Right to Information: Practical Guide

Step-by-step guides

1. 1.

   Ask for records, not grievance redress

   Turn a complaint into a focused request for existing government records, with practical RTI examples.

2. 2.

   Choose the right public authority

   Find the record holder, distinguish Central and State authorities, and choose an official RTI filing channel.

3. 3.

   Write a focused RTI request

   Use numbered questions, a clear date range and a useful response format without unnecessary ID documents.

4. 4.

   RTI fees and BPL exemption

   Understand Central RTI fees, copying charges, BPL proof and why State fees must be checked separately.

5. 5.

   RTI response periods and exceptions

   Understand the usual 30-day response period, 48-hour life-or-liberty rule, transfers and fee pauses.

6. 6.

   Exemptions, personal information and severability

   Read the current personal-information exemption alongside public interest, redaction and reasoned refusals.

7. 7.

   Prepare an RTI first appeal

   Organise the original request, response or non-response, specific grounds and relief for the First Appellate Authority.

8. 8.

   Second appeal and complaint: different routes

   Understand the distinction between Section 19 appeals and Section 18 complaints before approaching an Information Commission.

Useful terms

PIO / CPIO / SPIO

Public Information Officer; the Central or State authority’s officer handling information requests.

FAA

First Appellate Authority; an officer senior to the PIO in the same authority.

Public authority

An institution within Section 2(h); not every private company automatically qualifies.

Severability

Section 10: access to a non-exempt portion that can reasonably be separated from protected material.