Central Information Commission
Composition, Powers, and Functions
The Central Information Commission (CIC) is a statutory body established under Section 12 of the Right to Information Act, 2005. It serves as the highest appellate authority for RTI matters concerning Central Government bodies. The CIC exercises quasi-judicial powers and its decisions are binding.
- Composition: Chief Information Commissioner + up to 10 Information Commissioners (Section 12).
- Appointment: By the President, on the recommendation of a committee comprising the Prime Minister (Chairperson), Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM.
- Qualifications: Persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media, or administration and governance.
- Term: 3 years (reduced from 5 years by the RTI Amendment Act, 2019), not eligible for reappointment; retirement age of 65 years.
- Section 18: CIC receives and inquires into complaints regarding RTI access -- powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure (Section 18(3)).
- Section 19: CIC is the second appellate authority. First appeal lies to a senior officer within the public authority (30 days); second appeal to CIC (90 days).
- Section 20: CIC can impose penalties of Rs. 250 per day up to a maximum of Rs. 25,000 on errant Public Information Officers.
● Tracked since March 05, 2026 · last seen May 23, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
See it in today’s brief.
Daily current affairs with every static concept explained in place.
Read the daily brief