Archive · 16 Dec 2025
Raj Kumar Goyal Sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner
Raj Kumar Goyal, a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was recently sworn in as the new Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) by President Droupadi Murmu.
This happened at a special ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Goyal is a well-experienced officer who has worked in important roles in the government, including as Secretary in the Department of Justice.
The position became empty after the previous CIC, Heeralal Samariya, finished his term.
A panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, recommended Goyal for this role.
Along with Goyal, the panel also suggested eight other people to be Information Commissioners, which will make the Central Information Commission fully staffed after many years.
The commission is like a watchdog that helps keep the government transparent and accountable to the public.
Raj Kumar Goyal, a retired 1990-batch IAS officer, was sworn in as the new Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) by President Droupadi Murmu.
Goyal previously served as Secretary, Department of Justice, and has held key positions in the Home Ministry and Jammu and Kashmir.
The post of CIC became vacant after Heeralal Samariya completed his term on September 14.
A panel comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah recommended Goyal's appointment, along with eight other Information Commissioners.
The Central Information Commission will be at full strength, with a CIC and up to 10 Information Commissioners, after the new appointees join.
- Who
- Raj Kumar Goyal, a retired IAS officer
- What
- Sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)
- When
- Monday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
- Why
- To fill the vacancy left by Heeralal Samariya's completion of term
Government Perspective
Opposition Perspective
Appointment Process
Government Perspective
The government believes the appointment process was transparent and followed due procedure, with recommendations from a high-level panel.
Opposition Perspective
The opposition may question the transparency and fairness of the selection process, especially given the panel's composition.
- Name
- Raj Kumar Goyal
- Position
- Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)
- Oath Administered By
- President Droupadi Murmu
- Previous Role
- Secretary, Department of Justice
- Retirement Batch
- 1990-batch IAS (AGMUT cadre)
- Ceremony Location
- Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Panel Recommendation
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led panel
- Post Vacancy
- September 14, 2023 (after Heeralal Samariya's term)
- Panel Members
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah
- Additional Appointments
- Eight other Information Commissioners recommended
Sources
Ex-bureaucrat Raj Kumar Goyal sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner New Delhi
Raj Kumar Goyal Sworn In As Chief Information Commissioner
Raj Kumar Goyal sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner
Raj Kumar Goyal Sworn in as New Chief Information Commissioner
Ex-bureaucrat Raj Kumar Goyal sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner
CIC gets full strength after 9 yrs; Raj Kumar Goyal appointed chief
