A recent assessment of transparency mechanisms in India has brought the growing backlog of Right to Information (RTI) cases to the forefront. According to the 'Report Card on the Performance of Information Commissions in India 2025-26', published by the voluntary organisation Satark Nagrik Sangathan, there were more than 3.85 lakh appeals and complaints pending across 28 information commissions as of June 30, 2026.
The report provides a comprehensive look at the operational efficiency of these bodies, which are responsible for upholding the RTI Act. Findings indicate that the path to justice for information seekers is increasingly obstructed by time-related hurdles. Alarmingly, the study notes that 14 of these commissions have an estimated waiting period of one year or more to dispose of a single matter, a delay that critics argue undermines the fundamental objective of the transparency law.
The data compiled for the report was sourced through information obtained under the RTI Act, covering 29 commissions across the country. Between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, 27 of these commissions registered a total of 2,61,669 new appeals and complaints. During that same twelve-month window, 28 commissions were successful in disposing of 2,41,627 cases, reflecting a significant volume of work even as the total pile of pending cases remained high.
When comparing current figures to the previous year, the report shows a slight reduction in the total backlog. As of June 30, 2025, the number of pending appeals and complaints across 29 commissions stood at more than 4.13 lakh. While this indicates a downward trend in total pendency, the sustained volume of cases highlights the ongoing struggle to clear the existing inventory of grievances.
Regional performance varied significantly across the country. The State Information Commission (SIC) of Maharashtra recorded the highest number of case disposals, closing 54,985 matters. It was followed by the SICs of Karnataka, which disposed of 38,656 cases; Tamil Nadu, with 23,808; and Uttar Pradesh, with 21,528. The Central Information Commission (CIC) managed to dispose of 17,319 cases during the same period.
Despite these efforts, some regions continued to carry the heaviest caseloads. Maharashtra’s SIC also reported the highest number of pending appeals and complaints at 77,000, followed by the commissions in Chhattisgarh and Bihar. Furthermore, the backlog at the Central Information Commission has seen a notable increase, rising to 39,121 pending cases by June 30, 2026, compared to 24,102 on the same date the previous year.
The persistence of these backlogs raises questions about the capacity of information commissions to function effectively under the current legislative framework. As these bodies serve as the final appellate authorities for citizens seeking information from public authorities, the efficiency of their operations is vital to the health of Indian democracy. The findings from the Satark Nagrik Sangathan report suggest that without a substantial increase in resources or operational reforms, the waiting period for citizens is unlikely to see any immediate or meaningful reduction.
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