The prestigious Right to Information (RTI) Award 2026 instituted by the RTI Kerala Federation has been conferred upon Dr. Jose Abraham, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards the promotion, protection, and strengthening of the Right to Information movement in India.
The award was decided after a comprehensive evaluation of Dr. Jose Abraham’s sustained efforts in advancing transparency, accountability, and citizens’ access to information. The jury particularly acknowledged his legal interventions before the Supreme Court of India advocating for the implementation of RTI online portals across the country, his legal battles against measures perceived to weaken the RTI Act, including challenges related to the DPDP framework, and his scholarly and collaborative contributions through publications and awareness initiatives promoting the RTI movement.
The jury that selected the awardee was chaired by former State Information Commissioner Dr. A.A. Hakkim and comprised Fr. Anil Philip, Director of Chavara Cultural Centre; D.B. Binu, President, Ernakulam District Consumer Commission; and K.N.K. Namboothiri, Member, Senior Citizens Commission.
The award, comprising a citation, plaque, and a cash prize of ₹25,000, will be presented at a function scheduled to be held in Kochi in June 2026, RTI Kerala Federation State President Adv. Shashi Kizhakkada and General Secretary Jolly Pavelil announced.
Dr. Jose Abraham, who is also the Founder and Global President of Pravasi Legal Cell, has been widely recognized for his numerous interventions aimed at legally empowering migrant communities and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). His advocacy efforts have contributed significantly to improving access to justice and information mechanisms for expatriates. The establishment of online RTI portals across states and High Courts has greatly benefited overseas Indians, enabling them to file RTI applications digitally instead of relying on postal submissions from abroad.Among his notable achievements is the legal leadership behind the landmark court judgment that led to the abolition of the controversial nursing bond system, bringing major relief to healthcare professionals.
Commenting on the recognition, Mr. Sudheer Thirunilath, Global Spokesperson of Pravasi Legal Cell and President of the PLC Bahrain Chapter, stated that the award is also a recognition of the diverse initiatives undertaken by Pravasi Legal Cell in the field of legal empowerment and access to information.He affirmed that Pravasi Legal Cell will continue its dedicated efforts to strengthen legal awareness, transparency, and access to justice for expatriate communities through meaningful interventions and advocacy.
