Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Maharashtra Reconstitutes Search Panel for Information Commissioner Appointments
Maharashtra has changed the group that helps choose candidates for important information commissioner jobs.
The new group will be led by retired judge Justice Ravi Deshpande.
It will decide what qualifications applicants need and review their applications.
For each open job, it will send three suitable names to another committee.
The Chief Minister leads that selection committee.
The government says the changes follow directions from the Supreme Court.
The goal is to make the appointments fair, open, and based on merit.
Maharashtra reconstituted the committee that shortlists candidates for state information commissioner posts.
A government resolution issued October 5 superseded an earlier order dated January 7, 2025.
Retired Bombay High Court judge Justice Ravi Deshpande will head the committee.
The panel will set eligibility criteria, assess applications, and shortlist three candidates for each vacancy.
The government said the changes respond to Supreme Court directions on transparency, objectivity, and merit.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government reconstituted the search committee, which will be headed by retired Bombay High Court judge Justice Ravi Deshpande.
- What
- The committee will set eligibility requirements, examine applications, and shortlist candidates for State Chief Information Commissioner and State Information Commissioner posts.
- When
- The government resolution was issued on October 5; it superseded an order dated January 7, 2025.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- The government said the restructuring responds to Supreme Court directions seeking transparency, objectivity, and merit in appointments.
Government's stated rationale
Other viewpoint
Committee restructuring
Government's stated rationale
The government said the changes would align the selection process with the RTI Act and Supreme Court directions on transparency, objectivity, and merit.
Other viewpoint
The article reports no opposing response or criticism of the restructuring.
- Issuing department
- Maharashtra General Administration Department
- Resolution date
- October 5
- Superseded order
- January 7, 2025
- Committee chair
- Retired Bombay High Court judge Justice Ravi Deshpande
- Shortlist per vacancy
- Three eligible candidates
- Appointment law
- Section 15(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005
- Selection committee chair
- The Chief Minister