Table of Contents
RTI Information Format — Paper / Digital / Inspection (2026)
Quick Reply: Section 7(9) — applicant's right to choose form of information delivery. PIO cannot refuse a form. * Standard RTI format * Add: “I request the information in the.
Under §7(9), you can ask for information in any form: paper copies, digital file, inspection of records, certified copy. PIO must comply unless disproportionate.
What the form needs
- Standard RTI format
- Add: “I request the information in the following form: [paper / digital / inspection / certified copy]”
- For digital: specify format (PDF / Excel / scanned)
- For inspection: specify proposed dates
- For certified copy: cite §7(9) for fee schedule
Where to submit
Same as standard RTI.
Fee
Per state schedule.
Timeline
30 days for delivery / inspection.
Tips + common mistakes
- §7(9) is a RIGHT, not a request — PIO cannot refuse without specific reason
- Inspection is FREE for first hour. Then per state.
- Digital format saves photocopy fees
- Certified copy useful for court / official use
If submitted form is rejected / delayed — file an RTI
Forms get “lost”, “incomplete”, “wrong section” — RTI brings out the actual file noting and officer name, which usually resolves the issue within 15 days.
Auto-fill the PIO + your case: Open the RTI Drafter →
Sample completed form — what to include
When you submit any RTI-related form, ensure these fields are filled correctly:
- Applicant name — exactly as on Aadhaar / PAN / Voter ID
- Postal address — for the PIO to send the reply by Speed Post
- Phone + email — optional but recommended for clarification
- Subject of request — one-line description (≤ 250 chars)
- Specific records sought — itemised list, NOT free-form questions
- Fee mode — IPO / court-fee / DD / online / BPL exemption
- Date + signature — applicant's full signature with date
- Severance + transfer clauses — quote §10(1), §10(2), §6(3) of RTI Act
Common rejection grounds at submission
- Wrong state form — many states mandate their own Form A. Check your state's RTI Rules.
- Fee not enclosed — non-acceptance memo. ALWAYS include the IPO / receipt.
- No applicant signature — return memo. Sign with date.
- Multiple subjects in one application — split into separate applications. PIOs can return composite applications.
- Vague language — re-frame as “certified copy of [specific document]”, not “everything about my case”.
Citizen action steps if your application is rejected
- Day 0 — file with proper IPO / fee + sign + date.
- Day 30 — silence by PIO = deemed refusal under §7(2). File §19(1) First Appeal.
- Day 60-90 — if FAA fails, escalate to State Information Commission under §19(3).
Use AI RTI Drafter (free, 60 seconds) to auto-generate the form with the correct fee + state form variant.
Citations and sources
- Right to Information Act, 2005 — full text
- State RTI Rules — see all-state directory
- Anjali Bhardwaj v. UoI (2019) 9 SCC 199 — IC accountability