Why in News:
A report by Satark Nagrik Sangathan highlights severe vacancies and dysfunction in State and Central Information Commissions, causing massive RTI appeal backlogs. Some SICs are defunct, and delays could extend decades, undermining citizens’ right to information.
Description:
| Feature / Aspect | Central Information Commission (CIC) | State Information Commission (SIC) |
| Constitutional / Statutory Status | Statutory body under the Right to Information Act, 2005 | Statutory body under the Right to Information Act, 2005 |
| Established by | Central Government | State Government |
| Headquarters | New Delhi | State Capital (varies by state) |
| Composition | – Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) – Up to 10 Information Commissioners (ICs) | – State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) – Up to 10 State Information Commissioners (SICs) |
| Appointment Authority | Appointed by the President of India | Appointed by the Governor of the State |
| Appointing Committee | – Prime Minister (Chairperson) – Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha – Union Cabinet Minister nominated by PM | – Chief Minister (Chairperson) – Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly – State Cabinet Minister nominated by CM |
| Tenure | 3 years or until 65 years of age, whichever is earlier (after 2019 amendment) | 3 years or until 65 years of age, whichever is earlier |
| Reappointment | Not eligible for reappointment | Not eligible for reappointment |
| Salary and Conditions of Service | Same as Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners | Same as State Election Commissioner and State Election Commissioners |
| Jurisdiction | All Central Public Authorities (Ministries, Departments, PSUs, etc.) | All State Public Authorities (State Departments, PSUs, local bodies, etc.) |
| Function | – Hear appeals against decisions of Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) – Order disclosure of information – Impose penalties for non-compliance | – Hear appeals against decisions of State Public Information Officers (SPIOs) – Order disclosure of information – Impose penalties for non-compliance |
| Reports | Submits Annual Report to the Central Government, which is laid before Parliament | Submits Annual Report to the State Government, which is laid before State Legislature |
| Removal | By the President on grounds of proved misbehavior or incapacity after inquiry by the Supreme Court | By the Governor on similar grounds after inquiry by the Supreme Court |
| Legal Backing | Sections 12–17 of the RTI Act, 2005 | Sections 15–17 of the RTI Act, 2005 |
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
