The Maharashtra government has appointed Rahul Bhalchandra Pande as the new State Chief Information Commissioner, along with Ravindra Thakare, Prakash Indalkar, and Gajanan Nimdev as State Information Commissioners.
Rahul Pande, a former journalist from Nagpur, previously served as the Information Commissioner for the Nagpur division from October 2021 to October 2024. During his tenure, he also held additional charge of the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Amravati divisions.
As the newly appointed Chief Information Commissioner, he will serve a three-year term, during which he will play a pivotal role in upholding the Right to Information (RTI) Act in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra CM, Devendra Fadnavis, congratulate Pande on his appointment, “Heartiest Congratulations to Rahul Pande on taking oath as State Chief Information Commissioner, and to Ravindra Thakare, Prakash Indalkar, and Gajanan Nimdev on taking oath as State Information Commissioners at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, today. Best wishes to uphold the Right to Information and empower citizens through transparency.”
The newly appointed Information Commissioners bring a diverse blend of administrative and media experience to the State Information Commission:
- Gajanan Nimdev currently serves as the editor of Nagpur Tarun Bharat.
- Ravindra Thakare, an IAS officer 2010 batch, was previously posted as Additional Tribal Commissioner at ATC Nagpur.
- Prakash Indalkar is a retired Deputy Secretary from the state administrative services.
On the occasion of the appointments, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took to social media to extend his congratulations. “Wishing all the dignitaries the very best in their role to uphold the Right to Information and empower citizens through transparency,” he wrote in a tweet on April 21, 2025.
These appointments come at a time when the demand for administrative transparency and public access to information continues to be a cornerstone of good governance in the state.
Heartiest Congratulations to Rahul Pande on taking oath as State Chief Information Commissioner, and to Ravindra Thakare, Prakash Indalkar, and Gajanan Nimdev on taking oath as State Information Commissioners at RajBhavan in Mumbai, today.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) April 21, 2025
Best wishes to uphold the Right to… pic.twitter.com/HVNw5CnKEt