First Appeal format under §19(1) — 2026

Most RTI applications do not fail on law — they fail on delivery: no reply, a half reply, a wrong section cited, or an invented fee. §19(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 gives you one free, in-house remedy against all of these. It is faster than a second appeal, needs no lawyer, and creates the paper trail a Commission later wants to see. Skipping it is the single most common reason second appeals get returned.

• PIO replied but refused or half-answered — within 30 days of receiving that reply.
• PIO never replied — the 30-day clock of §7(1) expired; your appeal window runs 30 days from that expiry.
• Fee demanded beyond the rules — treat it as constructive refusal and appeal.
• Life or liberty case — the PIO had 48 hours; appeal immediately after that.
• Missed the window? — the FAA can still admit a delayed appeal for “sufficient cause” under §19(3)'s spirit; attach a short explanation. Do not fabricate reasons.

• Your name, address, phone and email.
• The original RTI application number and date, and a copy of it.
• The PIO's reply date and a copy — or a line stating “no reply received till date”.
• Grounds: point by point, what was not given and why the refusal looks wrong. Cite the section misused, e.g. §8(1)(j) personal information with no public-interest test, or a §7(9) excuse without offering another format.
• Prayer: the relief you want — directed supply of information, waiver of any wrongly demanded fee, and penalty proceedings under §20 where justified.
• Enclosures list, date and signature.

Keep it to a page and a half. A focused appeal gets read; a re-argument of the whole dispute does not.

To: The First Appellate Authority, [Office name], [Address].

Subject: First Appeal under §19(1), RTI Act 2005, against
the reply/non-reply of the PIO dated [DATE].

Appellant: [Name, full postal address, phone, email].

1. I filed an RTI application no. [NUMBER] dated [DATE],
   a copy is enclosed.
2. The PIO [replied on DATE, copy enclosed / did not reply
   within 30 days, the statutory period ending DATE].
3. Grounds of appeal:
   a. [Point not answered / wrongly refused under §8(1)(X)
       without applying the public-interest test.]
   b. [Fee of Rs.__ demanded though the State schedule
       prescribes Rs.__.]
   c. [Information belong to another office — §6(3) transfer
       within 5 days was not done.]
4. Prayer: direct supply of the complete information in
   [print/CD], waive the excess fee, and consider action
   under §20 for the delay.
5. The appellant prefers communication by post and email.

[Signature, name, date]
Enclosures: RTI copy, PIO reply, fee proof.

For a filled-in version built from your own PIO reply, use the First Appeal Builder.

• In person — at the office of the public authority (the FAA sits in the same office as the PIO, usually one rank senior). Take a stamped receiving copy.
• By post — to “The First Appellate Authority, [office]”. Keep the speed-post receipt; the tracking printout proves the filing date.
• Online, central public authorities — the “Submit first appeal” tab on rtionline.gov.in against your registration number. Free.
• Online, states — only where a state portal exists; see the state RTI portal directory.

In almost every state the first appeal is free — §19(1) itself prescribes no fee. Two states do charge under their own notified rules: Maharashtra (Rs 20, Rule 5 of the 2026 Rules) and Bihar (Rs 10). If you file in either, attach the fee and keep the receipt; everywhere else a free plain-paper appeal is the norm.

• Disposal within 30 days, extendable by a maximum of 15 days with reasons in writing — §19(6).
• A speaking order: reasons for each point, not “appeal disposed”.
• Remedies include directing supply, waiving fee, and ordering §20 penalty proceedings against the PIO.

1. No FAA order in 45 days — or an order against you — the second appeal lies to the Information Commission within 90 days under §19(3): second appeal route and the ready second appeal format.
2. FAA simply absent — some offices never designate one; that itself is a complaint ground under §18(1) before the Commission.
3. Track the clock properly — the first appeal timeline calculator works out your exact dates.

• Addressing it to the PIO or the Commission — the FAA is the correct addressee.
• Re-arguing the whole grievance instead of the information refusal.
• Forgetting to attach the RTI copy and the PIO reply — the FAA then asks for them and the clock drags.
• Filing by email to an office that accepts only post or in-person delivery — check the PA's RTI disclosure under §4(1)(b).
• Waiting past day 60 in a no-reply case and then hunting for condonation.

No. Plain paper works in every state and for the Centre. Some offices print their own optional format; it is never mandatory.

Usually not for simple cases — the order issues on papers. Either side may request an opportunity of being heard, which §19(5) requires the FAA to give “reasonable opportunity”.

Yes — request it in your prayer. Only the Information Commission can actually impose it, but the FAA can recommend and forward.

That is an incomplete supply — appeal it the same way, asking for a legible certified copy.

• First Appeal guide — complete strategy
• First appeal deadlines, worked out
• Second Appeal format — CIC
• Deemed-refusal first appeal template
• The RTI Playbook

Last reviewed: 27 August 2026.