Quick answer
The Uttarakhand Right to Service Act 2011 (Act No. 20 of 2011) gives citizens time-bound public services. Under Section 9, the second appellate authority may fine a defaulting officer ₹500 to ₹5,000. Or it may impose ₹250 a day for delay, up to ₹5,000. Besides, Section 12 provides a Right to Service Commission. The State amended the Act in 2014 and 2023. Meanwhile, the Lokayukta post remains vacant (as on 29 October 2026).
Key facts at a glance
- Right to Service Act: Act No. 20 of 2011; amended 2014 and 2023
- Penalty (Section 9): ₹500 to ₹5,000 lump sum, or ₹250 a day up to ₹5,000
- Commission (Section 12): Chief Commissioner plus two Commissioners (as amended 2023)
- RTI: RTI Act 2005; State Information Commission from 3 October 2005
- State CIC: Radha Raturi, first woman CIC; oath 12 April 2025
- E-governance: ITDA nodal agency; Apuni Sarkar portal with 954 services of 78 departments
- Grievances: CM Helpline 1905, toll-free
- Lokayukta: vacant since 2013 (as on 29 October 2026)
Uttarakhand Right to Service Act 2011: key provisions
The Uttarakhand Right to Service Act 2011 is Act No. 20 of 2011. Thus it makes public services time-bound and adds penalties for delay. Later, the State amended it in 2014 and again in 2023.
| Provision | Detail |
|---|---|
| Act number | Act No. 20 of 2011 |
| Amendments | 2014 and 2023 |
| Aim | Time-bound services; penalties |
| Penalty (Section 9) | Second appellate authority may impose a lump sum of ₹500 to ₹5,000 |
| Penalty for delay (Section 9) | Or ₹250 a day, up to ₹5,000 |
| Commission (Section 12) | Chief Commissioner plus two Commissioners (as amended 2023) |
| Appointment of Commission | In consultation with the Leader of Opposition |
| Supporting tool | Citizen’s Charters |
How the penalty works
The penalty targets delay in giving a service. Note that the Act gives this power to the second appellate authority. Moreover, the range is ₹500 to ₹5,000.
Instead of a lump sum, the authority may charge ₹250 a day for delay. However, this daily penalty also stops at ₹5,000. So ₹5,000 is the ceiling in both cases.
The Right to Service Commission
Section 12 sets up the Right to Service Commission. Also, after the 2023 amendment, it has a Chief Commissioner and two Commissioners. In addition, the State appoints them in consultation with the Leader of Opposition.
Besides, Citizen’s Charters also support the Act.
RTI and the State Information Commission
The RTI Act 2005 applies in the State. Also, the Uttarakhand Information Commission enforces it. The Commission dates from 3 October 2005, under Section 15 of the RTI Act.
Moreover, it has a State Chief Information Commissioner and up to 10 Information Commissioners. Dr R. S. Tolia was the first CIC. Today, however, Radha Raturi holds the post as the first woman CIC.
| State CIC | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Dr R. S. Tolia (first) | 18 Oct 2005 – 17 Oct 2010 |
| Nrip Singh Napalchyal | 19 Oct 2010 – 1 Apr 2015 |
| Shatrughan Singh | 19 Nov 2016 – 18 May 2021 |
| Anil Chandra Punetha | 1 Jan 2022 – 9 May 2024 |
| Radha Raturi (first woman CIC) | Oath 12 Apr 2025 — present |
Also, Radha Raturi was earlier the first woman Chief Secretary, in 2024–25. Similarly, the State Human Rights Commission came into being on 13 May 2013. For the other State commissions, see constitutional and statutory bodies of Uttarakhand.
E-governance in Uttarakhand
The State runs its e-governance through a nodal agency, ITDA. A key platform is the Apuni Sarkar portal. According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, the portal offers 954 services of 78 departments.
| Initiative | Key fact |
|---|---|
| ITDA | Nodal agency for e-governance |
| Apuni Sarkar portal | 954 services of 78 departments (Economic Survey 2025-26) |
| IFMS | Hosted at the Finance Data Center, 23 Laxmi Road, Dalanwala, Dehradun |
| Uttarakhand AI Mission-2025 | Launched by the Governor on 26 November 2025 |
Besides, the Finance Data Center at Dalanwala, Dehradun, hosts IFMS. Finally, the Governor launched the Uttarakhand AI Mission-2025 on 26 November 2025.
Grievance redressal: CM Helpline 1905
The CM Helpline 1905 is the State’s Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System. Besides, it is toll-free. Also, it works through a portal and an app.
