RTI and Governance: An Analytical Study of its Administrative Implementation and Impact

Abstract

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, enacted in India in 2005, has emerged as a landmark legislation aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and participatory governance. It empowers citizens to seek information from public authorities, thereby serving as a crucial check on arbitrary administrative practices and enabling informed civic engagement. This research paper critically examines the administrative implementation of the RTI Act and its broader implications on governance in India. By adopting a mixed-method approach-combining official RTI statistics, field surveys, interviews with Public Information Officers (PIOs), and analysis of citizen experiences-the study explores both the strengths and shortcomings of the current RTI regime. Key findings suggest that while the Act has contributed significantly to making public institutions more transparent and accessible, challenges such as delayed responses, inadequate PIO training, growing pendency of appeals, digital exclusion, and limited rural outreach continue to hinder its full potential. Additionally, citizen satisfaction levels indicate a need for procedural reforms, especially in the appeals process and proactive disclosures. The paper proposes a set of targeted recommendations, including improved digital infrastructure, regular capacity-building for RTI officials, and enhanced citizen awareness campaigns, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. Ultimately, the study reaffirms the RTI Act as a powerful democratic tool that, if effectively implemented, can transform the governance landscape in India by strengthening public trust, reducing corruption, and promoting a more open, participatory administrative culture.