Telangana High Court Questions Low RTI Portal Usage Amidst Pending Transparency Law Student Petition

The High Court for the State of Telangana has directed its attention toward the systemic underutilization of the state’s digital infrastructure for transparency. The Bench, comprising Justice PSK and Justice NNR, is currently hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a law student, Banappagari Vinay Reddy, concerning the efficacy of the Telangana RTI Online Portal.

A Digital Portal in Search of Users

Data retrieved through various Right to Information (RTI) channels paints a concerning picture of digital governance in the state. While an impressive 3,323 public authorities have been onboarded onto the state’s online portal, official figures reveal that only 17 authorities are actively utilizing the system for the disposal of RTI applications.

Since its inception, the portal has processed 17,865 applications, yet only 377—a mere 2.1 percent—have been effectively disposed of. Further, the statistics indicate that of the 2,502 first appeals filed via the digital platform, not a single one has reached a resolution. This lack of compliance leaves 99.48 percent of onboarded authorities effectively absent from the digital workflow, forcing citizens to resort to traditional, time-consuming methods.

Legal Mandates and Accessibility Concerns

The petition argues that the failure to operationalize these digital services violates the principles of transparency and administrative efficiency. The petitioner highlights two significant judicial benchmarks: the Supreme Court of India’s directions in Kishan Chand Jain v. Union of India , which mandated hybrid hearings at all State Information Commissions by December 31, 2023, and the directive in Pravasi Legal Cell v. Union of India regarding the operationalization of RTI portals nationwide.

Currently, the absence of functional hybrid hearings at the Telangana Information Commission forces applicants from remote districts, such as Adilabad and Khammam, to travel physically to Hyderabad for legal proceedings, creating significant barriers to access.

Courtroom Developments and Future Outlook

During the recent hearing on July 27, 2026, the counsel representing the Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (ITE&C) Department sought additional time to file a formal counter-affidavit.

The Court observed: "We make it clear the second part of relief clause in Clause-(a) of the relief clause would not be within the purview of present P.I.L."

While narrowing the scope of the relief sought, the Bench has kept the matter alive, scheduling the next hearing for August 3, 2026. As the proceedings continue, the case remains a critical test of the state’s commitment to digitizing governance and ensuring that the Right to Information remains a practical, accessible reality for all citizens.