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+{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(SIC vacancies 2026, state information commission, RTI commissioner vacancies, second appeal backlog)
+metatag-description=(SIC vacancies are at 50%+ in 2026 — second appeal backlogs balloon. State-by-state snapshot and what citizens can do meanwhile.)}}
+====== State Information Commissions — the silent vacancies crisis of 2026 ======
+{{:social:auto:state-information-commissions-vacancies-crisis.png?direct&1200 |State Information Commissions — the silent vacancies crisis of 2026 — RTI Wiki}}
+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.
+===== State-by-state snapshot (April 2026) =====
+  * **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.
+===== Why this matters =====
+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.
+===== What citizens can do =====
+  - **Use First Appeal aggressively** — FAA is your real escalation; do not wait for SIC.
+  - **File a Writ Petition (Article 226)** for time-sensitive matters; HCs are increasingly receptive.
+  - **Coordinate with NGOs & coalitions** — public-interest amici can persuade SIC priority listing.
+  - **PIL for vacancy filling** — citizens have standing under public interest litigation; recent SC orders direct 90-day filling.
+===== Sources =====
+  - SIC websites (April 2026).
+  - Anjali Bhardwaj v. UoI (SC 2019).
+  - SNS Foundation report on RTI commissions 2025.
+//Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.//
+{{tag>blog state-information-commission vacancies second-appeal backlog rti-crisis}}