← 18 October 2026's Current Affairs · Polity GA Prelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★☆☆
RTI Act amendment through the data protection law faces court challenge
ਖ਼ਬਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਉਂ?
Can a privacy law override transparency? The DPDP Act's change to RTI Section 8(1)(j) for GS-II
Challenges to the DPDP Act's amendment of RTI Section 8(1)(j) test the balance between privacy and transparency.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2018
What you need to know
2 ਮਿੰਟ
Petitions before the Supreme Court challenge the amendment made to Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
Section 8(1)(j) exempts personal information that has no relationship to any public activity or would cause unwarranted invasion of privacy.
Petitioners argue the change could shield information about public officials, while the government says it harmonises privacy and transparency.
ਸਰੋਤ: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ਮੁੱਖ ਤੱਥ
Remember these
- Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, 2005 exempts personal information unrelated to any public activity or causing unwarranted invasion of privacy.
- The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 amended Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.
- Petitions in the Supreme Court challenge this amendment.
- Petitioners argue it could shield information about public officials; the government says it harmonises privacy and transparency.
- The Central Information Commission is a statutory body under the RTI Act, 2005.
ਪ੍ਰੀਲਿਮਜ਼ · ਮੇਨਜ਼
How the exam will ask it
ਪ੍ਰੀਲਿਮਜ਼
- Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, 2005 exempts personal information that has no relationship to any public activity or would cause unwarranted invasion of privacy.
- The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 amended Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.
- The Central Information Commission is a statutory, not constitutional, body constituted under the RTI Act, 2005.
ਮੇਨਜ਼
GS-II (Governance, Transparency and Accountability): the issue is the tension between the right to privacy and the right to information. The DPDP Act, 2023 amended RTI Section 8(1)(j), and critics say it may shield information about public officials, while the government calls it a harmonisation. The way forward is a clear public-interest test, with personal data of officials in their public role kept disclosable, and a Supreme Court ruling that balances both rights.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
Consider the following statements:
- 'Right to Privacy' is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution
- In digital economy, privacy of an individual is subject to a reasonable restriction that can be imposed by the state
- The Parliament is empowered to make laws for implementing directive principles of state policy
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
ਜਵਾਬ ਵੇਖੋ
ਜਵਾਬ: D
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Consider the following statements:
- The Central Information Commission is a statutory body constituted under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
- The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 amended Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which deals with exemption of personal information.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
ਜਵਾਬ ਵੇਖੋ
ਜਵਾਬ: C — The correct answer is Both 1 and 2. The Central Information Commission is a statutory body under the RTI Act, 2005, and the DPDP Act, 2023 amended Section 8(1)(j).
Convert this topic into marks
Today's 10-MCQ test · instant analysis · Powered by AdaptIQ