The Defence Ministry invoked national security to deny information regarding the appointment process of the Chief of Air Staff, including names of officers considered and policy guidelines. This denial, upheld by the Central Information Commission, came after multiple defence offices were unable to identify the authority holding such records, highlighting transparency issues.
The Tamil Nadu government revoked a controversial order exempting its Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act, 2005.
The Cabinet Secretariat declined to act on complaints from two Election Commissioners regarding a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner's conduct, citing that the communications were in an "individual capacity" and not an official stance from the Election Commission as a whole. This decision was based on concerns about potential interference in the constitutional body's functioning.
The Delhi High Court has overturned a Central Information Commission (CIC) order that mandated the disclosure of information regarding the Prime Minister's foreign visits on IAF aircraft under the RTI Act. The court cited national security concerns and the physical safety of the Prime Minister, stating that no sufficient larger public interest was demonstrated to override these risks. It also noted that the CIC erred in directing disclosure of Special Foreign Returns (SFR) - II.
The Central Information Commission has said the blanket denial of information sought on Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act renewal applications by the Union ministry of home affairs "appears to be misplaced and without any basis", while observing that the CPIO prima facie "obstructed" the complainant's right to information.
Activists Prashant Bhushan, Anjali Bharadwaj, Yogendra Yadav, and Neha Bora have raised serious questions about the Election Commission's decision-making process for the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. They allege contradictions in the EC's statements, lack of transparency regarding decisions, concerns over centralisation of the electoral database, and unauthorised changes to Form 6, calling for greater accountability and disclosure of records.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an immediate stay on the controversial Maharashtra Right to Information (RTI) rules following a backlash from transparency advocates and a hunger strike threat by veteran anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare.
The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) has informed the Supreme Court that newsrooms will be forced to shut down if journalists are required to seek permission before publishing information under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act and its accompanying Rules. The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Union ministries of Law and Justice, and Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on the DNPA's petition.
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) to disclose the specific rules and policies behind its requirement for shooters to submit an affidavit on a non-judicial stamp paper for date of birth verification. The directive came after an RTI appeal sought clarity on the basis for this mandatory requirement, which the NRAI stated was part of its age fraud prevention measures.
The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response on a petition filed by the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) challenging the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, and its accompanying Rules. The DNPA argues that the law, lacking exemptions for journalism, could impede news gathering and infringe upon citizens' right to information. The challenge highlights concerns over consent requirements for reporters and the Act's impact on the Right to Information.
An RTI activist, Simaranjit Singh, was shot dead near Maheru village in Punjab. Police have launched an investigation and are scanning CCTV footage to identify the assailants.
CCTV footage has emerged showing Youth Congress workers allegedly assaulting YouTuber Rajan Joseph inside Adoor police station in Keralam in July. The visuals, aired on Saturday, have prompted the CPI(M) to demand action against those involved, including Congress leader Sreena Devi Kunjamma, who had filed a complaint against Joseph. Youth Congress leaders deny any assault took place.
Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of withholding details about the software and algorithm used for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Citing an RTI response, Gokhale highlighted the ECI's claim that the information relates to "commercial confidence, trade secrets and intellectual property matters," raising concerns about transparency in the electoral process.
The Supreme Court has criticised RTI activism, calling it a "new business," while denying anticipatory bail to an activist accused of obstructing road construction work and intimidating public servants in Punjab.
The Central Information Commission has ruled that the Board of Control for Cricket in India does not qualify as a 'public authority' under the Right to Information Act, effectively placing it outside the scope of RTI disclosures.
An RTI reply has revealed that over Rs 262 crore was spent on salaries, allowances, and facilities for Rajya Sabha MPs in the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26. This includes more than Rs 151 crore specifically for allowances and travel, with a significant increase in expenditure from the first to the second year.
'If you ask Prime Minister Modi prove you are Indian, as per the Election Commission's criteria, he may not be able to prove that he is an Indian.'
The AICF's proposed constitution could change the symbolism of its top office. The president may no longer remain merely the king on the chessboard -- important to the organisation but with limited reach -- and could become something closer to the queen, influencing internal governance, external representation and emergency decision-making.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that an individual cannot obtain details of their spouse's income from authorities by filing an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Former Rajya Sabha member Saket Gokhale has alleged that the Election Commission refused to disclose details of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's official visits and the expenditure incurred from public funds, citing 'personal information' under the Right to Information Act.
