Right to Information is

The Right to Information (RTI) in India is both a fundamental right and a legal right. The Supreme Court of India, in landmark cases such as State of U.P. v. Raj Narain, established that RTI is implicit in the right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution [t1, t3, t7]. This judicial interpretation elevates it to the status of a fundamental right, as the right to know is essential for the meaningful exercise of free speech [t2, t6]. Simultaneously, it is a legal (statutory) right because it was formally codified by the Parliament through the Right to Information Act, 2005 [c1, t3]. This Act provides a practical regime and specific procedures for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, thereby reinforcing its status as a statutory legal right [t3, t5].

Sources

1. [1] https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D2/D02rti/RTI-A.pdf
2. [2] https://cag.gov.in/uploads/media/Right-to-Information-Academike-20210223120533.pdf
3. [3] https://rti.img.kerala.gov.in/rti/pdf/SheelaChandra.pdf
4. [4] Understanding Economic Development. Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: CONSUMER RIGHTS > Information about goods and services > p. 79