RTI Act Simplified (2025 Citizen’s Handbook)

Plain-language guide to the Right to Information Act, 2005 (India).
Educational material, not legal advice.

1) What is RTI?

The RTI Act, 2005 empowers any Indian citizen to request information from Public Authorities (Central/State governments, departments, PSUs, municipalities, universities, etc.). The Public Information Officer (PIO) must reply within statutory timelines.

2) Who can file?

Any Indian citizen (no age limit).
NRIs who are Indian citizens can file.
You do not need to give reasons for seeking information (Sec. 6(2)).

3) Where can you file?

Central Govt: RTI Online portal or by post to the Ministry/Dept PIO.
State Govt: State RTI portal (where available) or by post to the Dept PIO.
Local bodies/Universities/PSUs: write to their PIO.

4) What information can you ask for?

Ask for existing records: files, orders, circulars, note sheets, certified extracts, registers, inspection records, file-movement, dates, actions taken, names/designations of officers, and applicable rules.

✅ Tip: Write “Please provide certified copies of…” instead of asking “why” or opinions.

5) What cannot be disclosed? (key exemptions)

Under Section 8(1), info may be refused if it relates to:

Security/strategic interests/foreign relations
Court-barred disclosures
Trade secrets/commercial confidence
Fiduciary information (unless larger public interest)
Info from foreign government in confidence
Life/physical safety or identifying sources
Ongoing investigation/arrest/prosecution
Cabinet papers while under consideration
Personal information without public interest

Other limits: Sec 9 (copyright on third-party work), Sec 11 (third-party procedure), Sec 7(9) (not in a form that disproportionately diverts resources).

🔓 Public-interest override: Many 8(1) exemptions can be overridden if larger public interest justifies disclosure.

6) Fees (general)

Application fee usually ₹10 (varies by state rules).
Copy/print/inspection charges extra as per rules.
BPL exemptions may apply with proof.

7) Timelines

30 days from receipt by PIO (Sec. 7(1)).
48 hours if it concerns life or liberty.
Add +5 days if filed via APIO.
First Appeal: within 30 days of PIO reply/non-reply.
Second Appeal: within 90 days to CIC/SIC after First Appeal order or lapse.

8) How to write a strong RTI

Identify the Public Authority/PIO correctly.
Use sections: Subject, Background (1–2 lines), Information Sought (numbered).
Ask for documents/records with date ranges & file numbers; seek certified copies.
Ask for file-movement (who handled, dates, actions).
Mention fee mode and request intimation of additional charges.
Provide preferred mode of receipt (email/post) and contact details.
Add citizenship declaration and signature.

9) Appeals & Complaints

First Appeal (Sec. 19(1)) → to FAA within 30 days (delay, deemed refusal, unsatisfactory reply).
Second Appeal (Sec. 19(3)) → to CIC/SIC within 90 days.
Complaint (Sec. 18) → to CIC/SIC for issues like no PIO appointed/refusal to accept RTI.

10) Model “Information Sought” points (examples)

“Certified copy of the note sheet, correspondence, and orders on file no. __ from //__ to __//__.”
“File-movement/diary entries: names/designations of officers, dates of receipt/forwarding, and actions taken.”
“Certified copy of the rules/GR/circular governing __ as on date.”
“Current status of application no. __ with dates and officer names handling it.”

11) Do / Don’t

Do: be specific, ask for records, give date windows, keep a polite formal tone.
Don’t: ask “why”/opinions, seek creation of new data, or ask beyond the authority’s domain.