All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

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.

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2019 (Prelims) CSAT Previous Year Paper (02-Jun-2019)

I largely agree with the view that the Official Secrets Act (OSA) often acts as a significant obstacle to the effective implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The RTI Act champions transparency and citizen's right to know, aiming to promote accountability in governance. Conversely, the OSA, a relic from the colonial era, prioritizes secrecy, classifying a broad range of government information as "secret" and penalizing its disclosure. This inherent conflict creates a dilemma for public officials and poses a challenge for information seekers. While the RTI Act has an overriding provision (Section 22), government departments frequently invoke the OSA to deny information, citing national security or public interest broadly, without sufficient justification. This broad interpretation and the punitive nature of OSA can stifle the free flow of information, making it difficult to access crucial public records and undermining the very spirit of transparency that the RTI Act seeks to establish. Balancing national security with the public’s right to know remains a critical governance challenge.

Answered By:

Harsh Raj

Harsh Raj is a successful government exam expert, having cleared multiple stages of SSC CGL, IBPS PO, CDS, RRB NTPC, and Delhi Police SI exams himself and mentored more than 5000 students through direct mentorship. His expertise is in creating well researched content, especially MCQs, which have been directly asked by relevant commissions in multiple exams.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. What are the options available with Rohit to cope with the situation?

  2. What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Rohit?

  3. Which of the options, do you think, would be more appropriate for Rohit to adopt and why?

  4. In the present situation, what are the extra precautionary measures to be taken by the police in dealing with women protesters?

  5. What should be Sneha's course of action?

  6. How would she justify what she chooses to do?

  7. In this case, how is medical ethics compromised with vested personal interest?

  8. Discuss all options available to the District Collector as a District Magistrate.

  9. What suitable actions can be taken in view of mutually compatible interests of the stakeholders?

  10. What are the potential administrative and ethical dilemmas for the District Collector?


Important Questions from GS4

  1. What are the options available with Rohit to cope with the situation?

  2. What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Rohit?

  3. Which of the options, do you think, would be more appropriate for Rohit to adopt and why?

  4. In the present situation, what are the extra precautionary measures to be taken by the police in dealing with women protesters?

  5. What should be Sneha's course of action?

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
UPSC IFoS
November 22, 2026
UPSC SO Steno
December 12, 2026
Test Series
IAS img
UPSC
UPSC CSE (IAS) 2027 Prelims Mock Test Series
662 Tests 3 Tests Free
1705 Attempts
4.8(203)
English, Hindi
More Questions from IAS

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App