Table of Contents
How the PIO reply deadline shifted in recent circulars — citizen guide
Quick Reply: How DoPT and CIC have refined the §7 reply deadline since 2024 — the four cases where the clock pauses, and what citizens should do.
The §7(1) “30 days” rule sounds simple. In practice, the clock can be paused, restarted, or extended through five circulars and ten CIC orders since 2024.
The original rule
§7(1) RTI Act 2005: PIO must reply within 30 days of receipt. §7(1) proviso: 48 hours if life/liberty. §7(5): if information requires “third party” consultation under §11, add 40 days.
Where it shifts
- Receipt vs allotment. Earlier, some PAs ran the clock from “allotment to PIO”. CIC/2024 ruled the clock starts from receipt at the PA, not internal routing.
- Online filing. RTI Online Portal logs receipt timestamp. PIOs cannot dispute the start date.
- Defective application. A 2024 DoPT OM clarified: a “defective” application requesting clarification does not pause the clock. The PIO must reply with information available + the clarification request.
- Fee-deficiency. §7(3) lets PIO ask for additional fee. Clock pauses only on this written request, restarts on payment.
- Transfer under §6(3). When PIO transfers to another PA, original PIO has 5 days to transfer; the receiving PIO's clock starts on receipt — but cannot exceed 35 days from original receipt.
What citizens should do
- Always file via RTI Online Portal for unambiguous timestamp.
- If transferred under §6(3), follow up at day-30 with both PAs.
- Defective application — re-submit promptly but without conceding the clock.
- Day 30 + 1: file First Appeal under §19(1) — do not wait.
The clock favours the precise applicant. Print these rules; pin in your RTI folder.
Sources
- RTI Act 2005 §7, §6, §11.
- DoPT Master Circular on RTI 2024 update.
- CIC orders 2024-25 on §7 timeline.
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.