RTI application

Any citizen can ask a public authority, such as a ministry, municipal corporation, police department, public sector bank or government school, for information it holds: records, file notings, reasons for a decision, or the status of an application.

The law behind it

Under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, you apply in writing or electronically to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the authority, with the fee. You do not have to give a reason. Under Section 7, the PIO must give the information or reject the request with reasons within 30 days; where it concerns a person's life or liberty, within 48 hours. Section 8 lists the information that can be withheld, such as information affecting national security or personal information with no public interest.

Fee and how to apply

• For central government authorities, the fee is Rs 10, payable online on the RTI Online portal; applicants below the poverty line pay no fee.
• State governments set their own fees and forms.
• Ask specific questions about records, not opinions or hypothetical questions.

Appeals

If you get no reply or an unsatisfactory one, file a first appeal with the First Appellate Authority within 30 days (Section 19(1)). If that fails, a second appeal lies to the Central or State Information Commission within 90 days.

Draft an RTI application and an RTI first appeal.