How to File an RTI: A Step-by-Step Guide

The How to File an RTI process is simple once you know which public authority holds the information you need. The Right to Information Act, 2005 gives citizens a legal right to seek information from public authorities. It also sets timelines for authorities to respond to valid requests.

You can use an RTI application to seek government records, data and other information held by a public authority. This guide explains the RTI Act, the application process, the ₹10 fee, response timelines and the appeal process.

What is the RTI Act?

The Right to Information Act, 2005 created a legal framework that allows citizens to access information held by public authorities. The law aims to promote transparency and accountability in government functioning.

The Act covers Union and State government departments, local authorities and organisations that receive substantial government funding. It can therefore apply to a wide range of public bodies, including ministries, municipal authorities, public sector undertakings and government-aided institutions.

However, the Act also provides exemptions. Certain intelligence and security organisations listed in the Second Schedule generally fall outside its scope. Even so, the law permits disclosure in cases involving allegations of corruption or human rights violations, subject to the statutory conditions.

The RTI Act applies across India. Following the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, the central RTI Act also applies there.

How to File an RTI

You can file an RTI application online, by post or in person. Before filing, identify the department that holds the information and find the relevant Public Information Officer (PIO).

Step 1: Identify the Public Authority

First, determine which government department, ministry, local authority or other public body holds the information you need. Then identify its PIO.

Government departments generally provide PIO details on their official websites. You can use these details to send your application to the correct authority.

Step 2: Draft the RTI Application

Write your request clearly and specifically. Ask for information or records that the public authority can provide.

You can type or handwrite the application. While some departments may provide a suggested format, you do not have to follow a mandatory template simply to make a valid request.

If you cannot write the application yourself, you can ask the PIO to record your request on your behalf.

Step 3: Pay the RTI Application Fee

The standard RTI application fee is ₹10. Depending on the method available to the relevant authority, you can pay through cash, demand draft, banker’s cheque, Indian Postal Order or online payment.

Applicants who qualify under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category can claim exemption from the application fee by providing the required certificate.

Additional charges may apply if providing the information involves costs such as photocopying. In such cases, the PIO should inform you about the additional amount before releasing the information.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Once you complete the application and payment, submit it through your chosen method:

• Online: Through the government RTI portal for central government departments.
• By post: Send the application to the relevant PIO, preferably through a trackable postal service.
• In person: Submit the application directly at the concerned PIO’s office.

Keep a copy of your application and proof of submission or payment for your records.

Step 5: Track the RTI Response

A PIO generally has 30 days to respond to an RTI application.

However, a request concerning the life or liberty of a person requires a response within 48 hours.

Certain situations can extend the standard period. For example, applications submitted through an Assistant Public Information Officer or applications transferred to another public authority can attract an additional five days under the Act.

How to File an RTI Online

For central government departments, you can use the government’s RTI portal to submit an application electronically. The process generally involves entering the required applicant and request details, submitting the application and paying the fee online.

After successful payment, the system registers the application and forwards it to the concerned PIO.

Therefore, online filing can be convenient when the relevant public authority falls within the central government’s RTI portal system.

RTI Response and Appeal Process

A PIO may provide the requested information, reject the request under an applicable exemption or fail to respond within the prescribed period.

If you do not receive a response within the applicable deadline, or if you are dissatisfied with the response, the RTI Act provides an appeal mechanism.

First Appeal

You can file an RTI first appeal before the First Appellate Authority (FAA) of the concerned public authority. The FAA is a senior officer within the department who reviews the PIO’s decision or failure to respond.

The first appeal provides an opportunity to challenge an incomplete, delayed or unsatisfactory response.

Second Appeal

If the first appeal does not resolve the issue, you can file a second appeal before the appropriate Information Commission.

The Central Information Commission handles matters concerning central public authorities, while the relevant State Information Commission handles matters involving state public authorities.

Therefore, applicants should keep copies of the original RTI application, the PIO’s response, the first appeal and relevant supporting documents throughout the process.

Why File an RTI?

The RTI process gives citizens a practical way to obtain information from public authorities. It can help individuals understand how a government department handled a particular matter or obtain records relating to public expenditure, government schemes and administrative decisions.

For example, an applicant may use RTI to seek information about a delayed government application, the implementation of a public project or the status of a government scheme.

The process also does not normally require legal representation. Moreover, the statutory response timelines provide a clear framework for government authorities to deal with information requests.

Ultimately, how to file an RTI comes down to four important steps: identify the correct public authority, draft a clear request, pay the applicable fee and submit the application through the appropriate channel. If the authority does not respond properly, the RTI appeal process provides further remedies.