Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, an Indian citizen can seek information held by a public authority. The procedure is generally straightforward, but it is important to send the application to the correct authority and frame the questions clearly.
Key points:
Identify the correct public authority
First determine which government department or public authority holds the information.
For example, information about municipal records may need to be sought from the concerned municipal authority, while information about a Central Government department should generally go to that department.
If an application is sent to the wrong public authority, it can generally be transferred to the authority concerned under Section 6(3). The transfer should be made as soon as practicable and, in any case, within five days.
Decide what information you want
RTI can be used to seek information or records held by a public authority.
Questions should preferably ask for specific records, documents, orders, reports, file details, data, or certified copies.
Avoid asking the PIO to give opinions, explanations, or solve a grievance that does not involve existing information.
Some information can be exempt from disclosure under Sections 8 and 9 of the RTI Act.
Prepare the RTI application
Write the application clearly in English, Hindi, or the official language applicable to the area.
Mention the information required in numbered points.
You generally do not have to explain why you want the information.
Submit it to the PIO/CPIO/SPIO
For a Central Government public authority, the application is normally addressed to the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO).
For a State Government public authority, it is generally addressed to the State Public Information Officer (SPIO).
Applications can be submitted physically or through the appropriate online system.
Pay the application fee
For Central Government RTI applications, the prescribed application fee is generally ₹10.
A person holding a valid Below Poverty Line (BPL) certificate is exempt from the application fee, subject to the applicable rules.
Additional charges may apply for providing copies or other forms of information, depending on the applicable fee rules.
Use the Central RTI Online Portal where applicable
The official RTI Online portal can be used for Central Government ministries, departments and other listed Central public authorities.
It should not be used for State Government public authorities; those applications may be returned without refund.
After submission, a registration number is generated so that the application can be tracked.
Wait for the statutory time limit
Normally, the PIO must provide the information or reject the request within 30 days of receiving the application.
If the information concerns the life or liberty of a person, the applicable period is 48 hours.
If the authority fails to respond within the prescribed period, the request is treated as a deemed refusal.
File a First Appeal if necessary
If you receive no response, receive incomplete information, or are dissatisfied with the PIO's decision, you can generally file a First Appeal before the First Appellate Authority.
Under Section 19(1), the first appeal is ordinarily filed within 30 days from the expiry of the response period or from receiving the PIO's decision.
No fee is charged for a first appeal under the Central RTI Online system.
Second Appeal
If the matter is still not satisfactorily resolved after the first appeal, a Second Appeal can generally be filed before the Central Information Commission (CIC) for Central public authorities or the concerned State Information Commission (SIC) for State public authorities.
Keep proof of everything
Keep a copy of the RTI application.
Preserve the payment receipt, postal receipt or online registration number.
Keep copies of the PIO's response and any appeal documents.
These records are important if you need to pursue a first or second appeal.
Conclusion
The basic RTI process is: identify the correct public authority → frame specific questions → submit the application to the PIO/appropriate authority → pay the prescribed fee → wait for the statutory response period → file a First Appeal if required → pursue a Second Appeal before the appropriate Information Commission if necessary.
