Govt: Five of eight CIC picks come from disadvantaged groups, counters Rahul Gandhi
Govt: Five of eight CIC picks come from disadvantaged groups, counters Rahul Gandhi
The government says five of the eight shortlisted Information Commissioners come from SC, ST, OBC, minority communities, and a woman, countering Rahul Gandhi's charge of marginalisation.
A high-level panel has finalised eight names for filling vacancies in the Central Information Commission (CIC). The Centre says the recommended slate includes one candidate from the SC community, one from the ST community, one from the OBC, a representative from a minority community, and a woman, with five of the eight candidates coming from disadvantaged groups.
The eight vacancies were considered at a meeting held on December 10, 2025, by a three-member committee chaired by the Prime Minister and comprising the Home Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. The government says the committee finalised eight names for appointment to the CIC.
Rahul Gandhi had dissented during the meeting, arguing that the final list did not reflect adequate representation from SC, ST, OBC and minority communities. Government spokespeople counter the charge, noting the balance of categories in the slate and pointing to past appointments when SC representatives rose to the CIC only recently.
Historically, the CIC was created in 2005. From 2005 to 2014, the UPA government did not appoint anyone from the SC or ST communities to the CIC. The NDA government later appointed Suresh Chandra, an ST member, in 2018. In 2020, Heeralal Samariya became an Information Commissioner, and in 2023 he became Chief Information Commissioner – the first person from the SC community to hold the post.
Officials emphasise that these appointments are part of an ongoing effort to diversify the CIC while ensuring expertise and impartiality in information governance.
Cover image source: Government refutes Rahul Gandhi’s charge on exclusion of the marginalised for top posts 🔗
