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Home/UPSC CSE - Complete Course/Indian Polity & Constitution

Central and State Information Commissions

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1. Establishment

The Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions (SIC) were constituted under the provisions of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. Thus, they are statutory bodies.

2. Composition and Appointment

Composition: Consists of a Chief Information Commissioner and not more than 10 Information Commissioners.

  • Qualifications: They must be persons of eminence in public life with knowledge in law, science, management, etc. They cannot be MPs or MLAs.
  • Appointment: Appointed by the President (Governor for SIC) on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the PM (CM for SIC), the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM.

3. Term and Tenure (2019 Amendment)

Prior to 2019, the term was fixed at 5 years.

  • Following the RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019, the Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner hold office for such term as prescribed by the Central Government or until they attain the age of 65 years.
  • They are not eligible for reappointment.
  • Their salaries and allowances are also determined by the Central Government.