The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, is one of the most significant legislations enacted in India to strengthen democracy, promote transparency, and ensure accountability in public administration. It empowers citizens to access information held by public authorities, thereby enabling them to participate effectively in governance. Before the enactment of the RTI Act, government functioning was often characterized by secrecy, making it difficult for citizens to know how decisions were made or how public resources were utilized. The Act transformed this approach by recognizing access to information as an essential component of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India. The RTI Act provides every citizen with the legal right to request information from public authorities. These authorities include government departments, ministries, local bodies, public sector undertakings, constitutional bodies, and organizations substantially financed by the government. Public Information Officers (PIOs) are appointed in every public authority to receive and process RTI applications. Information must generally be provided within thirty days of receiving the request. If the information concerns the life or liberty of a person, it must be provided within forty-eight hours. The Act also establishes the Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions (SICs) to hear appeals and complaints when information is denied or delayed. One of the most important contributions of the RTI Act to governance is the promotion of transparency. Transparent governance enables citizens to know how policies are formulated, how public money is spent, and how administrative decisions are taken. When government records become accessible, opportunities for arbitrary decision-making and misuse of power are significantly reduced. Transparency builds trust between the government and citizens by making public institutions more open and answerable. The RTI Act also strengthens accountability in governance. Public officials are aware that their actions, files, decisions, and expenditures may be examined by citizens. This awareness encourages officials to follow legal procedures, maintain proper records, and perform their duties responsibly. Accountability improves the quality of governance by ensuring that public servants remain answerable for their actions and decisions. It also discourages negligence, delays, and abuse of authority. Another major significance of the RTI Act is its role in combating corruption. Corruption often thrives in environments where secrecy and lack of public oversight prevail. By allowing citizens to inspect government records, contracts, procurement processes, expenditure statements, and project reports, the RTI Act exposes irregularities and financial mismanagement. Numerous cases of corruption involving fake beneficiaries, ghost employees, misuse of development funds, and irregularities in public procurement have been uncovered through RTI applications. Thus, the Act acts as an effective tool for promoting integrity in public administration. The RTI Act enhances citizen participation in governance by empowering people with information necessary for informed decision-making. Democracy is meaningful only when citizens actively participate in public affairs. Access to information enables people to question government policies, monitor implementation of welfare schemes, participate in local governance, and demand better public services. Citizens become partners in governance rather than passive recipients of government decisions. The Act contributes significantly to improving service delivery. Information regarding delays in issuing certificates, pensions, ration