Every government hospital maintains routine records of every OPD visit, IPD admission, discharge summary, prescription, lab investigation, billing voucher, referral note and denial endorsement. These are records under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act 2005. Filing an RTI under Section 6, citing the Indian Medical Council Regulations 2002 (Right to Records) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 for medico-legal protection, normally gets you certified copies within 30 days, faster for life-and-liberty matters.
Use this guide if (a) a government hospital refused to admit your relative; (b) you need certified copies of OPD prescriptions, IPD ward records or discharge summaries; © the hospital is delaying release of medical records for an insurance claim; (d) you suspect medical negligence and need the operation theatre register; (e) you were asked to pay for “free” services; (f) a referral note was promised but never given.
The Supreme Court in Indian Medical Association v V P Shantha (1995), Samira Kohli v Prabha Manchanda (2008) and Common Cause v Union of India (2018) has confirmed the patient's right to medical records.
To, The Public Information Officer / Medical Superintendent, [Government hospital name] [Full address] Subject: RTI under Section 6 regarding treatment / billing / referral / denial records of [Patient name], CR No. [number], visit dated [DD/MM/YYYY] Sir / Madam, I, [Full name, relationship to patient if not the patient], a citizen of India, request the following under the RTI Act 2005. Fee of Rs. 10 paid by IPO no. [number]. In respect of the patient [Name], age [age], OPD card / IPD registration number [number], visit / admission dated [DD/MM/YYYY], ward [name / number], under the care of [doctor's name and unit if known]: 1. Certified copy of the OPD register entry. 2. Certified copy of the IPD admission and discharge entry in the ward register. 3. Doctor's progress notes, nurse's notes, vital chart and intake-output chart. 4. Prescriptions issued and the medicines dispensed against each (free / paid). 5. Lab investigation reports and radiology reports. 6. Operation theatre register entry, anaesthetist record, surgical safety checklist (if surgery was done). 7. Blood transfusion register entry (if applicable). 8. Billing vouchers and receipts (if any payment was demanded), with rate list. 9. Referral note issued or denied; and the file noting on the decision to refer. 10. If admission was denied, the endorsement on the OPD card and the reason recorded in writing. 11. Discharge summary and discharge against medical advice (DAMA) form, if any. 12. Standard Operating Procedure for admission, denial and referral in this hospital. I have attached a self-declaration confirming I am the patient / immediate relative authorised to receive these records under IMC Regulations 1.3.2. I invoke Section 10 (severability), third-party data of other patients may be redacted. I undertake to pay further fee under Section 7(3). [If applicable: This is a life and liberty matter under the proviso to Section 7(1); reply is sought within 48 hours.] Yours faithfully, [Signature, name, date]
Under IMC Regulation 1.3.2, within 72 hours of request. Under RTI, within 30 days, or 48 hours if it is a life-and-liberty matter.
Not when you are the patient or an immediate authorised relative with proof. Section 8(1)(j) and Section 11 do not apply against your own records.
No. RTI is a paper-trail tool, the treatment continues regardless. For ongoing emergencies, use the 48-hour life-and-liberty route.
Yes. Most state hospitals and CGHS / Ayushman Bharat empanelled hospitals are bound by the published rate schedule. Ask for it in your RTI.
Yes, for government hospitals. It is treated as a routine register under the State Hospital Service Manual.
Yes. With a death certificate and a relationship affidavit, the next of kin can obtain records, both under IMC Regulations and RTI.
₹2 per A4 page is the central norm. State norms vary. The PIO must intimate the cost under Section 7(3) and give you ten days to pay.
Last reviewed: 9 May 2026.