Transparency and Accountability: Evaluating the Role of RTI in Strengthening Indian Democracy

TITLE	Transparency and Accountability: Evaluating the Role of RTI in Strengthening Indian Democracy
ABSTRACT	Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of democratic governance. In India, the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) was enacted as a legislative instrument to make public bodies more transparent, increase citizen participation in governance, and curb corruption. This paper evaluates how RTI has contributed to strengthening Indian democracy by examining its achievements, limitations, and the systemic challenges it faces. Drawing upon statutory provisions, Central Information Commission (CIC) reports, case studies, and secondary scholarship, the paper argues that RTI has been transformative in enabling citizen oversight and opening administrative processes to public scrutiny. However, the Act’s potential is constrained by institutional weaknesses, political resistance, bureaucratic inertia, misuse concerns, and gaps in civic capacity. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for enhancing RTI’s efficacy: strengthening information commissions, safeguarding independence, improving proactive disclosure, investing in capacity-building, protecting information seekers, and promoting a culture of transparency in public institutions.
AUTHOR	Dr. Sanjay Bhardwaj
PUBLICATION DATE	2025-11-23 15:38:03
VOLUME	5
ISSUE	4
PDF	pdf/2017/10/46_Transparency and Accountability Evaluating the Role of RTI in Strengthening Indian Democracy.pdf
KEYWORDS

Article