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Home Citizen & Digital Right to Information (RTI)

Right to Information (RTI)

The RTI Act, 2005 gives every citizen the power to ask any government body for information — and get a reply within 30 days, or 48 hours if your life or liberty is at stake. It's one of the most powerful, underused tools an ordinary citizen has.

Ask any public authority

Central and state departments, PSUs, and any body substantially funded by government must answer your RTI application.

Fixed, fast timelines

30 days for a normal reply; 48 hours if the information concerns life or liberty; +5 days if transferred between departments.

Free for BPL applicants

Below-poverty-line applicants pay no fee at all; others pay a nominal fee (₹10 for central government requests).

Two free appeals if refused

A First Appeal, then a Second Appeal to the Information Commission — both without any fee, and with penalties on the officer for bad-faith delay.

Real-Life Scenarios

What actually happens, and what to do

Click a scenario to see the law, the exact steps, and who to call.

01

I want to know why my road/civic complaint hasn't been fixed
The Situation

You filed a complaint weeks ago and heard nothing — RTI can force the department to show its own paperwork.

What The Law Says

You can RTI the PWD/Municipal Corporation for the file noting, tender details, contractor name, and the officially sanctioned completion date for work on your road or area.

What To Do — Step By Step
  1. Identify the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the relevant department — usually listed on the department's official website.
  2. Write your request specifying exactly what documents/information you want ('please provide copies of...'), not opinions like 'why hasn't this been done'.
  3. Pay the fee — ₹10 via IPO/demand draft/court fee stamp, or online at rtionline.gov.in for central departments.
  4. You are legally entitled to a response within 30 days.
02

The Public Information Officer refused or ignored my request
The Situation

A blanket 'no' or silence isn't the end of the road — RTI has a built-in, no-cost appeal system.

What The Law Says

Refusal must fall under one of the specific exemptions in Section 8 (national security, cabinet papers, personal information with no larger public interest, etc.). Vague or blanket refusals are invalid and can be appealed.

RTI Sec. 8
What To Do — Step By Step
  1. File a First Appeal with the department's Appellate Authority within 30 days of refusal or non-response — no fee.
  2. If still unsatisfied, file a Second Appeal with the State/Central Information Commission within 90 days — also no fee.
  3. The Information Commission can penalize the PIO up to ₹25,000 personally for unreasonable delay, refusal, or giving false information.
03

How do I actually file an RTI online
The Situation

The process is simpler than most people expect.

What To Do — Step By Step
  1. Go to rtionline.gov.in for Central Government departments (each state runs its own portal, or accepts applications by post).
  2. Register, select the Ministry/Department, write your request in under 500 words, pay the fee online, and submit.
  3. Note your registration number and use it to track the status of your request.
04

I want details on a government project affecting my area
The Situation

A new construction, land acquisition, or policy decision near you, and you want the official paper trail.

What To Do — Step By Step
  1. RTI the relevant department for environmental clearances, land acquisition notices, tender documents, or meeting minutes.
  2. Note that Section 4 of the RTI Act also requires departments to proactively publish many categories of information — check the department's website first, though compliance varies widely.
Know The Law

The legal basis, in plain terms

 Key provisions that apply here

RTI Sec. 6

Any citizen can file a request in writing (or electronically) with the concerned Public Information Officer.

RTI Sec. 7

Information must be provided within 30 days — 48 hours where life or liberty is concerned.

RTI Sec. 8

Narrow, specific exemptions only — national security, cabinet papers, personal privacy without public interest, etc.

RTI Sec. 19

Two-tier appeal system: First Appeal (within the department), then Second Appeal (Information Commission).

RTI Sec. 20

Personal penalty on the PIO — up to ₹25,000 — for unjustified delay, refusal, or false information.

Landmark Cases

Court rulings that shaped this right

The precedents behind the plain-language explanations above.

CPIO, Supreme Court of India v. Subhash Chandra Agarwal(2020) 5 SCC 481 — Held that even the Chief Justice of India's office is a 'public authority' under the RTI Act, subject to disclosure — balanced case-by-case against personal privacy and judicial independence. Verify this case
CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay(2011) 8 SCC 497 — Held that students have a right under RTI to inspect and get copies of their own evaluated answer scripts from the examining board. Verify this case
State-By-State

Filing routes by government level

Central government departments largely use one national portal; most states run their own separate RTI portal or accept only physical applications — check your state's General Administration Department website if in doubt.

Where to file
Central Govt. departmentsOnline via the national RTI portalOpen portal
MaharashtraState RTI portalOpen portal
DelhiOnline + offline applications acceptedOpen portal
Most other statesPostal/in-person application to the PIO; some have partial online portalsOpen portal
Frequently Asked

Quick answers

Can I file an RTI anonymously?
No — you need to give a valid postal address to receive the reply. But the Act specifically says you don't have to give any reason for your request, and your motive shouldn't affect how it's processed.
What if the PIO says the information doesn't exist?
They must state this formally in writing. If you believe that's untrue, raise it explicitly in your First Appeal.
Can I RTI a private company?
Not directly — RTI only covers 'public authorities'. You can RTI a government regulator (e.g. SEBI, RBI, TRAI) about action it took regarding that company.
Is there really a fee waiver for BPL applicants?
Yes — applicants who submit a BPL certificate pay no fee at any stage of the process, including appeals.
Can I RTI my own exam answer sheet?
Yes — following CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay, students are generally entitled to inspect and obtain copies of their own evaluated answer scripts through an RTI request to the board/university.
Does RTI apply to judges and the judiciary?
Yes, with nuance — courts have held judicial administrative offices are public authorities under RTI, but information is still balanced against judicial independence and personal privacy, especially around ongoing case deliberations.
Related Rights

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The Constitution's promises to every citizen — and how to invoke them.

Civic & Municipal Rights

Potholes, garbage, water, streetlights — who's actually responsible.

Voting & Political Rights

Enrolment, EVM/VVPAT, election complaints, and NOTA.

Consumer Rights

Faulty products, refunds, e-commerce fraud, and consumer courts.

Still not sure what applies to you?

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This page explains general Indian law for information purposes and is not legal advice. Laws, portal names, fees and helpline numbers change — please verify current details on the official government website linked above before taking action, and consult a qualified advocate for advice on your specific case.