Right to Information (RTI) Act in India: A Citizen’s Guide

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 is one of the most powerful tools available to Indian citizens to ensure transparency and accountability in governance. By giving people the legal right to seek information from public authorities, RTI has become a cornerstone of participatory democracy.

This blog will walk you through the importance of RTI, how to file an RTI application, the provisions and exemptions under the Act, key cases and examples, the use and misuse of RTI, and also provide a ready-to-use application format.

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📜 Legal Framework of RTI Act

• Section 3 – Every citizen has the right to information.

• Section 6 – Procedure for filing applications.

• Section 7 – Time limits for response.

• Section 8 & 9 – Exemptions from disclosure.

• Section 19 – Appeals.

• Section 20 – Penalties for officials for non-compliance or delay (₹250/day, up to ₹25,000).

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📝 Who Can File an RTI?

• Any Indian citizen can file an RTI application.

• No age limit—even minors can use it.

• No reasons required for seeking information.

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📂 How to File an RTI Application

1. Identify the Public Authority

Locate which department holds the information.

2. Draft the RTI Application

Keep it clear, concise, and specific.

3. Mode of Filing

• Offline: Send to the Public Information Officer (PIO).

• Online: https://rtionline.gov.in for central govt; states have separate portals.

4. Fees

• Central Govt: ₹10.

• States: Varies (₹10 in Delhi, ₹50 in Maharashtra, ₹20 in Karnataka).

• BPL Applicants: Exempted.

5. Response Time

• 30 days (general).

• 48 hours (life or liberty).

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🚫 Exemptions under RTI (Sec. 8 & 9)

• National security, defense, and intelligence agencies (Sec. 24).

• Matters barred by courts.

• Commercial confidence, trade secrets.

• Information held in fiduciary capacity.

• Personal information (privacy-related).

• Cabinet papers (until decision is made).

• Ongoing investigations.

⚖️ Section 8(2): If public interest outweighs harm, information may still be disclosed.

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✅ Landmark Cases on RTI

1. State of UP v. Raj Narain (1975): Citizens’ right to know is part of democracy.

2. Union of India v. ADR (2002): Voters have right to know candidates’ criminal & financial background.

3. CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011): Answer sheets fall under RTI; warned against misuse.

4. Girish Ramchandra Deshpande v. CIC (2013): Personal info of officials not disclosable unless public interest is proven.

5. Namita Sharma v. Union of India (2013): Independence of Information Commissions.

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🌟 Examples of RTI in Action

• NREGA (Bihar): RTI exposed fake job cards.

• PDS (Rajasthan): Unearthed diversion of ration supplies.

• Adarsh Housing Scam (Mumbai): Exposed irregular flat allotments.

• Delhi Schools: Checked compliance with EWS quota.

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✅ Use of RTI

• Exposed scams (2G, coal, CWG).

• Improved service delivery (ration, pensions).

• Helped citizens track government spending.

• Strengthened accountability.

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⚠️ Misuse of RTI

• Frivolous queries to harass officials.

• Commercial rivalries using RTI as weapon.

• Bulk/irrelevant queries overburdening PIOs.

• Privacy intrusions without larger public interest.

📌 CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011): SC warned against RTI being used as a tool of harassment.

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📢 Appeal Process

• First Appeal (Sec. 19(1)): To FAA within 30 days.

• Second Appeal (Sec. 19(3)): To CIC/SIC within 90 days.

• Penalties (Sec. 20): PIO fined up to ₹25,000 for unjustified denial/delay.

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📝 Sample RTI Application Format

To,
The Public Information Officer (PIO)
[Name of the Department/Authority]
[Office Address]

Subject: Application under the RTI Act, 2005

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], resident of [Your Address], seek the following information under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005:

1. [Your first clear query]

2. [Your second query, if any]

I am enclosing the prescribed application fee of ₹[amount] through [postal order/DD/court fee stamp/online receipt].

Kindly provide the information within 30 days as per Section 7(1) of the Act.

Applicant Details:
Name: [Your Name]
Address: [Full Address]
Contact: [Optional Phone/Email]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Place: [City]
Signature: [Your Signature]

🔑 Key Takeaways

• RTI is your legal right under Section 3 of the Act.

• Filing is simple—both offline and online.

• Exemptions exist, but public interest can override them.

• Use RTI responsibly to strengthen democracy.

👉 RTI is your democratic right—use it to demand accountability, but not to harass.

⚖️ Disclaimer

This blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy, readers are advised to consult official government sources or legal experts for specific queries.

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📩 Contact

For queries, collaborations, or legal assistance, feel free to connect:

📧 Email: publicrightaction@gmail.com
📱 Mobile: +91-9829015812
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🔗 Blog: Public Right Action

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