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—definitions:sic [2026/06/03 17:01] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(State Information Commission, SIC RTI India, what is SIC RTI, SIC full form, state RTI appeal, second appeal state RTI)
 +metatag-description=(A State Information Commission (SIC) is the state-level quasi-judicial body under the RTI Act that hears Second Appeals and Complaints against state government public authorities in each state.)
 +metatag-title=(What is a State Information Commission (SIC)?)}}
  
 +====== What is a State Information Commission (SIC)? ======
 +
 +<WRAP center round tip 95%>
 +**Direct answer:** A State Information Commission (SIC) is the apex quasi-judicial body constituted under §15 of the RTI Act, 2005 in each state and UT, equivalent to the CIC at the state level. It hears Second Appeals (§19(3)) and Complaints (§18) against state public authorities — state government departments, municipalities, state PSUs, and state-funded bodies.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== In plain English =====
 +
 +India has one CIC at the national level and 28 SICs (one for each state/UT that has set one up). The SIC is for RTI matters involving state governments — everything from your local municipal corporation to the state police, state education department, or state-level PSU.
 +
 +The SIC is headed by the State Chief Information Commissioner and can have multiple State Information Commissioners. It functions like the CIC — a quasi-judicial body with binding powers, penalty authority, and the ability to award compensation.
 +
 +**Example:** Deepa files an RTI with the Tamil Nadu Health Department about a government hospital's drug procurement. The PIO refuses. The FAA upholds the refusal. Deepa files a Second Appeal with the Tamil Nadu SIC. The SIC orders disclosure and imposes a penalty on the PIO.
 +
 +===== Key differences: CIC vs SIC =====
 +
 +| **Feature** | **CIC** | **SIC** |
 +| Jurisdiction | Central public authorities | State public authorities |
 +| Constituted under | §12 RTI Act | §15 RTI Act |
 +| Filing portal | [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]] | State-specific (varies) |
 +| Backlog | High nationally | Varies — some states very backlogged |
 +
 +===== Why it matters for citizens =====
 +
 +  * **Most citizens' RTIs are state matters** — roads, water, schools, health, land records, ration cards — all go to the SIC, not the CIC.
 +  * **SIC quality varies widely by state.** Some SICs (Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan) are considered active; others have significant vacancies or backlogs.
 +  * **SIC commissioner vacancies are a known problem.** Several states have functioned with zero or one commissioner. If the SIC in your state is non-functional, you can petition the High Court for mandamus.
 +  * **Second Appeals to SIC are free** — no fee whatsoever.
 +
 +===== Related sections of the RTI Act =====
 +
 +  * **§15** — constitution of SICs.
 +  * **§16** — tenure of State Information Commissioners.
 +  * **§19(3)** — Second Appeal to SIC within 90 days of FAA order.
 +  * **§18(1)** — Complaint to SIC.
 +  * **§19(8)** — SIC powers (same as CIC — penalty, compensation, disclosure orders).
 +
 +===== Related tools =====
 +
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|First Appeal Builder]] — prerequisite Second Appeal step.
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/timeline-calculator-app.html|Timeline Calculator]] — 90-day Second Appeal window.
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/state-rti-portals-directory|State RTI portals directory]] — links to each state's SIC portal.
 +
 +===== Frequently asked questions =====
 +
 +==== How do I find my state's SIC? ====
 +Each state has its own SIC portal. The [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/state-rti-portals-directory|State RTI Portals Directory]] lists all 28 active SIC portals with direct filing links.
 +
 +==== What if my state's SIC has vacancies and is not functioning? ====
 +This is a known constitutional issue. You can file a writ petition in the relevant High Court for a mandamus directing the state government to fill SIC vacancies. Civil society organisations have successfully obtained such orders in multiple states.
 +
 +==== Can I appeal an SIC order further? ====
 +Yes — to the relevant High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution, and ultimately to the Supreme Court. SIC orders are quasi-judicial and are subject to judicial review.
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  * Right to Information Act, 2005 — §§15, 16, 18, 19, 20
 +  * State RTI portals (state-specific)
 +  * Supreme Court: Namit Sharma v. Union of India (2012) on SIC composition
 +
 +//Last reviewed: May 2026. Part of the RTI Wiki definitions series.//
 +
 +{{tag>definitions sic state-information-commission rti-act 2026}}