Direct answer: Section 8(1)(j) exempts from disclosure personal information that has no relationship to any public activity or interest, OR that would cause an unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual — unless a larger public interest justifies disclosure, or the Information Commission or court is satisfied that the information can be disclosed.
Not everything in a government file is public. Section 8(1)(j) is the privacy-protection clause of the RTI Act. It is often the most-litigated exemption because PIOs frequently over-use it to block legitimate requests.
The exemption has two limbs. First: information that is purely personal (medical records, personal assets, family details) and has no link to public function. Second: information whose disclosure would invade privacy without a countervailing public interest.
Example: Asking the Income Tax department for a neighbour's personal income details — that is genuinely personal and the PIO can rightly cite §8(1)(j). But asking the IT department for the tax status of a government contractor who is doing public works — the Supreme Court and CIC have repeatedly held that public activity strips away the §8(1)(j) shield.
The clause also contains a crucial override: the public interest in disclosure may override the privacy shield. CIC orders consistently hold that public servants' exercise of public duties is not protected by §8(1)(j).
No. §7(8)(i) requires the PIO to specify which sub-clause of §8 applies and give reasons. A bare “personal information” refusal is appealable. Cite §7(8)(i) non-compliance in your First Appeal.
Generally no — salary paid from public funds is considered public information. The CIC has consistently directed disclosure of salary and grade information for public servants. The Supreme Court's Deshpande ruling (2012) supports this.
Yes — §8(1)(j) does not protect information that the applicant is seeking about themselves. Asking for your own service record, pension calculation, or complaint status cannot be blocked under §8(1)(j).
Last reviewed: May 2026. Part of the RTI Wiki definitions series.