The Right to Information Act lives or dies at the Information Commission. In 2026, most state commissions are running at half-strength or worse. Here is the picture.

• Bihar — 0 of 10 posts filled; commission paralysed since November 2025.
• Karnataka — 4 of 11 filled; backlog 22,000 second appeals.
• Maharashtra — 7 of 11 filled; backlog 28,000.
• Rajasthan — 5 of 10; backlog ~14,000.
• Uttar Pradesh — 8 of 11; backlog 45,000+ (largest in India).
• Tamil Nadu — full strength; backlog 8,000.
• Kerala — 9 of 11; backlog 6,000 (best ratio).
• Delhi — 6 of 10; backlog 11,500.

The CIC has affirmed (and the Supreme Court has reiterated) that the Right to Information without an enforceable redressal is no right at all. With backlogs of 12-30 months, citizens turn away.

1. Use First Appeal aggressively — FAA is your real escalation; do not wait for SIC.
2. File a Writ Petition (Article 226) for time-sensitive matters; HCs are increasingly receptive.
3. Coordinate with NGOs & coalitions — public-interest amici can persuade SIC priority listing.
4. PIL for vacancy filling — citizens have standing under public interest litigation; recent SC orders direct 90-day filling.

1. SIC websites (April 2026).
2. Anjali Bhardwaj v. UoI (SC 2019).
3. SNS Foundation report on RTI commissions 2025.

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.