Chapter 21: The Right to Information Act, 2005 (JAIIB – Paper 2)

1. The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 is applicable to:

• A. Only private companies
• B. Only banks
• C. Public authorities, including government and certain organizations
• D. Any individual or NGO

The RTI Act applies to public authorities, which include government bodies, banks, and other organizations substantially funded or controlled by the government.

2. Which of the following is defined as "information" under the RTI Act?

• A. Only printed documents
• B. Any material in any form, including records, documents, emails, and electronic data
• C. Verbal statements only
• D. Bank account balances only

Information under RTI includes records in any form—written, electronic, or pictorial, covering documents, emails, contracts, or other data maintained by a public authority.

3. Who is responsible for providing information under the RTI Act in a public authority?

• A. The Minister only
• B. Any employee of the authority
• C. The citizens themselves
• D. Public Information Officer (PIO)

Every public authority appoints a Public Information Officer (PIO) who is responsible for receiving RTI requests and providing information within the stipulated time.

4. A "Right to Information" request should be responded to within:

• A. 30 days
• B. 60 days
• C. 90 days
• D. 120 days

The RTI Act mandates that information must be provided within 30 days from the receipt of the request. If it concerns the life or liberty of a person, it must be given within 48 hours.

5. Which of the following is NOT covered under the definitions of RTI Act?

• A. Records maintained by a public authority
• B. Personal opinions of a government employee not recorded officially
• C. Contracts signed by the authority
• D. Manuals and circulars issued by the authority

Personal opinions, if not recorded officially or maintained as part of public records, are not covered under RTI.

6. Which of the following is a key obligation of a public authority under the RTI Act?

• A. Collecting taxes from citizens
• B. Appointing ministers
• C. Maintaining records and providing information proactively
• D. Conducting elections

Public authorities are required to maintain records properly, publish key information proactively, and provide access to citizens who request it.

7. Who is responsible for receiving and processing RTI applications in a public authority?

• A. Finance Officer
• B. Public Information Officer (PIO)
• C. Auditor
• D. Head Clerk

Every public authority must designate a Public Information Officer (PIO) to receive and handle RTI requests within the stipulated timeframe.

8. What is the maximum time allowed for a Public Information Officer to provide information after receiving a request?

• A. 30 days
• B. 45 days
• C. 60 days
• D. 15 days

Under the RTI Act, the PIO must provide the requested information within 30 days from the receipt of the application. If the matter concerns life or liberty, it must be provided within 48 hours.

9. In addition to a PIO, who may be appointed to assist in providing information in a public authority?

• A. Finance Manager
• B. Deputy Auditor
• C. Head of Department only
• D. Assistant Public Information Officer (APIO)

Public authorities may designate Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs) to help the PIO in receiving and providing information.

10. A public authority must publish the following information proactively EXCEPT:

• A. Organization structure and functions
• B. Personal opinions of staff not officially recorded
• C. Budget and expenditure details
• D. Rules, regulations, and manuals

Proactive disclosure includes official information such as structure, functions, manuals, budgets, and regulations. Personal opinions of staff are not required to be published.

11. To obtain information under the RTI Act, a citizen must submit a request to:

• A. Any government official
• B. Local police station
• C. Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned authority
• D. Supreme Court only

Requests for information under the RTI Act must be submitted to the PIO of the concerned public authority, who is authorized to process the application.

12. Which of the following is TRUE regarding the format of an RTI application?

• A. It must be handwritten in blue ink only
• B. It must be filed in person only
• C. It cannot be submitted online
• D. It can be submitted in writing or electronically, with proper fee

An RTI application can be submitted in writing or electronically through email/online portal along with the prescribed fee.

13. The PIO must dispose of a request for information by:

• A. Ignoring it if deemed unnecessary
• B. Providing the information or valid reasons for denial within the stipulated time
• C. Forwarding it to another citizen
• D. Submitting it to the police

The PIO must provide the requested information, or issue a valid denial with reasons, within 30 days (or 48 hours in case of life/livelihood related matters).

