Digital News Guru National Desk:
In a significant development for public transparency and the enforcement of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, Raj Kumar Goyal has been sworn in as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the Central Information Commission (CIC) of India. The oath-taking ceremony took place on Monday at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Goyal, marking the formal beginning of his tenure at the helm of India’s premier transparency watchdog.
Who Is Raj Kumar Goyal?
Raj Kumar Goyal is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1990 batch of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre. During his long administrative career, he has held multiple key positions in the Government of India, most notably serving as Secretary in the Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice, from which he retired earlier this year. He has also served as Secretary (Border Management) in the Ministry of Home Affairs, highlighting his extensive experience in governance and public administration.
Goyal succeeds Heeralal Samariya, whose term as CIC ended on 13 September 2025, leaving the post vacant for several months. The appointment of Goyal ensures that the Commission’s leadership is restored after the interregnum, which had raised concerns among transparency activists and RTI proponents about delays in appeal hearings and backlog resolution.
Appointment Process and Leadership Mandate
The appointment followed the statutory procedure prescribed under the Right to Information Act, 2005, which mandates that the President of India appoints the Chief Information Commissioner on the recommendation of a three-member selection committee. This panel was headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Home Minister Amit Shah and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Reports indicate the panel met in December to finalise Goyal’s appointment along with several other key information commissioners to strengthen the Commission’s capacity.
This recommendation underscores the bipartisan nature of the selection process, even though the Leader of the Opposition reportedly submitted a dissent note during the committee’s deliberations over criteria for selection. Nonetheless, the panel moved forward with Goyal’s nomination, signalling confidence in his administrative credentials to lead the Commission.
Central Information Commission Restored to Full Strength
Alongside Goyal’s appointment as CIC, the selection panel also recommended the names of eight new Information Commissioners, bringing the Central Information Commission to its full sanctioned strength for the first time in more than nine years. These new additions include experienced bureaucrats, former services officers and senior professionals, creating a complete bench that can function effectively without the prolonged vacancies that previously hampered its operations.
The CIC can have one Chief Information Commissioner and up to ten Information Commissioners at a time. With the new appointments, the Commission is set to handle the mounting backlog of RTI appeals and complaints more efficiently, a move welcomed by activists and advocates for government transparency.
Role and Importance of the Central Information Commission
The Central Information Commission is a statutory body constituted under the Right to Information Act, 2005, with the mandate to uphold citizens’ right to access information from public authorities. Under the RTI framework, if an applicant is dissatisfied with the response from a Public Information Officer (PIO) or fails to receive information within prescribed timelines, they can file an appeal or complaint with the CIC. The Commission’s decisions in such matters are binding, making its functioning critical for transparency and accountability in public governance.
The CIC also plays a pivotal role in interpreting the provisions of the RTI Act and guiding public authorities on compliance with the law. Its leadership sets the tone for timely adjudication of appeals and ensures that the spirit of the RTI — to empower citizens with information — is upheld.
Challenges and Expectations Ahead
Goyal assumes office at a time when RTI users and activists have increasingly voiced concerns over delays, pendency of cases, and occasional resistance from public authorities in providing information. With the Commission now at full strength, stakeholders expect a renewed focus on reducing backlog and rendering timely decisions. Moreover, restoring confidence in the RTI mechanism is crucial as the law completes two decades of existence, having been instrumental in catalysing transparency and accountability across governance systems in India.
One immediate challenge for Goyal will be managing the influx of pending cases that accumulated during the period when the Commission functioned without a CIC. Civil society groups have pointed out that in some state information commissions, prolonged vacancies have significantly slowed down the resolution process, adversely impacting citizens and transparency efforts. The central body’s full operational capacity now offers an opportunity to mitigate similar issues at the national level.
Reactions from Legal and Civil Society Circles
Legal experts and transparency advocates have generally reacted positively to the appointment, viewing it as a necessary step toward revitalising the RTI regime. Many have highlighted that the full bench, comprising the new CIC and eight Information Commissioners, could significantly reduce appeal wait times and streamline processes for information seekers nationwide.
Observers also note that Goyal’s administrative background — including his tenure in sensitive roles such as Border Management and Justice — places him in a strong position to understand the nuances of governance and information flows within government departments. His leadership is seen not just as administrative stewardship but also as a signal of renewed commitment to the values of transparency, accountability and public trust.
Looking Ahead
As Raj Kumar Goyal takes charge as Chief Information Commissioner, the expectations from the Central Information Commission are high. Citizens, RTI activists, and governance experts alike will be watching closely how the Commission addresses its existing challenges — from cutting down pendency to enhancing adherence to the RTI Act across ministries and public bodies.
His tenure could mark a new chapter in strengthening institutional mechanisms that underpin informational rights in India, fostering an environment where public access to information becomes more robust, responsive and citizen-centric.
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