RTI, IT Act, IPR & Protective Statutes for Women, Children and Seniors — RPSC RAS Paper III, Unit III, Part B
Weightage: Part B of Paper III Unit III, where the 2026 revision widened law. The syllabus names each Act and, for RTI and the IT Act, a section range. Read the sections named, learn each Act's purpose, and use exact terms. This chapter gives the working outline; for exact wording and penalties, consult the bare Acts.
1. Right to Information Act, 2005 (Sections 1-20)
The Act gives citizens a legal right to information held by public authorities, replacing secrecy with transparency.
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| 3 | Right to information for all citizens |
| 4 | Duty of public authorities to maintain records and disclose proactively |
| 5 | Public Information Officers and Assistant PIOs |
| 6 | Request for information; no reason need be given |
| 7 | Disposal of requests within 30 days; 48 hours where life or liberty is involved |
| 8 | Exemptions (security, sovereignty, cabinet papers, personal information without public interest and others) |
| 12-17 | Central and State Information Commissions |
| 18 | Powers of the Commissions, including inquiry into complaints |
| 19 | Appeals: a first appeal to a senior officer, then a second appeal to the Information Commission |
| 20 | Penalties on defaulting officers, at a daily rate up to a ceiling |
Two contemporary points recur. The 2019 amendment gave the Centre control over the tenure and pay of Information Commissioners, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 amends the personal-information exemption in Section 8(1)(j).
2. Information Technology Act, 2000 (Sections 1-2, 65-78)
The Act gives legal recognition to electronic records and signatures and defines cyber offences. The syllabus names Sections 65 to 78, which include the following. Punishments are given as ranges, so check the bare Act.
| Section | Offence or provision |
|---|---|
| 65 | Tampering with computer source documents |
| 66 | Computer-related offences, including hacking |
| 66B-66E | Receiving stolen resources; identity theft; cheating by personation; violation of privacy |
| 66F | Cyber terrorism |
| 67, 67A, 67B | Publishing obscene material, sexually explicit acts and child sexual abuse material |
| 69 | Powers to intercept, monitor or decrypt in the interest of security |
| 72 | Breach of confidentiality and privacy |
| 77-78 | Compensation not barring other punishment; investigation by an officer of prescribed rank |
Section 66A (offensive messages) was struck down by the Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015) as violating free speech.
3. Intellectual property rights
| Right | Law | Protects | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patent | Patents Act, 1970 | New inventions | 20 years |
| Copyright | Copyright Act, 1957 | Literary, artistic, musical works, software | Author's life plus 60 years |
| Trademark | Trade Marks Act, 1999 | Marks, names, logos | 10 years, renewable |
| Geographical Indication | GI Act, 1999 | Products tied to a place | 10 years, renewable |
| Design | Designs Act, 2000 | Shape and pattern | 10 years, extendable |
India follows the WTO's TRIPS agreement. Rajasthan examples include GIs for Kota Doria, Sanganeri and Bagru printing, Jaipur blue pottery and Bikaneri bhujia.
4. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
The Act protects women in a domestic relationship from physical, sexual, verbal and emotional, and economic abuse, and covers wives, live-in partners and other female relatives in a shared household. Reliefs available from a Magistrate include protection orders, residence orders, monetary relief, custody of children and compensation. Protection Officers help women, and the Magistrate is directed to decide within a set period.
5. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013
Following the Vishaka guidelines, the Act requires an Internal Committee at any workplace with ten or more employees, headed by a senior woman, with at least half its members women and one external member from a non-governmental organisation. A Local Committee at district level covers small and informal workplaces. A complaint is normally made within three months, conciliation can be tried, and the inquiry is to be completed within 90 days.
6. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO)
POCSO protects everyone under 18, and its provisions are gender-neutral. It defines penetrative sexual assault, sexual assault, sexual harassment and child sexual abuse material, and provides mandatory reporting, child-friendly procedures, in-camera trial and Special Courts. The 2019 amendment increased penalties for aggravated penetrative sexual assault.
7. Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007
Parents and senior citizens (60 and above) unable to maintain themselves can claim maintenance from their children or relatives through a Maintenance Tribunal, presided over by a sub-divisional officer, with appeal to an Appellate Tribunal headed by the Collector. Abandonment of a senior citizen is an offence.
Worked example 7.1 (a 10-mark answer, ~150 words). "Explain the procedure and importance of the Right to Information Act, 2005."
Model answer. The Right to Information Act, 2005 gives every citizen the right to seek information from public authorities and is a foundation of transparent governance.
A citizen submits a request to the Public Information Officer without giving reasons, on payment of a nominal fee. The information must be given within 30 days, or 48 hours where life or liberty is involved. Section 8 lists exemptions, such as security and personal information without public interest. If the request is refused or ignored, the citizen files a first appeal with a senior officer and, if still dissatisfied, a second appeal with the Information Commission, which can also impose penalties on defaulting officers.
The Act promotes accountability, curbs corruption and empowers citizens, but faces pending appeals, vacancies and concerns after recent amendments.
Common traps RPSC sets here
- Reading Section 8 as covering all personal information. Personal information is exempt only where it has no public interest and would invade privacy; the 2023 data-protection law has changed this reading.
- Citing Section 66A as in force. It was struck down in 2015.
- Confusing the Internal Committee and Local Committee. The first is inside a workplace, the second at district level.
- Treating POCSO as applying only to girls. It is gender-neutral.
Memory aids
- "30 days, 48 hours": RTI time limits.
- "IC inside, LC outside": the two POSH committees.
- "Under 18": POCSO's age threshold.
Summary
The RTI Act (2005) gives a right to information with time limits, exemptions, appeals and penalties. The IT Act (2000) recognises electronic records and defines cyber offences in Sections 65-78, and IPR is protected through patents, copyright, trademarks, GIs and designs.
Four protective statutes complete the unit: the Domestic Violence Act (2005), the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act (2013), POCSO (2012) and the Senior Citizens Act (2007).
Exam protocol
- Give each Act as year, purpose, key machinery and one limitation.
- Cite section numbers only where you are sure; describe the provision otherwise.
- End law answers with implementation gaps.
