The Government of India has enacted the Right to Information Act, 2005, which came into effect from October 13, 2005. The Right to Information under this Act is meant to give the citizens of India access to information under control of public authorities. This is done to promote transparency and accountability in these organizations.       

Information means any material in any form including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information related to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force but does not include ‘file notings’.

It includes the right to -

• Inspect works, documents or records.
• Take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records.
• Take certified samples of material.
• Take information in storage devices such as diskettes, tapes or video cassettes, in any other electronic mode or through printed hard copies of the document.

All administrative units or offices under it have a Public Information Officer who is designated by public authorities to provide information to citizens who request for it under the Act. The Public Information Officer has to reply to such a request within 30 days.  They may either provide the information on the payment of a fee or specify reasons why the information cannot be provided.

Under Sections 8 and 9 of the Act, certain types of information are to be exempt from disclosure. The Act also provides for the selection of a Chief Public Information Officer to deal with requests for information.