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RTI vs CPGRAMS — when to use which?

⚠️ DPDP Rules, 2025 (14 Nov 2025) amended Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act — public-interest override now under Section 8(2). Read the note →

· 2026/04/19 05:02

TL;DR. CPGRAMS is for grievance redressal — “fix my problem” (delayed pension, broken streetlight, lost passport file). RTI is for information — “tell me what happened, who decided, when”. Filing the wrong one wastes time. Often, file both for maximum pressure.

Compared

Aspect RTI CPGRAMS
Statutory backing RTI Act 2005 DARPG resolution
Goal Get information Get action
Reply guarantee 30 days §7(1) “reasonable time” (no statutory deadline)
Cost Rs 10 Free
Forum PIO / FAA / CIC/SIC Department officer / nodal officer
Penalty teeth §20 — Rs 250/day on PIO Closure rate metric only
Best for Investigation, paper-trail, accountability Routine service delivery

Hybrid strategy (works best)

File both the same day:

  1. CPGRAMS at pgportal.gov.in — gets routed to a nodal officer with internal pressure
  2. RTI under §6 — creates a statutory paper trail and 30-day deadline

When the RTI reply comes, you have institutional facts. When CPGRAMS closure comes, you have action. Combined: action + accountability.

Examples

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.

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