| Subject: | Law & Policy \ Public Policy |
| Title: | Right to Know to Right to Deny: Critical Analysis of the Data Protection Effects on RTI in India |
| Author(s): | Harsh |
| Published on: | 30th April 2026 |
| Published by: | Lyceum India |
| Name of the Journal: | Lyceum India Journal of Social Sciences |
| ISSN/E-ISSN: | 3048-6513 |
| Volume & Issue: | Volume: 3, Issue: 5 |
| Pages: | 186-194 |
| Original DOI (if any): | 10.5281/zenodo.19690576 |
| Repository DOI: | |
| Abstract: | This paper views the balance of transparency and confidentiality in Indian governance as dynamic and constantly evolving. It contends that the transparency will assure accountability, citizens involvement, and trust, whereas secrecy is necessary for ensuring national security, information secrets, and individual privacy. This study uses a mixed method design of doctrinal legal analysis, case law analysis and empirical survey data. The most important laws such as the Right to Information Act (2005) and Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023) are examined critically and landmark judicial decisions are examined. Results indicate that there is a big disparity between the high awareness levels of the general population on transparency measures especially the RTI Act and lack of awareness of data protection laws, even as there is a rising concern on digital privacy. This paper concludes that Indian governance is at a transitory stage and suggests a more balanced and principle-driven model to reconcile transparency and confidentiality in terms of good and responsible governance. |
| Keywords: | Transparency, Confidentiality, RTI Act, Data Protection, Governance, Privacy, Accountability, India |
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