Question 1

Consider the following pairs:
Body/Commission : Nodal Ministry
1. Central Information Commission : Ministry of Home Affairs
2. National Commission for SCs : Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
3. Election Commission of India : Ministry of Law and Justice
4. National Human Rights Commission : Ministry of Personnel
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two pairs. Pair 1 is incorrect; the Central Information Commission falls under the Ministry of Personnel. Pair 2 is correct. Pair 3 is correct. Pair 4 is incorrect; the National Human Rights Commission falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Therefore, only two pairs are correctly matched.

Question 2

Consider the following two statements regarding the removal of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC):
Statement I: The President of India can remove the Chief Information Commissioner on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
Statement II: In cases of proved misbehaviour or incapacity, the President must refer the matter to the Supreme Court for an enquiry, and the President can remove the CIC only if the Supreme Court upholds the cause of removal.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I. Statement I is correct as proved misbehaviour is a ground for removal. Statement II is also correct and provides the specific procedure that must be followed for removal on these grounds. The President's power to remove the CIC for misbehaviour is contingent upon an inquiry and advice from the Supreme Court, making Statement II the correct explanation for the process mentioned in Statement I.

Question 3

With reference to the Central Information Commission (CIC), consider the following statements:
1. The Commission consists of a Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten Information Commissioners.
2. The committee for the appointment of the commissioners is chaired by the Prime Minister.
3. A Member of the Legislature of any State is eligible for appointment as an Information Commissioner.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

3 only. Statement 1 is correct; the Commission's composition is one Chief and up to ten Commissioners. Statement 2 is correct; the appointment committee is headed by the Prime Minister. Statement 3 is incorrect; the Act explicitly states that commissioners should not be a Member of Parliament or Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory. The question asks for the incorrect statement.

Question 4

Consider the following with respect to the powers and functions of the Central Information Commission (CIC):
1. It can initiate an inquiry into a matter on its own motion (suo-moto).
2. It has the power to impose penalties as specified under the RTI Act.
3. It submits its annual report on the implementation of the Act directly to each House of Parliament.
4. It has the powers of a civil court in matters such as summoning persons and receiving evidence on affidavit.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only three statements. Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct functions and powers of the CIC. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Commission submits its annual report to the Central Government, which then places the report before each House of Parliament. The submission is not made directly to the Parliament by the CIC. Therefore, only three statements are correct.

Question 5

Consider the following statements:
1. The Central Information Commission is a constitutional body constituted through an Official Gazette Notification.
2. The Chief Information Commissioner holds office for a term as prescribed by the Central Government or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
3. The Chief Information Commissioner is not eligible for reappointment after their term.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect; the CIC was established under the RTI Act, 2005, making it a statutory body, not a constitutional one. Statement 2 is correct, as the term is prescribed by the Central Government, with an age limit of 65. Statement 3 is also correct; the members are not eligible for reappointment.

Question 6

With reference to the State Information Commission (SIC), consider the following statements:
1. The appointment committee for the State Chief Information Commissioner is chaired by the Chief Minister.
2. The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly is a member of the appointment committee.
3. A State Cabinet Minister nominated by the Chief Minister is also a member of this committee.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3. The State Chief Information Commissioner is appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a committee. This committee consists of the Chief Minister as its Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, and a State Cabinet Minister nominated by the Chief Minister. Therefore, all three statements are correct.

Question 7

Consider the following two statements regarding the removal of a State Chief Information Commissioner:
Statement I: The Governor can remove the State Chief Information Commissioner on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
Statement II: In cases of proved misbehaviour or incapacity, the Governor must refer the matter to the Supreme Court for an enquiry, and the Supreme Court's advice is a prerequisite for removal.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.. Statement I is correct as the Governor has the power to remove the Commissioner for proved misbehaviour. Statement II correctly explains the mandatory procedure for this specific ground of removal: the Governor must refer the matter to the Supreme Court for an inquiry. The Governor can only act on the advice tendered by the Supreme Court after the inquiry, making Statement II the correct explanation for the process mentioned in Statement I.

Question 8

With reference to the powers and functions of the State Information Commission, consider the following:
1. Summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons.
2. Requisitioning any public record from any court or office.
3. Imposing penalties as provided under the RTI Act.
4. Recommending steps to a public authority for promoting conformity with the Act.
How many of the above are powers or functions of the State Information Commission?

Accepted Answer

All four. The State Information Commission has the powers of a civil court, which include summoning persons and requisitioning public records. It also has the power to impose penalties and secure compliance, which includes recommending steps to public authorities for promoting conformity with the RTI Act. Therefore, all four items listed are within the powers and functions of the SIC.

