The Vignan Institute of Law (VIL), a constituent part of Vignans Foundation for Science, Technology & Research (VFSTR), conducted Workshop on the theme 20 Years of RTI and Good Governance and Practices on 15th March 2026 at Saregama Seminar Hall, N Block, VFSTR. The event was conducted with the objective of spreading awareness about the significance of the Right to Information Act, 2005 and its role in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in democratic administration. The workshop brought together RTI State Information Commissioner, faculty members, legal experts, and law students who engaged in meaningful discussions about the evolution, implementation, and practical applications of the RTI mechanism over the past two decades. The Programme was graced by Andhra Pradesh State Information Commissioner Sri. P. Simhachalam Naidu, Mr. P. Manoj Kumar, Advocate, A.P. High Court, G Vasumathi Poornima, Advocate, Guntur alongside institutional leadership including Dr. Partha Sarothi Rakshit, Director, Vignan Institute of Law, VFSTR and Prof. K. Kalpana, Dean School of Law & Management. The workshop opened with a formal inauguration that set the tone for forward-looking deliberations. The workshop started with the opening remarks by Dr. Partha Sarothi Rakshit, Director, Vignan Institute of Law who welcomed the gathering and highlighted the importance of the Right to Information Act 2005. Dr. Partha Sarothi Rakshit in his opening remarks mentioned that the long title of the RTI Act itself captures its transformative purpose. It describes the legislation asan Act to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. This vision reflects a fundamental democratic principle: governance must be transparent, accountable, and open to public scrutiny. The philosophical foundation of the Right to Information can be traced to important judicial pronouncements by the Supreme Court of India. In State of Uttar Pradesh v. Raj Narain (1975), the Court famously observed that in a government of responsibility, citizens have the right to know about public affairs. This landmark judgment laid the constitutional groundwork for what later evolved into the RTI regime. Dr. Partha Sarothi Rakshit also quoted few of the subsequent decisions have further strengthened and clarified the scope of the right to information. Cases such as CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011), Reserve Bank of India v. Jayantilal N. Mistry (2016), CPIO, Supreme Court of India v. Subhash Chandra Agarwal (2019), and Anjali Bharadwaj v. CPIO, Supreme Court of India (2022) have all highlighted the vital role of transparency in democratic governance and reinforced the public’s right to access information held by authorities. Prof K Kalpana, Dean SLM, VFSTR in her address mentioned that the Right to Information Act, 2005 empowers citizens to access government information, promoting transparency and accountability in public administration. It serves as a practical tool to address everyday issues like delays in services and poor implementation of projects. By enabling citizens to question authorities, RTI helps reduce corruption and ensures proper use of public funds. It also strengthens democratic participation by allowing individuals and communities to monitor government schemes and stay informed about public affairs.

G Vasumathi Poornima, Advocate, Guntur in her address mentioned the role of ethics in our day to day lives and also according to the constitution all the citizens are having certain fundamental duties as well in addition to the rights. She also mentioned that all persons must act ethically in their day-to-day actions and she also mentioned about the emerging conflict between the Data Protection Law of India (DPDP Act 2023) and the Right to Information Act 2005, which creates a confusion of what information should be disclosed and what should not be disclosed to the person seeking the information under the RTI Act 2005. P. Simhachalam Naidu, Andhra Pradesh State Information Commissioner in his address stated that the Right to Information (RTI) Act stands as a cornerstone of democratic governance in India, embodying the principles of transparency, accountability, and citizen empowerment. As a timebound legislation, it mandates prompt access to information held by public authorities, thereby reducing bureaucratic opacity and ensuring that governance remains responsive to the needs of the people. Over the years, the RTI Act has proven to be an indispensable instrument for strengthening democracy and improving the delivery of socio-economic services across the country. He mentioned that the significance of the RTI Act extends beyond mere access to information; it plays a decisive role in shaping the pace of development and enhancing public welfare. When citizens are informed, they are better equipped to participate in governance, question irregularities, and demand accountability. Therefore, the effective implementation of the Act, coupled with widespread awareness, is essential to ensure that its benefits are not confined to a limited section of society but are accessible to all, including marginalized and remote communities. He also quoted that Andhra Pradesh has consistently been at the forefront of governance innovation. From the early introduction of e-governance initiatives like eSeva to the decentralization of administrative services, the state has made notable strides in bringing governance closer to citizens. From the perspective of an Information Commissioner, the transformative power of the RTI Act is evident in everyday functioning. A nominal application fee of ten rupees has enabled ordinary citizens to challenge entrenched bureaucratic systems. Over the past two decades, countless cases have demonstrated how a simple RTI application filed from a remote village or a tribal region such as Araku can achieve outcomes that would otherwise require prolonged efforts and repeated visits to government offices. The Act has been instrumental in exposing land irregularities, ensuring proper implementation of welfare schemes like the Midday Meal Scheme, and uncovering instances of administrative lapses. As of 2026, new challenges and complexities have emerged. The advent of the Digital Personal Data Protection framework necessitates a careful balance between transparency and privacy. While the protection of personal data is essential, it must not become a barrier to exposing corruption or safeguarding public interest. Maintaining this balance is critical to preserving the integrity and effectiveness of the RTI regime. Furthermore, as governance increasingly shifts towards digital platforms, there is a pressing need to ensure inclusivity and accessibility. RTI portals must be designed to accommodate users from diverse backgrounds, including the elderly and those unfamiliar with technology. Providing interfaces in regional languages such as Telugu, ensuring user-friendly navigation, and building robust systems capable of handling large volumes of requests are essential steps in this direction. He mentioned that efforts are also underway to reduce pendency and expedite the disposal of appeals through the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced data management systems. The goal of achieving zero pendency reflects a commitment to timely justice and efficient service delivery, reinforcing public trust in the system. Ultimately, the RTI Act should be viewed not merely as a legal provision but as a diagnostic tool for democracy one that identifies inefficiencies, exposes wrongdoing, and drives systemic improvements. It empowers citizens to actively engage with governance and fosters a culture of accountability. A significant component of the workshop was the live demonstration sessions that were organized to familiarize participants with the practical aspects of filing RTI applications. During these sessions, Mr. P. Manoj Kumar, Advocate, AP High Court and Mr. Abhinav Deep, Assistant Professor, VIL demonstrated the process of submitting requests through the official RTI Online Portal. Participants were guided step-by-step on how to register on the portal, select the appropriate public authority, draft queries effectively, and track the status of their applications. The demonstrations provided hands-on exposure, enabling students to understand the procedural aspects of the RTI system and encouraging them to actively use this legal tool in the future. In addition to the live demonstrations, the workshop also included an RTI Drafting Competition aimed at enhancing students’ practical legal skills. Participants were tasked with preparing RTI applications on various hypothetical issues related to governance, public services, and administrative accountability. The competition encouraged students to apply their theoretical knowledge in drafting precise and legally sound RTI queries. The workshop proved to be an enriching academic experience for the participants. The workshop was attended by 90 VIL law students. By combining theoretical discussions with practical demonstrations and competitive activities, the event successfully highlighted the importance of RTI in ensuring transparency and promoting good governance. The initiative by Vignan Institute of Law, VFSTR reinforced the role of legal education in empowering students with practical knowledge and encouraging them to become responsible citizens who actively participate in democratic governance. The workshop concluded with a note of appreciation and vote of thanks for the speakers, organizers, and participants who contributed to making the event informative and impactful.