RTI Application Format — Right to Information Act 2005

# RTI Application Format — Right to Information Act, 2005

The Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) empowers every Indian citizen to request information from any public authority — government departments, PSUs, courts (administrative), statutory bodies, and even certain private bodies that receive substantial government funding. It is one of the most powerful transparency tools available to ordinary citizens, and it is remarkably simple to use.

Under Section 6 of the RTI Act, any citizen can file a written application with the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the relevant public authority, requesting specific information. The PIO is required to provide the information within **30 days** of receipt (10 days if the information concerns the life or liberty of a person). The application fee is Rs. 10 for central government public authorities (state government fees vary but are typically Rs. 10–20).

This page provides an educational guide to the RTI application format. This is for informational purposes only.

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When to Use This Template

File an RTI application when:

- You want to know the status of a pending government application, licence, permit, or scheme

- You want details of a government tender, contract, or expenditure

- You want to obtain copies of official records, files, or decisions that affect you

- You want to know the action taken on a complaint you filed with a government office

- You want information about public works, road repairs, or government schemes in your area

- You are a litigant and want certified copies of court records held by government authorities

- You want to know the qualifications, service record, or appointment process of a public servant (non-personal information)

- You want to expose corruption, irregularity, or inaction by a public authority

**What RTI Cannot Be Used For:**

- Asking for personal information of third parties (unless public interest justifies it)

- Obtaining information from private organisations (except those substantially funded by government)

- Information specifically exempted under Section 8 of the RTI Act (national security, trade secrets, cabinet papers, personal information that serves no public purpose, etc.)

- Asking general "why" or "opinion" questions — RTI is for factual information held in records

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Sample Format

```

To,

The Public Information Officer (PIO)

[NAME OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY / GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT]

[COMPLETE ADDRESS OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY]

[CITY, STATE, PIN CODE]

Date: [DATE IN DD/MM/YYYY]

Subject: Application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005

Sir/Madam,

I, [YOUR FULL NAME], [YOUR ADDRESS — COMPLETE WITH PIN CODE], [YOUR PHONE NUMBER / EMAIL], hereby request the following information under the Right to Information Act, 2005:

DETAILS OF INFORMATION SOUGHT

1. [FIRST SPECIFIC QUESTION / INFORMATION REQUESTED — Be precise and factual. E.g., "Please provide details of all applications for [type of permit] filed with your office between [DATE RANGE], including their current status."]

2. [SECOND SPECIFIC QUESTION — E.g., "Please provide a certified copy of the order / letter / decision dated [DATE] bearing reference number [NUMBER], if any, in respect of [matter]."]

3. [THIRD SPECIFIC QUESTION — E.g., "Please provide information regarding the total expenditure incurred on [project name/road/scheme] in [area/ward] during the financial year [YEAR-YEAR], along with copies of relevant bills and vouchers."]

4. [Add more points as needed — each point should be a separate, specific information request]

PERIOD / REFERENCE

The information requested above relates to the period / reference: [SPECIFY — e.g., "Financial Year 2024-25" / "Application No. [NUMBER] dated [DATE]" / "All records from [DATE] to [DATE]"].

PREFERRED FORMAT

I request that the information be provided in [specify if needed — e.g., "certified copies of relevant documents" / "soft copy by email" / "inspect the records at your office" / "in printed form"].

APPLICATION FEE

I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. [AMOUNT — typically Rs. 10 for Central Govt.] in the form of [INDIAN POSTAL ORDER (IPO) / DEMAND DRAFT / COURT FEE STAMP / ONLINE PAYMENT REFERENCE NO.] in favour of the Accounts Officer, [NAME OF PUBLIC AUTHORITY].

[Note: BPL (Below Poverty Line) applicants are exempt from fee. Attach a copy of your BPL certificate if applicable and write "BPL — Fee Exempted. BPL Certificate enclosed."]

IDENTITY PROOF

[Optional but sometimes required by state authorities — e.g., "Copy of Aadhaar Card / Voter ID enclosed for identification."]

I request that the information be provided within the statutory period of 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR FULL NAME]

[COMPLETE ADDRESS WITH PIN CODE]

[PHONE NUMBER]

[EMAIL ADDRESS]

[DATE]

[SIGNATURE]

