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UPSC Notes

Information Commissions (Central and State)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Information Commissions are crucial statutory bodies for upholding transparency and accountability. UPSC focuses on their powers, functions, challenges to their independence, and their role in the effective implementation of the RTI Act.

Information Commissions, established under the Right to Information Act, 2005, are statutory bodies responsible for hearing appeals and complaints regarding information requests, ensuring the effective implementation of the Act.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Establishment

Under the Right to Information Act, 2005

Structure

Central Information Commission (CIC) at national level, State Information Commissions (SICs) at state level

Composition

Chief Information Commissioner and up to 10 Information Commissioners

Role

Quasi-judicial bodies to receive and inquire into complaints, hear second appeals, and impose penalties.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaGovernance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Andhra Pradesh Information CommissionRegulates
Central Information CommissionRegulates
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Statutory bodies under RTI Act, 2005.
  • CIC at Centre, SICs in States.
  • Hear appeals and complaints, ensure Act's implementation.
  • Quasi-judicial powers, can impose penalties.
  • Crucial for transparency and accountability.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — Information Commissions are statutory bodies, not constitutional bodies.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: I. Panchayats at the intermediate level exist in all States. II. To be eligible to be a Member of a Panchayat at the inte...

Indian PolityOpen question
2024Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

Indian PolityOpen question
2022Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

EconomyOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

EconomyOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, the...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2018Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile. 2. Once issued, the Aadhaar number cannot be deactivat...

Indian PolityOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile. 2. Once issued, the Aadhaar number cannot be deactivat...

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Governance
Prelims 2018· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile. 2. Once issued, the Aadhaar number cannot be deactivat...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile. 2. Once issued, the Aadhaar number cannot be deactivat...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, the...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: I. Panchayats at the intermediate level exist in all States. II. To be eligible to be a Member of a Panchayat at the inte...

Open question

Andhra Pradesh Information Commission bars RTI activist for ‘misuse’, orders record seizure

22 Jun 2026 · Information Commissions (CIC and SICs) are statutory bodies under the RTI Act, 2005, acting as final appellate authorities for information requests. They ensure compliance with the Act, interpret its provisions, and address complaints, including those related to misuse.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Information Commissions (Central and State)

Often confused with

Right to Information Act, 2005

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Information Commissions (Central and State) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer
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