IndiaWhat data must government publish proactively under RTI?
Under the RTI Act, 2005, public authorities must proactively publish 17 categories of information—including budgets, organisational structure, decision-making processes, and details of subsidies—within 120 days of the Act’s commencement.
What the Law Says
The Right to Information Act, 2005 mandates proactive disclosure by all public authorities to promote transparency and reduce dependence on individual RTI applications.
Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act, 2005 lists 17 specific categories of information that every public authority must publish proactively. This includes the powers and duties of its officers, budget allocations, subsidy programmes, records of decisions taken, and details of facilities available to citizens for obtaining information.
The law requires this information to be updated regularly and made available free of cost — either on notice boards, official websites, or through other accessible means. The initial publication had to be completed within 120 days of the Act’s commencement on 12 October 2005.
Proactive disclosure is not optional: Section 4(1)(a) obligates public authorities to maintain records in a manner that facilitates the right to information, while Section 4(1)(b) sets out the mandatory publication list.
Statutory TextEvery public authority shall proactively disclose, under clause (b), the following information: (i) the particulars of its organisation, functions and duties; (ii) the powers and duties of its officers and employees; (iii) the procedure followed in the decision making process... (xvii) such other information as may be prescribed.
— Right to Information Act, 2005, s. 4(1)(b) — Obligation to maintain and disseminate certain information
What to Do
Check the official website of the concerned public authority for its 'Section 4(1)(b) Disclosure' page.
Verify whether the 17 categories (e.g., budget documents, subsidy beneficiaries, grievance redressal mechanisms) are published and updated.
If information is missing or outdated, file an RTI application citing non-compliance with Section 4(1)(b).
Escalate to the Central/State Information Commission if the authority fails to respond or refuses to comply.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.