FAA timelines — §19(1), §19(6), §7(3) interaction (2026)

RTI Act §7(1) [PIO 30 days]; §7(3) [fee deposit additional 30 days]; §7(8) [PIO speaking order]; §19(1) [filing 30 days]; §19(6) [FAA decision 30/45 days]; §19(3) [second appeal 90 days].

• §19(1) filing window — 30 days from PIO order receipt OR expiry of §7(1) timeline.
• §19(6) decision window — 30 days standard, 45 with written reasons.
• Both windows are mandatory; condonation (filing) requires reasoning; extension (decision) requires written justification.
• §7(3) fee-clock interaction — additional 30 days when PIO demands additional fee + applicant deposits.
• Beyond 45-day FAA timeline — applicant can directly approach IC.
• FAA silence is actionable — IC has consistently held silence is equivalent to denial.

1. Receipt date — Date stamp on appeal at FAA office. Triggers 30-day clock.
2. Acknowledge applicant within 7 days — Improves trust; reduces parallel grievances.
3. Schedule hearing within 15 days — Enables natural-justice compliance.
4. Conduct hearing + draft order — Within 25 days. Use checklist for completeness.
5. Sign + dispatch order before day 30 — Speed Post / portal upload. Get receipt.
6. Where extension to 45 needed — Issue written extension order before day 30, citing reasons.
7. Maintain timeline log — For each appeal, log filing → hearing → decision dates.

Timeline tracking sheet for FAA office:

| Appeal No. | Applicant | Filed | Acknow. | Hearing | Order Drafted | Order Dispatched | Days |
|------------|-----------|-------|---------|---------|---------------|------------------|------|
| FA/2026/01 | Mr X      | 1 Apr | 5 Apr   | 12 Apr  | 22 Apr        | 28 Apr           | 27   |
| FA/2026/02 | Mrs Y     | 5 Apr | 8 Apr   | 18 Apr  | 30 Apr [ext]  | -                | -    |

For appeal exceeding 30 days, issue extension order:

ORDER under §19(6) — Extension of Disposal Timeline

In the matter of First Appeal No. [____] filed by [name] on [date]:

The undersigned First Appellate Authority hereby exercises the power under §19(6) of the RTI Act, 2005 to extend the disposal timeline beyond the standard 30 days for the following written reasons:

(i) The appeal raises a substantial question on §[X] application requiring detailed examination;
(ii) Inspection of the record was scheduled for [date] and is essential before a reasoned order can be passed;
(iii) The PIO has filed a detailed written response on [date] requiring consideration.

The extended disposal date is hereby fixed at [original date + 15 days]. Both parties are informed accordingly.

[FAA Name, Designation, Date]

Hearing within 15 days, order drafted by day 22, dispatched by day 28.

Day 25 extension order issued; final order by day 45.

Common hearing + consolidated order; counts toward each appeal's 30-day timeline.

§7(3) clock pauses for fee deposit time but FAA timeline runs separately.

Designate alternate FAA in advance; cannot use absence as defense.

• CIC, Re: Mahant Sukhdev v UoI (CIC 2007) — FAA silence beyond 30 days = applicant can move IC directly.
• CIC, Re: Anant Tripathi (CIC 2010) — Extension under §19(6) requires written reasons; oral extension invalid.
• Bhagat Singh v CIC (Delhi HC 2007) — Both PIO and FAA timelines are mandatory; non-compliance attracts §20 penalty.
• CIC stricture series 2018-2024 — Hundreds of cases where FAA timeline breach was treated as institutional failure.

• Treating timelines as guidelines — they are mandatory.
• Verbal extension or “informally extending” — invalid under §19(6).
• Not designating alternate FAA — leave used as defense (rejected by IC).
• Counting from FAA receipt instead of office receipt — clock starts at office.
• Combining multiple appeals without preserving individual timelines.
• Failing to issue acknowledgement — applicant claims FAA never received.

• Use a tickler system — calendar reminder for day 25.
• Maintain a hearing calendar — schedule batches efficiently.
• For complex appeals, issue extension within first 15 days — gives 30 more days, cleaner record.
• Train your office to date-stamp + log every appeal at receipt.
• For repeated extensions on similar issues, consider general direction to PA — faster for everyone.
• Develop standard templates for routine reply scenarios — saves drafting time.

No — but FAA must dispose of the appeal within 30/45 days. Hearing can be telephonic or written.

FAA can decide ex-parte under principles of natural justice. Document the absence.

Yes — but condonation request must be considered with reasoning.

No — §7(3) is for PIO timeline. FAA timeline is independent of fee.

Successor must dispose within original timeline; PA must designate continuity.

• pio faa knowledge base
• faa appellate review checklist
• faa section 19 8 powers
• act/section-19
• act/section-7

RTI Act §19(1), §19(6); CIC database; Bhagat Singh v CIC (Delhi HC 2007); ICRPC handbook.

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.