QUESTION 4(b)
GS4
10 marks
There is a view that the Official Secrets Act is an obstacle to the implementation of Right to Information Act. Do you agree with the view? Discuss.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss whether the Official Secrets Act blocks the Right to Information.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1OSA 1923: broad, vague definition of secret, colonial≈30 words
- 2RTI 2005: Section 22 overrides OSA; Section 8(2) allows disclosure when public interest outweighs harm≈30 words
- 3Practice: OSA culture of secrecy persists; classification manuals≈30 words
- 4Reform: 2nd ARC recommended repeal of OSA and a chapter in NSA≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
Both lawsLegal relationPractical conflictReformConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Ignoring Section 22 override
- No reform
Draw this
- Table: OSA vs RTI
Value addition
- LawSection 22 of the RTI Act gives it overriding effect over the Official Secrets Act.RTI Act, 2005
- Report2nd ARC 1st Report (RTI) recommended repealing the OSA.Second ARC
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Vidushi Singh · AIR 13 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aakash Garg · AIR 5 · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference
- G Sanjana · AIR 55 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.