Raj Kumar Goyal Takes Charge as Chief Information Commissioner

Appointment of the New CIC

Raj Kumar Goyal Takes Charge as Chief Information Commissioner: Former Justice Secretary Raj Kumar Goyal has assumed charge as the Chief Information Commissioner of India. He took oath on December 15, 2025, marking a crucial development in India’s transparency framework.

The oath was administered by President Droupadi Murmu, formally filling a long-vacant constitutional position. The post had remained vacant since September 2025, following the completion of tenure by the previous CIC.

Swearing-in Ceremony and Notification

The swearing-in ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of senior constitutional and executive dignitaries. Among those present were Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P. K. Mishra, and Minister of State for Personnel Dr. Jitendra Singh.

Later the same day, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an official notification. The notification clarified that Raj Kumar Goyal assumed office from the forenoon of December 15, 2025.

Tenure Under RTI Act

As per the Right to Information Act, 2005, the tenure of the Chief Information Commissioner is three years. The CIC plays a decisive role in ensuring citizens’ access to information and strengthening accountability mechanisms.

Static GK fact: The tenure and service conditions of the CIC are governed by Section 13 of the RTI Act, 2005.

Administrative Background of Raj Kumar Goyal

Raj Kumar Goyal is a 1990-batch IAS officer with extensive administrative experience. He previously served as Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice, handling key legal and judicial reforms.

His earlier postings include assignments in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He originally belonged to the Jammu and Kashmir cadre and was later allocated to the AGMUT cadre.

Appointment Process Under RTI Act

The appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner is made by the President of India. The selection is based on the recommendation of a high-powered committee.

The committee consists of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Union Home Minister, and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The same committee also recommends appointments of Information Commissioners.

Static GK Tip: The appointment mechanism is provided under Section 12(3) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Role of the Central Information Commission

The Central Information Commission is a statutory body established under the RTI Act, 2005. It adjudicates appeals and complaints related to denial or delay of information by public authorities.

The Commission is headed by the Chief Information Commissioner and may have up to 10 Information Commissioners. At present, Anandi Ramalingam and Vinod Kumar Tiwari are serving as Information Commissioners.

Strengthening the Commission

Alongside the new CIC, several names have been recommended as Information Commissioners. These include Jaya Verma Sinha, Swagat Das, Sanjeev Kumar Jindal, Surendra Singh Meena, and Khushwant Singh Sethi.

These appointments are expected to help reduce the backlog of RTI appeals and complaints. A fully functional Commission is vital for effective implementation of the transparency law.

Institutional Significance

The appointment of Raj Kumar Goyal comes at a time when the RTI framework faces increasing pressure due to pendency and administrative constraints. His legal-administrative background is expected to bring stability and efficiency to the institution.

Static GK fact: The Central Information Commission started functioning in 2005, following the enactment of the RTI Act.

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Raj Kumar Goyal Takes Charge as Chief Information Commissioner: