Raj Kumar Goyal Appointed Chief Information Commissioner 2025 in December 2025. Know his profile, RTI significance, CIC functions, and key exam-relevant takeaways.
Raj Kumar Goyal Appointed as Chief Information Commissioner: A Key Development in Governance and RTI Enforcement
Introduction to the Appointment
Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Raj Kumar Goyal has been sworn in as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of India on 15 December 2025, in a ceremony administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
This appointment fills a high-impact constitutional post under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 and comes after the previous CIC’s term ended in September 2025. Alongside Goyal, eight new Information Commissioners were also sworn in, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the transparency watchdog — the Central Information Commission (CIC).
Who Is Raj Kumar Goyal? Profile and Career Highlights
Experienced Bureaucrat and Administrator
Raj Kumar Goyal is a 1990-batch retired IAS officer from the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, with decades of service in key administrative positions across the central government and sensitive regions like Jammu & Kashmir.
Senior Roles Undertaken
Before his appointment as CIC, Goyal served as:
- Secretary, Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice;
- Secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs.
His extensive experience in governance, legal administration, and policy execution has shaped his career, making him a suitable choice to lead India’s primary transparency authority.
Significance of the Central Information Commission
The Central Information Commission—established under the RTI Act, 2005—is the apex body ensuring public access to government information, accountability, and transparency in administrative decision-making. It adjudicates in appeals where public information requests are denied or delayed by public authorities.
With the Commission now at full capacity for the first time in several years, this appointment is expected to restore impetus to transparency initiatives and strengthen RTI implementation throughout government bodies.
Swearing-In Ceremony Highlights
The oath-taking event was attended by key dignitaries:
- President Droupadi Murmu (Administered the oath)
- Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan
- Union Minister of State for Personnel Dr. Jitendra Singh
- Other senior officials of the union government.
President Murmu emphasized the Commission’s vital role in democratic governance, highlighting that effective information access is fundamental to accountable administration.
Strategic Importance of This Appointment
Raj Kumar Goyal’s leadership is expected to bring renewed focus to processing RTI appeals, reducing pendency, and ensuring timely delivery of information. With the CIC and Information Commissioners functioning at full strength, issues related to public transparency, administrative accountability, and citizens’ right to information are likely to receive greater attention.
For aspirants of UPSC, State PSCs, SSC, Banking, Railways, and other government exams, this development has high relevance under topics like Indian Polity, Governance, Public Administration, and RTI Act functions.
Why This News Is Important
Boost to Transparency and Governance Reform
The appointment of Raj Kumar Goyal as the Chief Information Commissioner marks a pivotal moment in India’s transparency architecture. The CIC, empowered under the Right to Information Act, serves as the highest authority for citizens seeking information from public authorities. With this key post having remained vacant since September 2025, there was a significant gap in oversight and resolution of RTI appeals. Goyal’s appointment restores leadership and promises to streamline the Commission’s functions, impacting millions of pending and future information requests.
Implications for Competitive Exam Aspirants
For students preparing for competitive government exams, this development is crucial because it reflects how India strengthens institutional mechanisms that uphold democratic values such as accountability, transparency, and citizen empowerment. Questions related to the RTI Act, CIC’s functions, appointment processes, and administrative reforms are frequent in exams like UPSC CSE, State PSC, SSC CGL/CHSL, and others, making this news directly relevant to the syllabus on Indian Governance and Polity. Understanding this event enhances answers in essay writing, ethics, and general studies papers.
Historical Context
Background on the Central Information Commission
The Central Information Commission (CIC) was established under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, a landmark legislation designed to promote transparency in public services and empower citizens with access to government information. The CIC adjudicates appeals and complaints where information requests to public authorities are denied or unresolved within stipulated timelines.
Gap in Leadership
The previous CIC, Heeralal Samariya, demitted office in September 2025, leaving the Commission without a chief for several months. The CIC’s full functioning is vital to ensure timely resolution of RTI matters, which directly affect public accountability. The appointment of Raj Kumar Goyal ends this vacancy and coincides with the induction of eight new Information Commissioners, restoring the Commission to full strength after nearly nine years of partial staffing.
Key Takeaways from Raj Kumar Goyal’s Appointment as CIC
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | Raj Kumar Goyal has been appointed as Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of India with effect from 15 Dec 2025. |
| 2. | The appointment was formalized through a swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, administered by President Droupadi Murmu. |
| 3. | Goyal is a 1990-batch retired IAS officer, previously Secretary in the Department of Justice and Secretary (Border Management). |
| 4. | The Central Information Commission has attained its full sanctioned strength with eight new Information Commissioners. |
| 5. | The CIC plays a critical role in enforcing the Right to Information Act (2005) — a key governance topic in competitive exams. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who has been appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of India in December 2025?
- Former IAS officer Raj Kumar Goyal has been appointed CIC.
2. When was Raj Kumar Goyal sworn in as CIC?
- He was sworn in on 15 December 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Droupadi Murmu.
3. What is the role of the Central Information Commission (CIC)?
- CIC ensures transparency and accountability under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 and adjudicates appeals where public authorities delay or deny information.
4. What positions did Raj Kumar Goyal hold before becoming CIC?
- He served as Secretary, Department of Justice and Secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs.
5. Why is this appointment significant for competitive exam aspirants?
- It is relevant under Indian Polity, Governance, Public Administration, and RTI Act topics, which frequently appear in exams like UPSC, State PSC, SSC, Railways, Banking, and Defence services.
6. How many new Information Commissioners were appointed along with Raj Kumar Goyal?
- Eight new Information Commissioners were sworn in alongside him, restoring the Commission to full strength.
7. Which batch and cadre does Raj Kumar Goyal belong to?
He is a 1990‑batch IAS officer from the AGMUT cadre (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, UTs).
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