Quick answer. RTI can get you copies of government records: files, orders, circulars, reports, inspection notes, bills, contracts, beneficiary lists, file movement, status reports and certified copies. Ask for an existing record, not a personal opinion or explanation. Most normal RTIs must be answered within 30 days.
If you are short on time: use the AI RTI Drafter and describe the record you want in one sentence.
Many first-time applicants ask, “Why was my work delayed?” or “Why did the officer reject my request?” RTI usually works better when you ask for the file that contains the answer.
Instead of asking “Why is my pension pending?”, ask for the pension file movement, noting sheet, deficiency memo, pending officer name, and copies of orders passed on your application.
That small change makes your RTI harder to reject. It also gives you evidence for a grievance, first appeal, consumer complaint, service tribunal, or court case.
Under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, “information” includes records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, log books, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models and electronic data held by a public authority.
This means you can ask for:
If your work is pending, do not only ask for “status”. Ask for the records behind the status.
Good RTI wording:
Please provide certified copies of: 1. The complete file movement sheet for my application dated [date]. 2. All noting sheets, deficiency memos and orders recorded on the file. 3. The name and designation of each officer with whom the file remained pending. 4. The rule or circular prescribing the normal time limit for disposal.
Use this format for pension, mutation, ration card, passport, scholarship, municipal licence, FIR copy, building plan, refund, subsidy and other public-service delays.
RTI is useful when public money has been spent or promised.
You can ask for:
For public works, ask for the tender, work order, measurement book and payment vouchers together. These records show what was promised, what was measured, and what was paid.
If an office rejects your application, cancels a benefit, delays a service, or demands extra documents, ask for the rule.
Good RTI wording:
Please provide a certified copy of the rule, circular, notification or office order under which the above requirement was imposed.
If the office cannot show a rule, that helps you in appeal or grievance proceedings.
If a file is large, ask for inspection first. Section 2(j) includes the right to inspect records and take notes or extracts.
Good wording:
Please allow inspection of the complete file relating to [subject] and permit me to identify pages for certified copies.
Inspection is useful for building permissions, tender files, school records, municipal works, land records and long-running complaints.
RTI is powerful, but it is not a magic question-answer service.
RTI usually cannot compel an officer to:
If you need action, use RTI to collect the records, then file the correct appeal, grievance or complaint.
| Situation | Ask for these records |
| — | — |
| Pension delay | file movement sheet, noting sheet, deficiency memo, pending officer details |
| Road work quality | tender, work order, measurement book, bill, completion certificate |
| Scholarship not paid | beneficiary list, approval note, payment file, rejection reason on record |
| Police complaint | diary entry, action taken report, forwarding letters, inquiry report if complete |
| Municipal property mutation | application file, inspection report, objection note, disposal timeline rule |
| Ration card deletion | deletion order, notice copy, verification report, rule relied on |
Ask for the file notings, file movement and pending officer details. If the reason is recorded, you will get it. If no reason is recorded, that fact itself helps your grievance.
Yes, file notings are generally information under Section 2(f), subject to valid exemptions such as Section 8.
Sometimes. Records about public duty, public money or public action may be disclosable. Purely personal information can be refused under Section 8(1)(j) unless larger public interest is shown.
No. RTI gives records. Use those records in a first appeal, grievance, consumer complaint, departmental complaint, or court case.
Ask for inspection and identify the pages you need. Also narrow your date range, office and subject.
Last reviewed: 17 May 2026 — RTI Wiki editorial team.