Information
Also called: Information under the IT Act, First information
Under Section 2(1)(v) of the IT Act, 2000, information includes data, message, text, images, sound, voice, codes, computer programmes, software, databases, micro film and computer generated micro fiche.
Explained
Information is an ordinary word, and only some statutes give it a legal meaning. This entry follows the Information Technology Act, 2000, where most questions on the term arise. Section 2(1)(v) of that Act provides that information includes data, message, text, images, sound, voice, codes, computer programmes, software and data bases or micro film or computer generated micro fiche. The definition is inclusive and technology neutral.
The IT Act uses related expressions that must be kept apart. Data in Section 2(1)(o) is a representation of information, knowledge, facts, concepts or instructions prepared in a formalised manner for processing in a computer. Electronic record in Section 2(1)(t) is data, record or data generated, image or sound stored, received or sent in electronic form. Information is the widest of the three. It is the object of the blocking power in Section 69A, under which the Central Government may direct that any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in a computer resource be blocked for public access on the grounds stated there. The Supreme Court upheld Section 69A while striking down Section 66A, which had punished sending certain information by means of a computer resource.
The Right to Information Act, 2005 gives a different, document based definition. Section 2(f) of that Act covers any material in any form, including records, documents, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, samples, models and electronic data, and information about a private body that a public authority can access under another law. The right to information under Section 2(j) is the right to information held by or under the control of a public authority.
In criminal procedure the word is not defined, but Section 173 of the BNSS governs information relating to a cognizable offence, commonly called the first information report, which may now be given orally, in writing or by electronic communication.
What the law says
(v) “information” includes [data, message, text,] images, sound, voice, codes, computer programmes, software and data bases or micro film or computer generated micro fiche;
Clause (v) of sub-section (1) defines information; clauses (o) and (t) data and electronic record
(1) Where the Central Government or any of its officers specially authorised by it in this behalf is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above, it may subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), for reasons to be recorded in writing, by order, direct any agency of the Government or intermediary to block for access by the public or cause to be blocked for access by the public any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource.
(2) The procedure and safeguards subject to which such blocking for access by the public may be carried out, shall be such as may be prescribed.
(3) The intermediary who fails to comply with the direction issued under sub-section (1) shall be punished with an imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and also be liable to fine.
Blocking of public access to information through a computer resource
(d) “Chief Information Commissioner” and “Information Commissioner” mean the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioner appointed under sub-section (3) of section 12;
Clauses (f) and (j): information and right to information under the RTI Act
(1) Every information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence, irrespective of the area where the offence is committed, may be given orally or by electronic communication to an officer in charge of a police station, and if given—
(i) orally, it shall be reduced to writing by him or under his direction, and be read over to the informant; and every such information, whether given in writing or reduced to writing as aforesaid, shall be signed by the person giving it;
(ii) by electronic communication, it shall be taken on record by him on being signed within three days by the person giving it,
Information in cognizable cases (first information report)
Earlier law: CRPC 154. Information in cognizable cases.
For the exam
- IT Act Section 2(1)(v): inclusive list from data and text to software and micro fiche.
- Information is wider than data (Section 2(1)(o)) and electronic record (Section 2(1)(t)).
- Section 69A IT Act allows blocking of information; upheld, while Section 66A was struck down.
- RTI Act Section 2(f): material in any form, including private body information accessible by law.
- BNSS Section 173 governs information about a cognizable offence (the FIR).
1,418 questions in the Law Maker question bank use this term. Practise Cyber Law questions
Judgments
- Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015)The Court struck down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Section 118(d) of the Kerala Police Act as violating Article 19(1)(a), upheld Section 69A and the blocking rules, and read down Section 79(3)(b).
- Lalita Kumari v. Government of Uttar Pradesh (2013)Registration of an FIR under Section 154 CrPC is mandatory when the information discloses a cognizable offence; a limited preliminary inquiry is allowed only to ascertain whether a cognizable offence is disclosed, in specified kinds of cases.
Related terms
- Electronic recordData, a record or data generated, an image or sound stored, received or sent in electronic form, or micro film or computer generated micro fiche (Section 2(1)(t) of the IT Act).
- Computer resourceComputer, computer system, computer network, data, computer data base or software (Section 2(1)(k) of the Information Technology Act, 2000). It is the widest of the Act's technology terms.
- IntermediaryA person who, on behalf of another, receives, stores or transmits an electronic record or provides a service for it, such as an internet provider, search engine or online marketplace. Section 2(1)(w) IT Act.
- Right to informationThe right of every citizen to information held by or under the control of a public authority, including inspection, notes, certified copies, samples and electronic copies (Section 2(j), RTI Act, 2005).
- Public authorityUnder Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, a body set up by the Constitution, a law or a government notification, including bodies owned, controlled or substantially financed by government.
- Cognizable offenceAn offence for which a police officer may arrest without warrant, in accordance with the First Schedule to the BNSS or any other law in force.
Further reading
Checked 6 November 2026. Statutory text is quoted from the Bare Acts library, taken from India Code. See the full glossary.