```

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Sample First Appeal Format (If PIO Does Not Respond)

```

To,

The First Appellate Authority (FAA)

[NAME OF THE SENIOR OFFICER / DEPARTMENT]

[ADDRESS OF PUBLIC AUTHORITY]

[CITY, STATE, PIN CODE]

Date: [DATE]

Subject: FIRST APPEAL UNDER SECTION 19(1) OF THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005

Sir/Madam,

I, [YOUR NAME], [YOUR ADDRESS], hereby file this First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 against the order / non-response of the Public Information Officer (PIO), [Name of Department], for the following reasons:

1. I had filed an RTI application dated [DATE OF ORIGINAL APPLICATION], which was received by the PIO on [DATE OF RECEIPT / REGISTERED POST DETAILS].

2. [Choose applicable ground:]

a. The PIO has not provided any response within the stipulated 30-day period as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act.

[OR]

b. The PIO vide letter dated [DATE] has rejected my application on grounds of [STATE REASON GIVEN], which is incorrect because [STATE WHY THE REJECTION IS WRONG].

[OR]

c. The PIO has provided incomplete / incorrect / unsatisfactory information as described below: [DESCRIBE].

3. I therefore appeal to the First Appellate Authority to direct the PIO to provide the complete information requested within the time prescribed under the RTI Act.

Enclosures:

1. Copy of original RTI application

2. Postal receipt / proof of delivery

3. PIO's reply (if any)

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, SIGNATURE, DATE]

```

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Key Elements Explained

**Who is the PIO?**

Every public authority is required to designate a Public Information Officer. Their names and contact details should be displayed on the public authority's notice board or website. For Central Government departments, you can also find PIO details on the RTI Online Portal (rtionline.gov.in). For state governments, check the state RTI portal or directly approach the office.

**Framing Your Questions**

This is the most important part. RTI is for information held in documents and records — not opinions or explanations. Bad framing: "Why has my application been delayed?" Good framing: "Please provide the current status and file notings related to Application No. [X] dated [DATE] submitted by [NAME] for [PURPOSE]." Specific questions get specific answers.

**Application Fee**

For Central Government public authorities: Rs. 10. For state government public authorities, fees typically range from Rs. 10–20. Accepted modes vary — Indian Postal Order (IPO) is the safest universal mode. Some offices accept court fee stamps, demand drafts, or online payments. BPL applicants are fully exempted from fee.

**RTI Online Portal**

Central Government RTI applications can now be filed online at **rtionline.gov.in** with digital payment of the fee. This is faster and provides a tracking number. Many state governments also have online portals.

**Deadline to File First Appeal**

If the PIO does not respond within 30 days, or provides incomplete/wrong information, you have **30 days** from the due response date to file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — typically a senior officer in the same department.

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Important Notes

**Keep Copies of Everything**

Retain a copy of your RTI application, the postal receipt, the AD card (acknowledgement), any reply received, and all correspondence. These are needed if you need to file an appeal.

**RTI Cannot Be Used Anonymously**

The RTI Act requires applicants to provide their name and contact details. However, the RTI Act does not require you to state any reason for seeking information (Section 6(2)).

**Information About Third Parties**

Information relating to personal matters of third parties is generally exempt under Section 8(1)(j) unless it can be shown that the larger public interest justifies disclosure. Do not file RTI seeking private/personal information of individuals.

**Second Appeal to Information Commission**

If the FAA also does not provide satisfaction, you can file a Second Appeal before the Central Information Commission (CIC) or State Information Commission (SIC) within 90 days. PIOs can be penalised Rs. 250 per day (up to Rs. 25,000) for unjustified delay or refusal.

**Exempted Information**

Section 8 of the RTI Act lists categories of information that are exempt from disclosure, including information that would affect national security, trade secrets, third-party confidential information, cabinet papers, and information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. These exemptions are however narrowly construed by Information Commissions.

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FAQ

**Q1. Can I file an RTI application against a private company?**

Generally, no. The RTI Act applies only to "public authorities" — bodies established or constituted by law or substantially financed by the government. However, if a private company is receiving substantial government funding or is carrying out a government function, it may be considered a public authority for RTI purposes. File RTI with the government department that regulates or funds that private company for information related to that funding.

**Q2. What if the government office refuses to give information and says it is "confidential"?**

The government must cite a specific exemption under Section 8 of the RTI Act to refuse disclosure. A vague claim of "confidentiality" is not a valid ground. If you receive an unsatisfactory refusal, file a First Appeal before the FAA and, if needed, escalate to the Information Commission. The Information Commission has the power to overrule unjustified refusals and penalise erring PIOs.

**Q3. Is there a fee for filing an appeal?**

No fee is required for filing First Appeals or Second Appeals under the RTI Act. Appeals are free. Additional copies of documents may attract a nominal charge (typically Rs. 2 per page for Central Government authorities).

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*This template is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. RTI procedures may vary slightly between Central and State Government authorities. Consult a qualified advocate or RTI practitioner if your matter is complex or if your appeal has been rejected.*