What is the common examiner trap about Polity in UPSC exams?

Examiners may confuse Section 24 (exemptions for organisations) with Section 8 (exemptions for specific categories of information). They may also ask whether the G.O. was validly issued without legislative approval — Section 24(5) requires it to be laid before the legislature, not necessarily approved by it. The trap is to expect 'approved by legislature' when the Act only says 'laid before'.

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News 11 of 14

Tamil Nadu Withdraws G.O. Exempting Public (Law and Order) Dept from RTI Act, 2005

Q: Which section of the Right to Information Act, 2005 empowers the government to exempt intelligence and security organisations from its purview?

Section 24, Section 24 of the RTI Act deals with exemption of intelligence and security organisations. Section 8 provides exemptions for specific categories of information, Section 19 deals with appeals, and Section 4 deals with proactive disclosure. The news specifically mentions the government exercising powers under Section 24(4) to notify the department as an exempt organisation.

Q: According to the Satark Nagrik Sangathan's 2024-25 report card, how many appeals and complaints were pending before the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission (TNSIC) as of June last year?

Over 41,000, The article explicitly states: 'the Satark Nagrik Sangathan’s 2024-25 report card on Information Commissions found a backlog of over 41,000 appeals and complaints before the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission (TNSIC), as of June last year.' The other options are close distractors designed to test precise recall of the number.

Q: What was the primary concern raised by transparency activists regarding the Tamil Nadu G.O. exempting the Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act?

It would shield administrative actions from public scrutiny without valid security justification, The article describes the G.O. as a 'regressive decision' that seeks to 'insulate itself from transparency.' It notes that the RTI Act already has robust exemptions under Section 8, making the blanket exemption unnecessary. The core concern is that the government was using the 'intelligence and security organisation' label to avoid transparency in routine administrative matters, not genuine security operations.

Q: What should UPSC aspirants remember about Polity for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Over 41,000 appeals/complaints pending before TNSIC as of June 2024 2. Target this Nodal Body: Tamil Nadu State Information Commission (TNSIC) — functioning with only 4 of 8 Information Commissioners and no Chief Information Commissioner 3. Target this Legal Point: Section 24(4) and Section 24(5) of the RTI Act, 2005 — exemption of intelligence/security organisations and requirement for legislative placement

PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

28 Sept 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:Section 24(4)Section 24(5)Over 41,000 appeals/complaints8 sanctioned commissioners4 filled commissionersSeptember 21, 2026

Bodies:Tamil Nadu State Information Commission (TNSIC)Satark Nagrik Sangathan

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Tamil Nadu issued G.O. on Sept 21, 2026, exempting Public (Law and Order) Dept from RTI Act under Section 24(4) — later withdrawn after public outcry.

2.The G.O. required legislative placement under Section 24(5) of the RTI Act; State Law Minister was C.T.R. Nirmalkumar.

3.TNSIC has a backlog of over 41,000 appeals/complaints (2024-25 report), functions with only 4 of 8 Information Commissioners, and no Chief Information Commissioner.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Tamil Nadu issued a G.O. on Sept 21, 2026, exempting its Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act under Section 24(4), but withdrew it after protests. The episode highlights the tension between administrative transparency and state secrecy, and raises exam-relevant questions about RTI exemptions, the role of Information Commissions, and the misuse of Section 24.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

G.O. Issued DateSeptember 21, 2026

G.O. Withdrawn DateShortly after September 27, 2026

RTI Section Used for ExemptionSection 24(4)

Requirement for Legislative ApprovalSection 24(5)

TNSIC Backlog (as of June 2024)Over 41,000 appeals/complaints

Sanctioned TNSIC Commissioners8

TNSIC Commissioners Filled4 (half strength)

