Old Tender File or Contract Copy? Use RTI

Reviewed on: 2026-05-30.

Subject: Request to resolve old tender file or contract copy needed through rti

RTI is useful when a public authority holds the record behind old tender file or contract copy needed through rti. Ask for information, not action. Good RTI points are: current status of file, date-wise movement, copies of deficiency notes, inspection reports, payment release note, dispatch record, rule relied upon, name and designation of the office holding the file, and copies of correspondence between offices. Do not ask the PIO to “solve my grievance” or “punish the officer”. RTI cannot force a private company to refund money unless the record is held by a public authority, but it can expose government-side delay, missing file movement or reasons.

• GeM
• Central Public Procurement Portal
• MSME Samadhaan
• RTI Online

• Practical action guides
• Public procurement and government payment guides
• Tender details RTI
• RTI for government contract award
• PIO tender and contract RTI guide

1. Step 1: How to get old tender file or contract copy through RTI? (a) Tender file: (i) government tender/contract records — public documents, (ii) RTI Act 2005: right to tender records, (iii) 2026: e-tendering — but old records still paper, (b) key rules: (i) RTI Act 2005: right to government records — including tenders, (ii) Section 4(1)©: suo motu disclosure — tender details, (iii) Section 6: RTI application — for specific tender, © common scenarios: (i) need old tender copy — for reference/dispute, (ii) contract copy needed — for legal case, (iii) tender evaluation sheets — for transparency, (iv) file notings — for decision-making process, (v) old file — not digitized, (d) rights: (i) citizen has right to tender records — RTI Act 2005, (ii) right to appeal — if denied, (iii) right to CIC — for enforcement, (e) authority: Department PIO + First Appellate Authority + CIC, (f) law: RTI Act 2005 + Government Tender Rules.

1. Step 2: Comparison table — tender RTI scenarios. (a) Old tender: (i) issue: need old tender copy — for reference/dispute, (ii) remedy: RTI to department PIO, (iii) timeline: 30 days, (iv) example: filed; received; used, (b) Contract: (i) issue: contract copy needed — for legal case, (ii) remedy: RTI + court, (iii) timeline: 30 days, (iv) example: filed; received; used in court, © Evaluation: (i) issue: tender evaluation sheets — for transparency, (ii) remedy: RTI to department, (iii) timeline: 30 days, (iv) example: filed; received; exposed, (d) File notings: (i) issue: file notings — for decision-making process, (ii) remedy: RTI — file notings are public, (iii) timeline: 30 days, (iv) example: filed; received; exposed, (e) Old file: (i) issue: old file — not digitized, (ii) remedy: RTI + department library, (iii) timeline: 30-60 days, (iv) example: filed; retrieved; received. (Note: Tender records are public. RTI Section 4(1)©. 30 days. CIC for enforcement.)

1. Step 3: How to get tender records through RTI. (a) Step 1: Identify department — that issued tender, (b) Step 2: File RTI — to PIO, © Step 3: Specific details — tender number + date, (d) Step 4: 30 days — for response, (e) Step 5: First Appeal — if denied, (f) Step 6: CIC — for enforcement.

1. Step 5: Practical tips. (a) be specific — tender number + date, (b) file notings are public — demand them, © Section 4(1)© — suo motu disclosure, (d) CIC very effective — for enforcement, (e) Example: A contractor filed RTI for old tender evaluation; received in 30 days; exposed irregularities.

1. Step 6: Key provisions. (a) RTI Act 2005, (b) Section 4(1)©, © Section 6, (d) 30-day timeline, (e) CIC: cic.gov.in.

See Tender RTI and Govt Invoice and How to File RTI.