← 21 October 2026's Current Affairs · Polity GA Prelims ★★★★★ Mains ★★★☆☆
Petitions challenge the RTI Act amendment on personal information
ਖ਼ਬਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਉਂ?
Privacy versus transparency: the Section 8(1)(j) RTI clause now before the Supreme Court, explained for GS-II
Petitions contest the amendment to the RTI Act's personal-information exemption made via the DPDP Act, 2023.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2018; factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 ਮਿੰਟ
Petitions before the Supreme Court challenge the change made to the Right to Information Act, 2005 through the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
The change concerns Section 8(1)(j), the clause that exempts personal information with no link to public activity or interest.
The challenge sets the right to privacy against the citizen's right to transparency.
ਸਰੋਤ: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ਮੁੱਖ ਤੱਥ
Remember these
- Right to Information Act, 2005 gives citizens a legal right to seek information from public authorities.
- Section 8(1)(j) exempts personal information having no relationship to any public activity or interest.
- The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 amended the RTI Act's personal-information exemption.
- Petitions in the Supreme Court challenge this amendment, setting privacy against transparency.
- Privacy was held a fundamental right under Article 21 in Puttaswamy (2017).
ਪ੍ਰੀਲਿਮਜ਼ · ਮੇਨਜ਼
How the exam will ask it
ਪ੍ਰੀਲਿਮਜ਼
- Statement: Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, 2005 exempts personal information that has no relationship to any public activity or interest.
- Statement: The DPDP Act, 2023 changed the personal-information exemption in the RTI Act, and this change is under challenge before the Supreme Court.
- Statement: Section 8(1)(j) is one of the exemptions in Section 8 of the RTI Act; other clauses cover sovereignty, Cabinet papers and information received in confidence from a foreign government.
ਮੇਨਜ਼
GS-II (Transparency and accountability; RTI; privacy). The issue is the clash between the citizen's right to know and the right to privacy after the DPDP Act, 2023 changed Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. The provision must be read with the Puttaswamy privacy ruling and the public-interest balance. A way forward is a narrowly drawn exemption with a clear public-interest test, so that accountability of public officials is not weakened.
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
Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 exempts from disclosure:
- Information whose disclosure would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India
- Cabinet papers recording the deliberations of the Council of Ministers and Secretaries
- Information received in confidence from a foreign government or its representatives
- Personal information having no relationship to any public activity or interest
ਜਵਾਬ ਵੇਖੋ
ਜਵਾਬ: D — The correct answer is personal information having no relationship to any public activity or interest. Section 8(1)(j) shields such information, or information whose disclosure would invade privacy without a larger public interest.
Convert this topic into marks
Today's 10-MCQ test · instant analysis · Powered by AdaptIQ