State Law MinisterC.T.R. Nirmalkumar

Chief MinisterC. Joseph Vijay

1-Minute Revision

›G.O. Issued Date: September 21, 2026
›G.O. Withdrawn Date: Shortly after September 27, 2026
›Target this Data: Over 41,000 appeals/complaints pending before TNSIC as of June 2024
›Target this Nodal Body: Tamil Nadu State Information Commission (TNSIC) — functioning with only 4 of 8 Information Commissioners and no Chief Information Commissioner
›Target this Legal Point: Section 24(4) and Section 24(5) of the RTI Act, 2005 — exemption of intelligence/security organisations and requirement for legislative placement

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News Snapshot

📜

G.O. Issued Under Section 24(4) RTI Act

Tamil Nadu government exempted the Public (Law and Order) Department from RTI by notifying it as an 'intelligence and security organisation'.

🔄

G.O. Withdrawn After Protests

Following protests by political parties and activists, the Law Minister announced withdrawal, though the G.O. was already being used to deny information from Sept 22.

⚖️

TNSIC Dysfunction Highlighted

With over 41,000 pending appeals, only 4 of 8 commissioners, and no Chief Information Commissioner, the episode underscores structural weaknesses in the transparency framework.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Right to Information Act, 2005 empowers citizens to access information from public authorities, promoting transparency and accountability. Section 24(4) allows governments to exempt certain intelligence and security organisations from its purview. However, this power is meant for genuine security agencies, not entire departments like Public (Law and Order). The Tamil Nadu government's move, without prior legislative consultation as required under Section 24(5), was widely seen as an attempt to shield administrative actions from public scrutiny.

Core Analysis & Implications

The episode reveals a systemic reluctance among political executives to embrace transparency. Even before the G.O. was publicly known (Sept 27), RTI authorities began citing it to deny information from Sept 22, indicating pre-planned implementation. The Law Minister's initial defensiveness and later withdrawal without explanation suggest a lack of due process. The article also notes that the RTI Act already has robust exemptions under Section 8, making the additional blanket exemption unnecessary and regressive. The Satark Nagrik Sangathan's 2024-25 report card showing TNSIC's backlog of over 41,000 appeals and half-strength commissioners further underscores the need to strengthen institutions rather than bypass them.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The withdrawal of the G.O. is a positive step, but the episode serves as a cautionary tale for other states. Strengthening State Information Commissions by filling vacancies, clearing backlogs, and ensuring independence is critical. The article also flags concerns about the Digital Personal Data Protection Act potentially diluting the RTI Act further. For exams, this news links to the RTI Act framework, the balance between national security and transparency, and the role of Information Commissions as quasi-judicial bodies.

Key Facts at a Glance

G.O. Issued DateSeptember 21, 2026

G.O. Withdrawn DateShortly after September 27, 2026

RTI Section Used for ExemptionSection 24(4)

Requirement for Legislative ApprovalSection 24(5)

TNSIC Backlog (as of June 2024)Over 41,000 appeals/complaints

Sanctioned TNSIC Commissioners8

TNSIC Commissioners Filled4 (half strength)

State Law MinisterC.T.R. Nirmalkumar

Chief MinisterC. Joseph Vijay

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which section of the Right to Information Act, 2005 empowers the government to exempt intelligence and security organisations from its purview?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Tamil Nadu G.O. exempting the Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act:

1. The G.O. was issued on September 21, 2026 under Section 24(4) of the RTI Act.

2. The G.O. required to be placed before the State Legislature as per Section 24(5) of the RTI Act.

3. The Tamil Nadu State Information Commission (TNSIC) has a backlog of over 41,000 appeals and complaints as of June 2025.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to the Satark Nagrik Sangathan's 2024-25 report card, how many appeals and complaints were pending before the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission (TNSIC) as of June last year?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

What was the primary concern raised by transparency activists regarding the Tamil Nadu G.O. exempting the Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act?

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Tamil Nadu Withdraws G.O. Exempting Public (Law and Order) Dept from RTI Act, 2005

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

G.O. Issued Under Section 24(4) RTI Act

G.O. Withdrawn After Protests

TNSIC Dysfunction Highlighted

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance