Learn how to file a RTI Application in simple steps.

1. By Sahil Jain
www.facebook.com/sahil2441
www.getup4change.org

2.  What is Information ? [Sec 2(i)&(j)]
 Definition of a Public Authority. [Sec 2(h)]
 Request of Information under Section 4 or 6
 Whom to address the Application ?
 Beauty of Section 6(3)
 Disposal of Request
 Fees
 Format of the Application
 Important tips
 1st Appeal
 2nd Appeal
 Penalties

3. Section 2(j): "right to information"
means the right to—
 (i) inspection of work, documents,
records;
 (ii) taking notes, extracts or certified
copies of documents or records;
 (iii) taking certified samples of material;
 (iv) obtaining information in the form of
diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes
or in any other electronic mode or
through printouts where such information
is stored in a computer or in any other
device;

4. Section 2(i): "record" includes—
 (a) any document, manuscript and file;
 (b) any microfilm, microfiche and facsimile copy
of a document;
 (c) any reproduction of image or images
embodied in such microfilm (whether enlarged
or not); and
 (d) any other material produced by a computer
or any other device;

5.  Section 2(h):
"public authority" means any authority or body or
institution of self- government established or
constituted—
 (a) by or under the Constitution;
 (b) by any other law made by Parliament;
 (c) by any other law made by State Legislature;
 (d) by notification issued or order made by the
appropriate Government,
and includes any—
 (i) body owned, controlled or substantially financed;
 (ii) non-Government organization substantially
financed,
 directly or indirectly by funds provided by the
appropriate Government;

6.  SuoMoto Disclosures- Section 4
17 points under Section 4(b) defines the Suo
moto disclosures.
E.g. Budget allocation, Plan/Non-plan
Expenditures, subsidy programmes etc.
 Otherwise, any citizen of India can file a RTI
application under section 6.

7.  Every Govt. Dept. has a Public Information
Officer(PIO) for this purpose.
 CPIO at the Centre Govt. Departments and
SPIO at State Govt. departments.
 You can find this out easily from the
internet.
 Incase you do not know who PIO is, you can
just address it to the ‘Public Info. Officer,
Name of the Department’.

8. Section 6(3): Where an application is made to a public
authority requesting for an information,—
 (i) which is held by another public authority; or
 (ii) the subject matter of which is more closely
connected with the functions of another public
authority,
the public authority, to which such application is
made, shall transfer the application or such part of it
as may be appropriate to that other public authority
and inform the applicant immediately about such
transfer:
 Provided that the transfer of an application pursuant
to this sub-section shall be made as soon as
practicable but in no case later than five days from
the date of receipt of the application.

9.  You can pay fees either by Demand Draft or
Postal order.
 The most convenient is Postal order, which can
easily be purchased from a Post Office

10.  You can draft your application in English,
Hindi or any regional language.
 You can draft in on a simple blank page.
 Some departments have already made a
sample format on their website, but it’s
not mandatory.
 Mention duration of the Information
required.
 Any number of questions can be asked.
 Questions should be precise an to the
point.

11.  Ask for the unique file number, in your
RTI.
 You can also mention an inspection
clause.
 Information asked must be on record.
 Always remember to take a photocopy of
your application and DD/IPO before filing
a RTI.
 Always send it through speed post or
Registered post.
 If possible, attach a Acknowledgement
with the RTI.

13.  Rs 10 is the fees for obtaining information
from any Central Govt. Office/ Department.
 However, some State Govt. have amended
the RTI Act.
 This can be checked on the internet.
 No fees shall be charged from people who
are of BPL(Below Poverty line).
 At maximum, information should be provided
within 30 days.
 Section 7(3): Further fees of Rs 2/page and
Rs 50/CD shall be charged.

14. Section 19(1):
 Besides the PIO, every Govt. Dept. must
appoint an officer to whom 1st appeal be
made.
 If you do not get the reply to your RTI within
30 days, or, you are not satisfied with the
reply, you can make a appeal to the 1st
Appellate Authority within 30 days from such
decision.
 The reply of 1st appeal must come within 30
days.

15. Section 19(3):
 If you are not satisfied with the reply of 1st
appeal, or, you do not get any reply, you can
file a complaint(2nd Appeal) with State
Information commission(SIC) or Central
information Commission(CIC).
 2nd Appeal must be filed within 90 days from
date of the decision made by First Appellate
Authority .

16. Section 20(1):
 The SIC/ CIC shall impose a penalty of Rs
250/day till application is received or
information is furnished, so however, the
total amount of such penalty shall not
exceed Rs 25,000.