Across all 10 schemes from FY24 to FY26, print media captured 58.8 per cent of the total ad spending, followed by electronic media at 19.5 per cent, digital media at 14.6 per cent, and outdoor media at 7.2 per cent.
The All India Football Federation has disclosed the number of registered football players, coaches, and referees in India in response to an RTI application.
How long can the Cockroach Janta Party remain an agitationist force? asks Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
As many as 171 students of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) died by suicide or unnatural death over the last two decades, with around 70 percent of the deaths recorded in the last 10 years, according to an IIT alumni group.
171 IIT student deaths by suicide or other unnatural causes have been recorded between January 2006 and September 2026. Of these, 120 were recorded between 2016 and September 2026, compared with 51 in the preceding decade.
The Mumbai civic body has initiated demolition of unauthorised constructions in a posh Prabhadevi high-rise, Rustomjee Crown, following complaints from an RTI activist. The action targets illegal alterations, amalgamation of flats, and conversion of common spaces into habitable areas, with the drive expected to continue over several days.
Rahul Gandhi voiced his disagreement with the selection of Raj Kumar Goyal as Chief Information Commissioner, proposing alternative candidates with extensive experience in public policy and law.
Voicing concern over the circulation of clips of court proceedings on social media without adequate context, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has said that his oral remarks were "misquoted" and misused with "malicious intent" to mislead the youth of the country.
Dipke has clarified the funding of his US education, stating it was supported by a scholarship and an education loan, amidst growing scrutiny and calls for a probe into his finances.
'Now the institutions which have the might of law invested in them think that whatever they do is right.'
The Maharashtra government has approved the deployment of sovereign artificial intelligence solutions from Sarvam AI for its departments, with a two-year outlay of Rs 11.26 crore. This initiative includes the Indus AI workspace for 2,500 users, ensuring government data remains within India, along with citizen outreach agents and speech models for the MahaAI platform.
An RTI query reveals that only a fraction of Delhi's police stations have paralegal volunteers, and their assistance to POCSO victims is minimal, despite Supreme Court directives.
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has publicly challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to disclose his educational degree. Dipke stated he is ready to make his US scholarship and loan documents public if PM Modi reveals his degree, amidst ongoing demands for verification of the Prime Minister's academic qualifications. Dipke also criticised the current political climate, citing concerns about party defections and the use of central agencies.
A Rajya Sabha lawmaker has filed a plea in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi Police's alleged use of facial recognition technology and other biometric surveillance during a recent protest. The plea argues that such surveillance at peaceful assemblies is unconstitutional and lacks legal backing, seeking a declaration against its indiscriminate use and a mechanism for data access and deletion.
Following the Supreme Court's clean chit in the coal block allocation case, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has lauded former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's integrity and accountability, drawing a sharp contrast with the Narendra Modi government's operational style and alleged misuse of investigative agencies.
About 45 km from the tech hub of Bengaluru, the Karnataka government is planning a mega artificial intelligence (AI)-powered city with a budget of more than Rs 18,000 crore. To be spread over 9,000 acres, the project aims to follow the theme "Work, live, play" with technology as its core. At the centre of it are, however, thousands of farmers who are protesting against land acquisition by the government.
The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) has denied an RTI request for data on oil imports from Russia, citing its 'commercial and confidential' nature and exemptions under the RTI Act. The Central Information Commission supported this decision, referencing strategic and economic interests.
An activist was beaten to death and a revenue official was seriously injured in an attack by unidentified men in Palghar district, Maharashtra. The incident occurred near a quarry in Shirgaon, prompting a police investigation into potential motives including land disputes and mining issues.
As activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike at Jantar Mantar entered the sixth day on Friday, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said he appeared "far weaker and more exhausted" and urged supporters across the country to observe a one-day fast in solidarity with the protest.
The murder of a Jalandhar-based RTI activist has sparked outrage and political condemnation in Punjab, with opposition parties criticising the AAP government's handling of law and order.
