RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005: A BRIDGE BETWEEN CITIZENS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION-MAKING IN INDIA

The Right to Information Act, 2005 has emerged as an essential legal framework for promoting transparency, accountability, and participatory democracy in India. This article examines the historical evolution and constitutional foundation of the Act and highlights how the demand for transparency developed from grassroots movements into a statutory right guaranteed to citizens. The article primarily focuses on the role of the RTI Act as a bridge connecting citizens with administrative authorities by enabling public participation in governance, ensuring access to governmental information, and strengthening accountability in administrative decision-making. It further discusses the significance of RTI in reducing corruption, improving administrative efficiency, empowering informed citizenship, and promoting good governance in a democratic society. In addition, the article analyses the major challenges affecting the implementation of the Act, including privacy concerns, bureaucratic reluctance, judicial inconsistencies, institutional delays, and threats faced by RTI activists. The study concludes that despite several practical challenges, the RTI Act continues to function as an important instrument for strengthening democratic governance and fostering a transparent relationship between citizens and the State.