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Events / India's RTI Act Under Scrutiny
Domestic Government policy debate

India's RTI Act Under Scrutiny

Analysis based on 11 articles · First reported Jan 30, 2026 · Last updated Jan 30, 2026

Sentiment
-20
Attention
2
Articles
11
Market Impact
General
Live prominence charts, article sentiment distribution, and event development timeline available on the NewsDesk Dashboard
Market Impact

The debate surrounding the Right to Information Act, 2005 could impact investor confidence in India's transparency and governance, potentially leading to concerns about regulatory oversight and corporate accountability. Weakening the act might be perceived negatively by international investors prioritizing good governance.

Government Legal
Event Summary

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has strongly criticized the Modi government's alleged systematic weakening of the Right to Information Act, 2005, following suggestions from the Economic survey of India to 're-examine' the law. Kharge highlighted issues such as over 26,000 pending RTI cases, amendments in 2019 that gave the Centre control over Information Commissioners' tenure and pay, and the impact of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 on the RTI's public interest clause. He also pointed out the frequent vacancies in the India===Central Information Commission and the murder of over 100 RTI activists since 2014, drawing parallels to the 'killing' of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005. The Economic survey of India, however, framed its suggestions as aligning the RTI Act with global best practices, proposing a ministerial veto and shielding certain confidential records.

Key Actions
80 Mallikarjun Kharge criticized government's approach to Right to Information Act Narendra Modi
60 Narendra Modi seized control over Information Commissioners' tenure and pay India===Central Information Commission
Entities Involved
per
Mallikarjun Kharge
Mallikarjun Kharge, as the Congress President, is a key critic of the proposed changes to the Right to Information Act. He accuses the Modi government of systematically weakening the law and undermining transparency.
Importance 80 Sentiment -20
polparty
India===Indian National Congress
The India===Indian National Congress, through its president Mallikarjun Kharge, is strongly opposing the proposed changes to the Right to Information Act, 2005, advocating for its preservation and criticizing the Modi government's actions.
Importance 70 Sentiment 10
per
Narendra Modi
The Modi government, led by Narendra Modi, is accused by Mallikarjun Kharge of systematically weakening the Right to Information Act, 2005 and failing to implement the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011. The Economic survey of India, under his government, proposed re-examining the RTI Act.
Importance 60 Sentiment -10
govactor
India===Central Information Commission
The India===Central Information Commission has been functioning without a Chief Information Commissioner for extended periods, which Mallikarjun Kharge cites as evidence of the Modi government's efforts to weaken the Right to Information Act, 2005.
Importance 40 Sentiment -30
Relationships
Mallikarjun Kharge related ↔ India===Indian National Congress
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