Synopsis: The combination of long-standing vacancies, a crippled penalty mechanism, a declining status, and the new legislative hurdle of the DPDP Act has left the Central Information Commission headless and toothless. The ultimate casualty is the citizen’s right to know, which is essential for a functioning democracy.

After 20 years of operation, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has become headless and toothless. India’s apex body for transparency is in crisis. As of 8 October 2025, the CIC is once again without a chief—the seventh time in the last eleven years that the crucial watchdog has been leaderless.

Following the retirement of the Chief Information Commissioner, Heeralal Samariya, on 14 September 2025, the body limps along with just two commissioners, leaving nine key p

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