Before it, the Samadhan portal, an NIC system, served as the online grievance system. Thus 1905 is the current channel, while Samadhan is the older one.
Vigilance and the Lokayukta
The Uttarakhand Vigilance Establishment works under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988. However, the State has no Lokayukta at present. In fact, the post has stayed vacant since 2013.
In November 2011, under CM B. C. Khanduri, the State passed the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act, 2011. Later, the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act, 2014 replaced it. Meanwhile, a search committee under Justice (Retd) Alok Verma came up in June 2026.
On 12 October 2026, the High Court asked for a progress report within two weeks. Still, the State has made no appointment (as on 29 October 2026).
| Lokayukta | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Justice S. H. A. Raza (first) | 2002–2008 |
| Justice M. M. Ghildiyal | 2008–2013 |
| Vacant | Since 2013 |
Local and administrative links
Good governance also reaches the village level. For example, every Gram Sabha must meet at least twice a year under the Panchayati Raj Act. In addition, Gram Panchayats work through six committees.
At the district level, the District Magistrate (Jiladhikari) heads the administration. The civil administration article explains this chain from the Chief Secretary down to the BDO.
Exam corner: common traps
- Second appellate authority: the Act names the second appellate authority for the Section 9 penalty.
- ₹500 to ₹5,000: do not confuse it with ₹1,000 or ₹10,000. Also, the ₹250 daily penalty is capped at ₹5,000.
- 1905 vs Samadhan: CM Helpline 1905 is the current system; however, Samadhan was the earlier NIC portal.
- Two Radha Raturi firsts: first woman Chief Secretary, and later first woman State CIC.
- Lokayukta: S. H. A. Raza was the first; however, the post is vacant since 2013.
What UKPSC has asked
- Under the Right to Service Act, 2011, what penalty may the second appellate authority impose? ₹500 to ₹5,000 (UKPSC ACF (Pre), 2019)
- Who was the first Lokayukta of Uttarakhand? S. H. A. Raza (UKPSC Uttarakhand High Court ARO Screening, 2026)
- Who is the first woman Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand? Radha Raturi (UKPSC RO/ARO, Advocate General Office (Pre), 2025)
- When did the Uttarakhand Human Rights Commission become functional? May 2013 (UKPSC Uttarakhand High Court ARO Screening, 2026)
Revise in one page
Right to Service Act 2011: Act No. 20 of 2011; amended 2014, 2023. Section 9: second appellate authority imposes ₹500–₹5,000, or ₹250 a day up to ₹5,000. Section 12: Commission with a Chief Commissioner plus two Commissioners (2023), appointed in consultation with the LoP. Citizen’s Charters. RTI Act 2005: State Information Commission from 3 October 2005 (Section 15); CIC plus up to 10 ICs. First CIC R. S. Tolia; Radha Raturi first woman CIC (oath 12 April 2025). E-governance: ITDA nodal; Apuni Sarkar 954 services of 78 departments; IFMS at Dalanwala, Dehradun; AI Mission-2025 launched 26 November 2025. CM Helpline 1905; Samadhan older. Vigilance under PC Act 1988. Lokayukta vacant since 2013; first S. H. A. Raza.
In the news
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- 5th India Digital Empowerment Meet awards 2026 in Dehradun — a 2026 digital empowerment awards meet held in Dehradun.
- Vigilance Awareness Week 2026: Probity for Prosperity — the CVC’s 2026 awareness week theme on probity.
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Practise Uttarakhand Polity
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Uttarakhand Polity Notes series
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Frequently Asked Questions
Under Section 9, the second appellate authority may impose a lump sum of 500 to 5,000 rupees. Or it may impose 250 rupees a day for delay, up to 5,000 rupees.
It is Act No. 20 of 2011. The State amended it in 2014 and 2023.
Radha Raturi is the State Chief Information Commissioner. She took oath on 12 April 2025 and is the first woman to hold the post (as on 29 October 2026).
The CM Helpline number is 1905. It is toll-free and also works through a portal and an app.
Apuni Sarkar is the State’s online service portal. It offers 954 services of 78 departments, as per the Economic Survey 2025-26.
Justice S. H. A. Raza was the first Lokayukta, from 2002 to 2008. The post has been vacant since 2013.
Facts as on 29 October 2026. Sources: Lok Bhavan (Raj Bhavan) Uttarakhand, High Court of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, Election Commission of India, State departments, India Code and PIB.