The Right to Information Act 2005 (RTI) is an Act of the Parliament of India “to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens.” The Act applies to all States and Union Territories of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir has its own act called Jammu & Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009.This law was passed by Parliament on 15 June 2025 and came fully into force on 13 October 2005.
Today we will be showing you how to File RTI application on your own and what all procedures are involved and what can you expect from RTI application.
-
What sort of Information can i obtain under RTI?
The RTI aims to allow citizens to ask for records, documents, circulars, contracts, reports, papers, emails, memos and all other information held in print or electronic form from the public authorities, i.e. all the governing bodies. There are certain sections of administrative activities that are exempt from the RTI Act, details of which can be found in Section 8 and 9 of RTI Act 2005.
The RTI Act 2005 also empowers citizens to physically inspect the records that have been duly maintained by the government and its administrative bodies.
-
How and Who Can ask for such Information?
All citizens of India are eligible to ask information or to inspect records of governing administrative bodies other than those exempted from RTI Act 2005.
In order to ask for such information, you need to file up application with Central Public Information Officer (CPIO). Every Government body have CPIO and will answer your RTI query in stipulated period of time.
-
What Should be Format of RTI Application?
Please note, there need not be any format for RTI application. It can be given on a simple paper. Your name as well as your correspondence address must be given in that application without which RTI application is incomplete. So your name and address is compulsory
What is the fee to apply for RTI Application?
There applies a nominal fee for your application under RTI. There are various sections under which you will have to pay the amount.
Initial Application:
- You need to pay a fee of Rs. 10 in Cash, Demand Draft or Cheque.
Fees for Information sought:
- Rs. 2 per page printed, copied or created in A4 or A3 size
- Cost of the page or paper
- Rs. 50 per disc if information is given in that form
- Cost or actual price of sample or models requested under the RTI Act
Fees for inspection of records
- First hour is free after which there is a fee of Rs. 5 per hour
Time Taken for getting the answer:
In case of application that concerns life and security of a person, the answer should be give in 48 hours. but for various other applications, the information is given in table below:
| For PIO to reply to application | 30 days from date of receipt of application |
| For PIO to transfer to another PA under Sec 6(3) | 5 days from date of receipt of application |
| For PIO to issue notice to 3rd Party | 5 days from date of receipt of application |
| For 3rd Party to make a representation to PIO | 10 days from receipt of notice from PIO |
| For PIO to reply to application if 3rdParty involved | 40 days from date of receipt of application |
| For applicant to make First Appeal | 30 days from date of receipt of PIO’s reply or from date when reply was to be received |
| For First Appellate Authority to pass an order | 30 days from receipt of First Appeal OR Maximum 45 days, if reasons for delay are given in writing |
| For applicant to make Second Appeal before CIC/SIC | 90 days from receipt of First Appeal orders or from the date when orders were to be received |
| For CIC/SIC to decide Second Appeal | No time limit specified |
And If you dont get your answer back in stipulated period of time, then:
Generally you get your reply in time period as per above table, but still if you dont get, you will have to send a letter to Central Information Commission.
No comments yet.