Why this matters now
CIC is tested for: the RTI Act 2005 (Sections 12-14 on CIC; Sections 15-17 on SICs); 3-tier RTI hierarchy (PIO → 1st Appellate Authority → CIC/SIC); the 2019 RTI Amendment that empowered Centre to set term + salary; the rapidly-growing pendency (~26,000 cases as of 2024); and the absence of statutory penalty enforcement.
Composition (RTI Act 2005 amended 2019)
1 Chief Information Commissioner + up to 10 Information Commissioners. Appointed by the President on recommendation of a 3-member committee:
- Prime Minister (Chair)
- Leader of Opposition / Leader of the largest party in opposition (Lok Sabha)
- One Union Cabinet Minister nominated by PM
Eligibility: persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science, technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media, or administration. Bar on holding any other office of profit (during tenure).
Term: 3 years or 65 years of age, whichever earlier (after 2019 amendment — was 5 yr/65). No reappointment as CIC. ICs can be promoted to CIC if remaining term allows.
Removal: by President on grounds of (a) insolvency, (b) outside paid employment, (c) infirmity, (d) misbehaviour proved by Supreme Court inquiry.
Powers & functions
- Receive + inquire into complaints from any person who has been refused information by a PIO/Appellate Authority (Section 18).
- Decide appeals against orders of the 1st Appellate Authority (Section 19).
- Impose penalty on PIO — Rs 250 per day, max Rs 25,000 (Section 20).
- Recommend disciplinary action against errant PIO.
- Annual Report to Central Government, laid before Parliament.
CIC has powers of a civil court — summoning witnesses, requisition of public records, inspection of premises (Section 18(3)).
RTI 3-tier hierarchy
| Tier | Authority | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Public Information Officer (PIO) — appointed by every public authority. Application fee Rs 10. | Reply within 30 days (48 hrs if life/liberty). |
| 2 | First Appellate Authority (FAA) — senior officer above PIO. | Appeal within 30 days; decision in 30 days (extendable to 45). |
| 3 | CIC (Centre) / SIC (State) | Second appeal within 90 days of FAA order. |
Past CICs: Wajahat Habibullah (1st CIC 2005-10), A.N. Tiwari (2010), Satyananda Mishra (2010-12), Deepak Sandhu (2013), Sushma Singh (2013-14), Vijai Sharma (2014), R.K. Mathur (2015-16), Radha Krishna Mathur (2016-17 short), Sudhir Bhargava (2018-20), Bimal Julka (2020), Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha (2020-23), Heeralal Samariya (6 Nov 2023 - present).
UPSC angle
Know CIC — STATUTORY body RTI ACT 2005 (Sec 12-14 CIC, Sec 15-17 SIC); HQ CIC Bhavan August Kranti Marg Delhi; 1 Chief Information Commissioner + up to 10 ICs; APPOINTMENT by President on 3-member committee: PM Chair + LoP LS + Union Cabinet Min nominated by PM; ELIGIBILITY eminence in law/science/tech/social service/management/journalism/mass media/admin; TERM 3 YEARS OR 65 AGE post 2019 RTI Amendment (was 5 yr/65); no reappointment as CIC, ICs can be promoted to CIC; REMOVAL by President on insolvency/paid employment/infirmity/misbehaviour-by-SC-inquiry; POWERS: Sec 18 inquire complaints, Sec 19 decide 2nd appeals, Sec 20 penalty PIO Rs 250/day MAX Rs 25,000, civil court powers; 3-TIER RTI: PIO (Rs 10 fee, 30 days reply / 48 hrs life-liberty) → First Appellate Authority (30 days appeal, 30/45 days decide) → CIC/SIC (90 days 2nd appeal); 1st CIC WAJAHAT HABIBULLAH 2005-10; current HEERALAL SAMARIYA 6 Nov 2023+; pendency ~26000 cases 2024.
Frequently asked questions
When was CIC established?
In 2005, under the Right to Information Act 2005 — Sections 12-14.
How many Information Commissioners can CIC have?
1 Chief Information Commissioner + up to 10 Information Commissioners (maximum 11 total).
What is the term of CIC?
3 years or 65 years of age, whichever earlier — after the 2019 RTI Amendment. Was 5 years previously.
Who is the current CIC?
Heeralal Samariya — took office on 6 November 2023.