14. If the requested information concerns the life or liberty of a person, the PIO must provide it within:

• A. 48 hours
• B. 7 days
• C. 30 days
• D. 10 days

For matters involving life or liberty, the RTI Act requires the PIO to provide information urgently, within 48 hours.

15. If the PIO fails to provide information within the specified time without valid reason, the applicant can:

• A. Approach the local police station
• B. Submit another application immediately to the same PIO
• C. File an appeal with the First Appellate Authority or approach the Central/State Information Commission
• D. Ignore the matter

If information is not provided, the applicant can file a first appeal with the designated First Appellate Authority or approach the State/Central Information Commission.

16. If an applicant is not satisfied with the response of the PIO, he/she can file an appeal with:

• A. Local police station
• B. First Appellate Authority within the public authority
• C. Supreme Court directly
• D. State Election Commission

The first appeal is filed with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) within the same public authority if the PIO's response is unsatisfactory or delayed.

17. How long does the First Appellate Authority have to dispose of an appeal under the RTI Act?

• A. 15 days
• B. 30 days
• C. 45 days
• D. 30–45 days as per applicable rules

The FAA is required to dispose of the appeal within 30–45 days from the date of filing, as specified in the RTI rules.

18. If the applicant is still dissatisfied after the first appeal, he/she can approach:

• A. Local MLA
• B. District Collector
• C. Central or State Information Commission
• D. Public Auditor

The applicant can file a second appeal with the Central Information Commission (for central public authorities) or the State Information Commission (for state authorities).

19. Which of the following powers does the Central Information Commission (CIC) possess?

• A. Order disclosure of information and impose penalties on PIOs
• B. Amend laws and regulations
• C. Appoint ministers
• D. Conduct elections

The CIC can direct public authorities to disclose information, ensure compliance, and impose penalties on PIOs for non-compliance.

20. The Central Information Commission is headed by:

• A. Chief Justice of India
• B. Chief Information Commissioner
• C. Finance Minister
• D. President of India

The Central Information Commission is headed by the Chief Information Commissioner, assisted by Information Commissioners appointed by the President of India.

21. Who heads the State Information Commission?

• A. Chief Justice of the State High Court
• B. Governor of the State
• C. State Chief Information Commissioner
• D. State Finance Minister

Each State Information Commission is headed by a State Chief Information Commissioner, assisted by State Information Commissioners appointed by the Governor.

22. What penalty can be imposed on a Public Information Officer for not providing information without reasonable cause?

• A. Warning only
• B. Suspension from duty
• C. Monetary fine up to ₹50,000 only
• D. Monetary penalty up to ₹25,000

Under Section 20 of the RTI Act, a PIO can be penalized up to ₹25,000 for failing to provide information without reasonable cause.

23. Apart from monetary penalties, what other action can the Information Commission direct against a PIO?

• A. Termination of employment
• B. Censure or disciplinary action
• C. Imprisonment
• D. Confiscation of property

The Information Commission may direct the PIO to be censured or recommend disciplinary action under service rules in addition to imposing a monetary penalty.

24. Which statement is TRUE regarding the overriding effect of the RTI Act?

• A. The RTI Act has overriding effect over other laws to the extent of inconsistency
• B. Other laws have priority over RTI Act
• C. RTI Act applies only if other laws permit it
• D. RTI Act has no overriding effect

Section 23 of the RTI Act states that the Act shall have overriding effect over other laws to the extent of any inconsistency, ensuring citizens' right to information is upheld.

25. Which of the following is TRUE about appeals under the RTI Act at the State level?

• A. Appeals can be filed directly to the Supreme Court only
• B. Appeals cannot be filed against State PIOs
• C. Second appeals can be filed with the State Information Commission if unsatisfied with the FAA
• D. Appeals are not allowed under RTI Act

Citizens may file second appeals with the State Information Commission if they are not satisfied with the decision of the First Appellate Authority.