What you can ask for
The Right to Information Act, 2005 lets any Indian citizen request information held by a "public authority": government ministries and departments, municipal bodies, public sector banks and companies, police, government schools and hospitals, and bodies substantially funded by government.
"Information" includes records, documents, emails, file notings, opinions, circulars, contracts, reports, samples and data held in electronic form. You can ask for copies, or to inspect files in person.
You don't have to give a reason for asking (Section 6(2)). Some information is exempt under Section 8, for example where disclosure would harm national security, a fair trial, or someone's privacy without a larger public interest.
How to file an RTI
Online (central government bodies)
- Go to rtionline.gov.in and choose "Submit Request".
- Pick the ministry or department and fill in your details and questions.
- Pay ₹10 online (citizens below the poverty line are exempt, with proof).
- Save the registration number to track your request.
Many states run their own RTI portals for state departments. If yours doesn't, file offline.
Offline (by post or in person)
- Write the application on plain paper and address it to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the department.
- Write "Application under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005" at the top.
- Ask clear, specific questions. Number them, and ask for copies of documents rather than opinions or explanations.
- Pay the fee: ₹10 for central bodies by IPO, DD or court-fee stamp. State fees vary by state rules.
- Send it by Speed Post or registered post and keep the receipt as proof of the date.
Tip: Ask for what is on file, e.g. "certified copies of the file notings on my application no. X dated Y", not "why was my application rejected?" Specific requests get specific answers.
Deadlines
| Situation | Time to reply |
|---|---|
| Normal request | 30 days from receipt |
| Concerns the life or liberty of a person | 48 hours |
| Filed through an Assistant PIO | 35 days |
| Transferred to another authority | 30 days from receipt by the correct authority |
If the PIO doesn't reply in time, it is treated as a refusal ("deemed refusal"), and information later supplied must be given free of charge.
If you get no reply or a bad reply
- First appeal (Section 19(1)): file it with the First Appellate Authority, a senior officer in the same department, within 30 days of the reply or the deadline. There is no fee for central bodies.
- Second appeal (Section 19(3)): if still unsatisfied, appeal to the Central or State Information Commission within 90 days of the first appeal decision or its deadline.
The Information Commission can impose a penalty on a PIO of ₹250 per day of delay, up to ₹25,000, for refusing or delaying information without reasonable cause (Section 20).
Frequently asked questions
What is the fee for an RTI application?
₹10 for central government public authorities. Applicants below the poverty line are exempt. State governments set their own fees, which may differ.
How long does the government have to reply to an RTI?
30 days from receipt, or 48 hours if the information concerns the life or liberty of a person.
Do I have to give a reason for my RTI request?
No. Section 6(2) of the RTI Act says an applicant is not required to give any reason for requesting information.
Can I file an RTI against a private company?
Not directly. But you can ask a public authority for information it holds about a private body, such as a regulator holding inspection reports.