Right to Information and Democratic Accountability in India

Abstract

The Right to Information is an important instrument for transparency and democratic accountability in India. The Right to Information Act, 2005 established a statutory framework through which citizens can seek information from public authorities, subject to specified exemptions and procedural requirements. Access to public information can enable citizens, journalists, civil society organizations, and researchers to examine government decisions, public expenditure, administrative processes, and service delivery. This paper examines nine major dimensions of the Right to Information and democratic accountability, including its constitutional foundations, statutory framework, access procedures, transparency, public participation, anti-corruption potential, institutional mechanisms, limitations, and contemporary challenges.