Question 9

Consider the following statements regarding the Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019:
1. It empowered the Central Government to prescribe the term of office for the State Chief Information Commissioner.
2. It provided that the salary and allowances of the State Chief Information Commissioner shall be similar to those of an Election Commissioner.
3. It removed the provision for salary deductions of commissioners based on pensions received for previous government service.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only. Statement 2 is incorrect. The 2019 amendment provided that the salary and allowances of the State Chief Information Commissioner shall be prescribed by the Central Government, removing the previous provision that equated it with that of an Election Commissioner. Statements 1 and 3 are correct effects of the 2019 amendment. The question asks for the incorrect statement.

Question 10

Under the RTI Act, 2005, the Governor can remove the State Chief Information Commissioner or a State Information Commissioner from office under
which of the following circumstances?
1. If he is adjudged an insolvent.
2. If he engages in any paid employment outside the duties of his office.
3. If he is unfit to continue in office due to infirmity of mind or body, in the opinion of the Governor.
4. If he has been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude.
How many of the above grounds are correct?

Accepted Answer

All four. The RTI Act, 2005 specifies several circumstances under which the Governor can remove a State Information Commissioner. These include being adjudged an insolvent, engaging in paid employment outside office duties, conviction for an offence involving moral turpitude, and unfitness due to infirmity of mind or body. All four listed grounds are explicitly mentioned in the Act.

Question 11

Consider the following statements regarding the powers of the Central Information Commission (CIC) in light of the recent Delhi High Court ruling on MPLADS funds:

1. The High Court upheld the CIC's directive for the concerned ministry to proactively publish MP-wise and work-wise details of MPLADS fund expenditure.
2. The CIC's power to make binding recommendations on the policy of fund utilisation to prevent potential abuse by MPs was affirmed by the court as part of its mandate.
3. The CIC's authority to summon persons and compel the production of documents, similar to a civil court, is limited to cases where information has been explicitly refused and does not apply to suo-moto inquiries.
4. The President must refer a case of 'proved misbehaviour' by a Chief Information Commissioner to the Supreme Court for an inquiry before they can be removed.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct as the Delhi HC retained the portion of the CIC order instructing the public authority to publish details of the funds. Statement 2 is incorrect; the court ruled that the CIC has no jurisdiction to comment upon or make recommendations on the 'utilisation' of funds, as its scope is limited to providing access to information. Statement 3 is incorrect; the CIC can order inquiry into any matter if there are reasonable grounds (suo-moto power) and can exercise the powers of a civil court during any such inquiry. Statement 4 is correct as per the removal procedure laid out in the RTI Act.

Question 12

The 2025 report on the 20th anniversary of the RTI Act highlights the erosion of autonomy in Information Commissions. In this context, consider the following statements regarding the changes introduced by the Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019, for State Information Commissions:

1. It empowered the Central Government to prescribe the term of office for the State Chief Information Commissioner, which was previously fixed for 5 years.
2. It stipulated that the salary of the State Chief Information Commissioner would be similar to that of an Election Commissioner to ensure uniformity.
3. It removed the provisions that allowed for deductions from the salary of commissioners on account of pensions received for previous government service.
4. It transferred the power to set service conditions for State Information Commissioners from the State Government to the Central Government.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct; the 2019 amendment gave the Central Government the power to prescribe the term, which was earlier fixed at 5 years. Statement 2 is incorrect; this was the provision *before* the amendment. The amendment gave the Central Government the power to prescribe the salary. Statement 3 is correct; the amendment removed the salary deduction provisions related to pensions. Statement 4 is incorrect; prior to the amendment, the salaries were benchmarked against constitutional/statutory posts (like Election Commissioner and Chief Secretary), not set by the State Government. The amendment gave this power to the Central Government. Therefore, only two statements (1 and 3) are correct.

Question 13

Consider the following statements regarding the changes introduced by the Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019, in the context of the State Information Commission (SIC), which have been cited as a concern for its autonomy:

1. The term of office for the State Chief Information Commissioner was changed from a fixed five-year term to a term as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
2. The salaries and allowances of the State Chief Information Commissioner, previously similar to those of an Election Commissioner, are now determined by the Central Government.
3. The power to appoint the State Chief Information Commissioner was transferred from the Governor to the President of India.
4. The provision allowing for deductions in the salary of a State Information Commissioner on account of a pension received for previous government service was removed.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only three. Statement 1 is correct; the 2019 amendment replaced the fixed 5-year term with a term prescribed by the Central Government. Statement 2 is correct; the amendment empowered the Central Government to prescribe salaries, which were previously benchmarked against the Election Commissioner for the State Chief IC. Statement 3 is incorrect; the appointment power remains with the Governor on the recommendation of the state-level committee. Statement 4 is correct; the amendment removed the provisions regarding salary deductions for pensions. Therefore, three statements are correct.

Central & State Information Commissions

Unlock All Questions