Previous Year Question

The Right to Information Act, 2005 received Presidential assent on 15 June 2005. India Code records it as Act No. 22 of 2005, with the enactment date as 15 June 2005.

The Act was enacted to provide citizens access to information under the control of public authorities and to promote transparency and accountability in their functioning. It also provides for the Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions.

The distinction between 15 June and 12 October 2005 is particularly important. 15 June 2005 is the date of Presidential assent/enactment, whereas most provisions of the Act came into force on the 120th day after enactment, 12 October 2005. Certain specified provisions came into force immediately.

The Lok Sabha passed the RTI Bill on 11 May 2005, and the Rajya Sabha passed it on 12 May 2005. Presidential assent followed on 15 June 2005. Thus, the question specifically asks for the date of Presidential assent, not the date on which the full operational regime commenced.

Thus—

President's Assent → 15 June 2005
Major provisions effective → 12 October 2005