The Right to Information (RTI) gives citizens the power to ask questions from public authorities and access government‑held information, subject to certain reasonable restrictions. Under RTI‑type laws, people can request copies of documents, records of decisions, and explanations of actions taken by departments. This transparency helps expose corruption, correct errors, and make the government more accountable. A typical RTI application involves identifying the public authority, asking specific questions, paying a small fee and then receiving a reply within a set time frame. If the information is denied without valid reasons, there are appeal mechanisms to challenge the decision.

Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is a special form of litigation in which a person or organisation approaches the court not for a personal dispute but to protect the rights of a larger group or the public at large. Courts relax the usual rule that only an affected person can file a case, so long as the petitioner acts in good faith and raises a genuine public concern. PILs have been used to address issues like environmental protection, rights of prisoners and bonded labour, and access to basic services. While PILs have played a transformative role, courts also caution against frivolous or politically motivated petitions that misuse this tool.