UPSC Mains 2019 · GS IV · Q4(b) · 10 marks · 150 words

There is a view that the Official Secrets Act is an obstacle to the implementation of Right to Information Act. Do you agree with the view ? Discuss.

हिन्दी में

एक विचार यह है कि शासकीय गुप्त बात अधिनियम सूचना के अधिकार अधिनियम के क्रियान्वयन में एक बाधा है । क्या आप इस विचार से सहमत हैं ? विवेचना कीजिए ।

Transparency and Information

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “The effective implementation of the Right to Information Act will create an environment of vigilance which will help in functioning of a more participatory democracy. Elaborate.”

Akshat JainAIR 2 · CSE 2018 · 77 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a constitutional or legal provision

As per the 2nd ARC, the Right to Information Act (RTI) is like a MASTER KEY TO GOVERNANCE.

Body · points and prose

Diagram
Flowchart: Why its effective implementation is needed - Create a vibrant democracy where citizens hold representatives accountable - RTI is a fundamental right, part of Article 21, as declared by SC - Deter corruption and unethical practices - Enhance the citizen-centric government interface - Enhance public trust

Steps needed

  1. Repeal or modify pre-RTI acts like Official Secrets Act, that go against its spirit

  2. Enhance the scope of RTI

  3. Strengthen and simplify the information retrieval process

  4. Empower the CIC - Chief Information Commission - to hold negligent public organisations responsible

Close · a way forward

If the above is achieved, RTI will help us achieve a true democracy.

4 more toppers’ answers to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper IV, Q4(b). The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.