Right To Information FAQs

Right to Information: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Method of Seeking Information?

A citizen who desires to obtain any information under the Act should make an application to the
Public Information Officer of the concerned public authority in writing in English or Hindi or in the
official language of the area in which the application is made. The application should be precise and
specific. He should make payment of the application fee at the time of submitting the application as
prescribed in the Fee Rules.
2. What is Information?
Information is any material in any form. It includes records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions,
advice, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data
and material held in any electronic form. It also includes information relating to any private body
which can be accessed by the public authority under any law for the time being in force.
3. What is a Public Authority?

A "public authority" is any authority or body or institution of self-government listed or constituted by
or under the Constitution; or by any other law made by the Parliament or a State Legislature; or by
notification issued or order made by the Central Government or a State Government. The bodies
owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Central Government or a State Government and
non-Government organisations substantially financed by the Central Government or a State
Government also fall within the definition of public authority. The financing of the body or the NGO
by the Government may be direct or indirect.
4. What is the Fee for Seeking Information from Central Government Public Authorities?
A person who desires to seek some information from a Central Government Public Authority is
required to send, along with the application, a demand draft or a banker’s cheque or an Indian Postal
Order of Rs.10/- (Rupees ten), payable to the Accounts Officer of the public authority as fee
prescribed for seeking information. The payment of fee can also be made by way of cash to the
Accounts Officer of the public authority or to the Assistant Public Information Officer against proper
receipt. However, the RTI Fee and the mode of payment may vary as under Section 27 and Section
28, of the RTI Act, 2005 the appropriate Government and the competent authority, respectively, by
notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.
5. What is the Fee for the BPL applicant for Seeking Information?
If the applicant belongs to the below poverty line (BPL) category, he is not required to pay any fee.
However, he should submit proof in support of his claim to belong to the below poverty line.
6. Is there any specific Format of the Application?

There is no prescribed format of application for seeking information. The application can be made on
plain paper. The application should, however, have the name and complete postal address of the
applicant.
7. Is it required to give any reason for seeking information?

The information seeker is not required to give reasons for seeking information
8. Is there any assistance available to the Applicant for filing RTI application?
If a person is unable to make a request in writing, he may seek the help of the Public Information
Officer to write his application and the Public Information Officer should render him reasonable
assistance. Where a decision is taken to give access to a sensorily disabled person to any document,
the Public Information Officer, shall provide such assistance to the person as may be appropriate for
inspection.
9. . What is the Time Period for Supply of Information?

In the normal course, information to an applicant shall be supplied within 30 days from the receipt of
the application by the public authority. If the information sought concerns the life or liberty of a
person, it shall be supplied within 48 hours. In case the application is sent through the Assistant
Public Information Officer or it is sent to the wrong public authority, five days shall be added to the
period of thirty days or 48 hours, as the case may be.
10. Is there any organization(s) exempt from providing information under RTI Act?
Yes, certain intelligence and security organisations specified in the Second Schedule, are exempted
from providing information except the information pertaining to the allegations of corruption and
human rights violations

Right To Information FAQs

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Right To Information FAQs

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Right to Information: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Method of Seeking Information?

3. What is a Public Authority?

6. Is there any specific Format of the Application?

7. Is it required to give any reason for seeking information?

9. . What is the Time Period for Supply of Information?

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