Section 6: Request for obtaining information
Right to Information Act, 2005 · Current English text and original study guidance. Independent educational content, not legal advice or a government service.
Understand this section
Requests may be written or electronic, in English, Hindi or the official language of the area. Applicants need not explain why they want the information. A transfer under subsection (3) must be made as soon as practicable and no later than five days, with the applicant informed.
Original Banaka explanation · checked 30 September 2026 · not a substitute for the statute.
Related guide, examples and knowledge check →English statutory text
DoPT consolidated edition, 18 November 2025. Line wrapping and PDF footnote numbers removed; consolidation brackets and omission marks retained. See the official PDF for amendment footnotes and schedules.
6. Request for obtaining information.
(1) A person, who desires to obtain any information under this Act, shall make a request in writing or through electronic means in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area in which the application is being made, accompanying such fee as may be prescribed, to—
(a) the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, of the concerned public authority;
(b) the Central Assistant Public Information Officer or State Assistant Public Information Officer, as the case may be, specifying the particulars of the information sought by him or her:
Provided that where such request cannot be made in writing, the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, shall render all reasonable assistance to the person making the request orally to reduce the same in writing.
(2) An applicant making request for information shall not be required to give any reason for requesting the information or any other personal details except those that may be necessary for contacting him.
(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.