What is State Information Commission (SIC)?
Each state in India has its own State Information Commission to hear second appeals related to state government departments, local bodies (municipalities, panchayats), and state public sector undertakings.
Establishment: SICs were established under Section 15 of the RTI Act, 2005.
Composition of SIC
- State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC): Head of the State Commission
- State Information Commissioners (SICs): Up to 10 Commissioners
- Appointment: By the Governor of the state on recommendation of a committee
Powers of State Information Commission
- Same powers as Central Information Commission but for state subjects
- Receive and decide Second Appeals from state government departments
- Order state public authorities to provide information
- Impose penalty on state PIOs (₹250 per day up to ₹25,000)
- Direct payment of compensation
- Recommend disciplinary action against state officials
- Summon and enforce attendance of persons
How to File Second Appeal with SIC
- Visit the respective State Information Commission's website
- Register as a user
- Fill second appeal form with details of RTI application, First Appeal, and FAA order
- Upload supporting documents
- Pay ₹50 fee (varies by state, BPL exempt)
- Submit and note registration number
State Information Commission Websites
| State | Website |
|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | apinformationcommission.gov.in |
| Assam | asic.assam.gov.in |
| Bihar | bsic.bihar.gov.in |
| Chhattisgarh | cgicg.cg.gov.in |
| Delhi | dirc.gov.in |
| Gujarat | gsic.in |
| Haryana | hsic.gov.in |
| Himachal Pradesh | hp-sic.nic.in |
| Jharkhand | jhic.in |
| Karnataka | karic.in |
| Kerala | keralasic.gov.in |
| Madhya Pradesh | mpsic.mic.in |
| Maharashtra | msic.in |
| Odisha | osic.nic.in |
| Punjab | psic.punjab.gov.in |
| Rajasthan | rjsic.rajasthan.gov.in |
| Tamil Nadu | tnicsic.in |
| Telangana | tsic.telangana.gov.in |
| Uttar Pradesh | upic.up.nic.in |
| West Bengal | wbsc.gov.in |
Note: Website URLs may change. Search "[State Name] Information Commission" on Google for the current website.
Difference Between CIC and SIC
- Jurisdiction: CIC for central govt departments; SIC for state govt departments
- Appointment Authority: President of India (CIC); Governor (SIC)
- Appeal against: Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) vs State Public Information Officers (SPIOs)
- Appeal against SIC order: To respective High Court under Article 226
Important SIC Decisions
- SICs have ordered disclosure of information related to PMLA, RERA, and other state matters
- SICs have penalized PIOs for willful delay and malafide rejection
- SICs have directed payment of compensation for harassment
Appeal Against SIC Order
If aggrieved by SIC order, you can file a Writ Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution before the respective High Court.