Act, countries such as the US, UK, and Sweden exempt internal personnel rules, inter-agency memos, and financial regulations from disclosures.
- In contrast, the Indian law provides minimal exemptions, with draft notes and internal correspondence often entering the public domain without strong public interest links.
Concerns About the Act's Impact
The survey raises concerns that disclosing every draft or remark might lead officials to refrain from proposing bold ideas, adopting cautious language instead.
It clarifies that the intent is not secrecy but ensuring democratic function by holding officials accountable for endorsed decisions, not preliminary thoughts.
