Appointment to Chief Information Commissioner

Post Date: 20 December 2025

Syllabus:
GS-II | Polity & Governance 🏛️
Statutory Bodies

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📍 Context

The President of India has administered the oath of office to Raj Kumar Goyal as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the Central Information Commission.

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🔎 About the Central Information Commission (CIC)

The Central Information Commission is a statutory body established under the Right to Information Act, 2005 to adjudicate matters related to access to information held by Central public authorities.

• Composition:
  • One Chief Information Commissioner
  • Not more than 10 Information Commissioners

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🧩 Appointment Mechanism

Members of the CIC are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a committee consisting of:

• The Prime Minister – Chairperson
• The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
• A Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister

This structure is intended to ensure bipartisan oversight in appointments.

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⏳ Term of Office

• The Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners hold office for a term of three years
• The term begins from the date on which the official enters upon office

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📌 Jurisdiction

• The jurisdiction of the Central Information Commission extends over all Central Public Authorities
• It hears:
  • Appeals against decisions of Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs)
  • Complaints relating to denial or obstruction of information

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👤 Eligibility Criteria (Section 12(5), RTI Act, 2005)

The CIC and Information Commissioners must:

• Be persons of eminence in public life
• Possess wide knowledge and experience in:
  • Law
  • Science and technology
  • Social service
  • Management
  • Journalism or mass media
  • Administration and governance

Disqualifications:

• Cannot be:
  • A Member of Parliament
  • A Member of a State Legislature or Union Territory Legislature
• Must not:
  • Hold any office of profit
  • Be connected with any political party
  • Carry on any business or profession

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⚖️ Powers and Functions

While conducting inquiries, the Commission enjoys powers equivalent to a civil court, including:

• Summoning and enforcing attendance of persons
• Compelling oral or written evidence on oath
• Requiring discovery and inspection of documents
• Receiving evidence on affidavit
• Requisitioning public records from any court or office
• Issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents

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📂 Access to Records

• During inquiry, the Commission may examine any record under the control of a public authority
• No record can be withheld from the Commission on any ground

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🔒 Binding Nature of Decisions

• Decisions of the Central Information Commission are final and binding
• They play a crucial role in enforcing:
  • Transparency
  • Accountability
  • Citizens’ right to information

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🌀 IAS Monk Whisper

Transparency is not granted by power—it is compelled by institutions that answer only to the Constitution and the citizen.