Delhi High Court, Supreme Court, and Home Ministry Top List of RTI Application Rejectors in 2024-25
In a significant revelation by the Central Information Commission (CIC), key judicial and governmental bodies, including the Delhi High Court, Supreme Court, and the Ministry of Home Affairs, have been identified as leading authorities in rejecting Right to Information (RTI) applications during the fiscal year 2024-25. This data underscores ongoing challenges in transparency and public access to information within India's highest echelons of power.
Finance Ministry Records High Volume of Applications and Rejections
The Ministry of Finance emerged as a focal point in the CIC report, receiving an overwhelming 2,20,283 RTI applications, the highest among all authorities. Out of these, the ministry rejected 18,734 requests, which translates to a rejection rate of 8.50 per cent. This substantial number highlights the immense public interest in financial matters and the complexities involved in processing such a high volume of information queries.
Key Findings from the CIC Report:
- The Delhi High Court, Supreme Court, and Ministry of Home Affairs are prominently listed among the top rejectors of RTI applications.
- These institutions have faced criticism for their handling of transparency requests, raising concerns about accountability and openness in governance.
- The report, based on data up to February 2026, points to systemic issues in the implementation of the RTI Act across various sectors.
Implications for Transparency and Governance
This trend of high rejection rates by critical bodies like the judiciary and key ministries poses serious questions about the effectiveness of the RTI framework in promoting transparency. The RTI Act, enacted to empower citizens and ensure government accountability, appears to be encountering significant hurdles when applied to institutions at the highest levels of authority.
Experts argue that such rejections may stem from various factors, including:
- Legal exemptions under the RTI Act that allow for non-disclosure in certain sensitive cases.
- Operational challenges in managing and responding to the sheer volume of applications.
- Potential reluctance to share information that could be perceived as controversial or critical.
The CIC's findings call for a renewed focus on streamlining RTI processes and enhancing compliance among all public authorities to uphold the spirit of the law.
