Census 2027
▪ The Population Census will be completed in 2027, following a delay from its original 2021
schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
▪ Census Phases (2026-2027): The main census exercise will be held in two phases:
✓ Houselisting and Housing Schedule.
✓ Population Enumeration.
▪ This will be India’s first digital Census and the first to enumerate caste in independent India.
20th anniversary of the Right to Information Act, 2005
▪ It was enacted in June 2005 and came into force in October 2005.
▪ The act provides citizens the right to secure access to information under control of Public
Authorities (PAs).
▪ Coordinating agency: Department of Personnel and Training under Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (MoPPG&P).
▪ India enacted the “Freedom of Information Act, 2002” in order to promote, transparency and
accountability in administration.
▪ Later, RTI Act 2005 replaced the Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
▪ ‘Raj Narayan v/s Uttar Pradesh Government’: Supreme Court established the Right to
information as a fundamental right under the Article 19 of Indian Constitution.
▪ Central and State Information Commissions: to oversee its implementation and address
appeals regarding non-disclosure of information.
The Central Information Commission (CIC)
▪ It is a statutory body in India, established under the provisions of the Right to Information Act (2005).
Composition of Central Information Commission (CIC)
▪ The Central Information Commission consists of a Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten Information Commissioners.
▪ They are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a Committee consisting of:
✓ The Prime Minister as the Chairperson,
✓ The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and
✓ A Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
