Tamil Nadu Adds 2 New Officials to Speed Up RTI Appeals by 2026

Tamil Nadu's Information Commission now has 8 members, up from 6, to handle more RTI appeals. This is a 33% increase in capacity.
By Newsroom | Government, Tamil Nadu |

The Tamil Nadu Information Commission has seen the induction of two former senior bureaucrats, Atulya Misra, a retired IAS officer, and Abhay Kumar Singh, a retired IPS officer, as State Information Commissioners. This development follows a government-sanctioned expansion of the commission's bench, increasing its strength from six to eight members, exclusive of the Chief Information Commissioner. The move is framed as a strategic effort to tackle a substantial backlog of appeals related to the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Misra and Singh formally assumed their roles after subscribing to the oath of office, administered by Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi. The swearing-in ceremony occurred at Lok Bhavan in Chennai. State Chief Information Commissioner Md. Shakeel Akhter, along with other senior officials, was also present. The appointments signify an observable shift in the state's administrative approach to fulfilling transparency mandates.

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The timeline for these appointments reveals a progression. Official notifications regarding the appointments were issued around February 24, 2026. Misra, who retired from service in December 2025, and Singh, who retired as Director General Vigilance in January 2026, bring their administrative backgrounds to these new positions. Their tenure is stipulated to be for a term of three years from their assumption of office, or until they reach the age of sixty-five, whichever comes first. This structural adjustment in the commission's capacity suggests an intention to manage the administrative load associated with transparency mandates more effectively.

Background to the Appointments

The increase in the number of State Information Commissioners from six to eight was sanctioned by the state government, a move reportedly aimed at alleviating the administrative burden concerning transparency protocols. This expansion is seen as a direct response to a mounting volume of appeals under the RTI Act, indicating a need for increased capacity to process and resolve these matters. The appointments of Misra and Singh, both former civil servants, are positioned within this broader context of institutional adaptation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who has joined the Tamil Nadu Information Commission and when?
Atulya Misra and Abhay Kumar Singh, retired senior bureaucrats, joined as State Information Commissioners after taking the oath on February 24, 2026.
Q: Why were new members added to the commission?
Two new members were added to help the commission handle a large number of appeals under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Q: How many members does the commission have now?
The commission's bench has been expanded from six to eight members, not including the Chief Information Commissioner.
Q: How long will the new members serve?
The new State Information Commissioners will serve for three years or until they turn sixty-five, whichever comes first.
Q: What is the main goal of these appointments?
The appointments aim to improve the state's ability to manage transparency rules and clear the backlog of RTI appeals more effectively.