On December 15, 2025, Raj Kumar Goyal was sworn in as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the Central Information Commission (CIC). This significant event was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu officiated the ceremony, marking a pivotal moment for the country's transparency and accountability regime under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by numerous prominent figures, including Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P K Mishra, and Minister of State for Personnel Dr. Jitendra Singh. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) later confirmed Goyal's appointment through an official notification, stating that he assumed office on the morning of December 15, 2025.
As per the provisions of the RTI Act, the Chief Information Commissioner is appointed for a tenure of three years. Goyal, a 1990-batch IAS officer, has previously served as the Justice Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice and has had notable postings in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He is originally from the Jammu & Kashmir cadre and later transitioned to the AGMUT cadre.
The appointment of the CIC is conducted by the President of India, based on recommendations from a committee that includes:
This committee also recommends candidates for the position of Information Commissioners.
The Central Information Commission is empowered by the Right to Information Act, 2005. Its primary role is to ensure transparency and accountability in public authorities by addressing appeals and complaints concerning information requests. The Commission is led by the Chief Information Commissioner and can include a maximum of 10 Information Commissioners. Currently, Anandi Ramalingam and Vinod Kumar Tiwari serve as Information Commissioners.
Alongside Goyal's appointment, several candidates have been recommended for the role of Information Commissioners. Notable names include:
These appointments are vital for the Commission to operate effectively and tackle the increasing backlog of RTI appeals and complaints, reinforcing the commitment to transparency in governance.
Q1. What is the role of the Chief Information Commissioner?
Answer: The Chief Information Commissioner oversees the Central Information Commission, ensuring transparency and accountability in public authorities by adjudicating RTI appeals and complaints.
Q2. How is the Chief Information Commissioner appointed?
Answer: The Chief Information Commissioner is appointed by the President of India based on recommendations from a committee comprising the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, and Leader of Opposition.
Q3. What is the tenure of the Chief Information Commissioner?
Answer: The tenure of the Chief Information Commissioner is three years, as stipulated by the Right to Information Act, 2005.
Q4. Who are the current Information Commissioners?
Answer: Currently, Anandi Ramalingam and Vinod Kumar Tiwari serve as Information Commissioners in the Central Information Commission.
Q5. Why is transparency important in governance?
Answer: Transparency is crucial in governance as it enhances public trust, encourages accountability, and ensures that government actions are open to scrutiny.
Question 1: Who administers the oath to the Chief Information Commissioner?
A) Prime Minister
B) President of India
C) Leader of Opposition
D) Minister of Home Affairs
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What is the maximum number of Information Commissioners in the CIC?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 10
D) 15
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: Which act empowers the Central Information Commission?
A) Right to Information Act, 2000
B) Right to Information Act, 2005
C) Information Technology Act, 2000
D) Transparency in Governance Act, 2010
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: How long is the tenure of the Chief Information Commissioner?
A) 2 years
B) 3 years
C) 4 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: Who is the current Chief Information Commissioner as of December 2025?
A) Anandi Ramalingam
B) Raj Kumar Goyal
C) Vinod Kumar Tiwari
D) Jaya Verma Sinha
Correct Answer: B
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