The lead. RTI is one tool. India has many. Use the right one for the job — file the wrong, and you waste 30 days. This pillar maps RTI against every parallel route citizens have, with a decision matrix.
| Need | Best tool | Backup |
| Information about a decision | RTI | None — RTI is the legal right |
| Action on a stuck file/service | CPGRAMS + RTI parallel | DC/CMO grievance app |
| Allegation of corruption | Lokpal/Lokayukta + RTI evidence | CBI complaint, CVC |
| Time-sensitive court relief | Article 226 writ in HC | Supreme Court Article 32 |
| Bank/financial grievance | RBI Banking Ombudsman + RTI | Consumer court |
| Insurance/IRDAI dispute | IRDAI Bima Bharosa + RTI | Consumer court |
| Telecom/TRAI dispute | TRAI redressal + RTI | Consumer court |
| Election dispute | ECI complaint + RTI | HC writ |
| Consumer issue (₹0-1 cr) | National Consumer Helpline + Consumer Court | RTI for documents |
| Income-tax grievance | e-Nivaran + RTI | Tax tribunal |
| GST grievance | GST grievance + RTI | GST appellate |
| Whistleblower-on-corruption | Whistleblower Act + Lokpal | RTI for evidence base |
For most citizen problems, file:
All three the same day. Costs Rs 10. Doubles your odds vs filing only one.
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When RTI is not the right tool — or when it is but needs a parallel filing — these guides spell out the alternatives and the do-no-harm rules.
* Common RTI Myths Busted — what you can and cannot ask (2026)
More comparisons: browse every RTI-vs-alternative side-by-side in RTI vs Alternatives: the full comparison hub <!– rti-wiki-comparisons-hub-2026-vs-start –>