India's information commissions grapple with 3.85 lakh pending cases

The latest assessment of India's right to information infrastructure shows persistent challenges in case resolution across the country's information commissions. According to the 'Report Card on the Performance of Information Commissions in India, 2025-26,' a total of 3,85,716 appeals and complaints were pending as of June 30, 2026, indicating a decline from the 4,13,972 cases recorded in the previous year.

While the year-on-year reduction suggests some progress in clearing the backlog, the absolute numbers underscore the strain on these quasi-judicial bodies tasked with ensuring transparency and accountability under the Right to Information Act. The commissions, operating across 28 jurisdictions, continue to face resource constraints and capacity challenges that hamper their ability to resolve cases expeditiously.

The performance report, which evaluates the functioning of information commissions, provides insights into the institutional health of India's transparency mechanism. The lingering backlog raises concerns about citizens' ability to access timely information and decisions on their appeals, potentially undermining the efficacy of the RTI framework.

Experts have long flagged the need for enhanced funding, infrastructure, and trained personnel at these commissions to strengthen India's information governance systems. The new data is likely to reignite discussions on systemic reforms needed to improve case disposal rates and reduce pendency across the board.