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+{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(section 18 rti act, rti complaint, rti information commission complaint, section 18 vs section 19, rti complaint procedure)
+metatag-description=(Section 18 of the RTI Act — complaint directly to Information Commission. When to use it versus Section 19 appeal. Full reference with grounds and procedure, 2026.)}}
+====== Section 18 — Powers and Functions of Information Commissions ======
+{{ :social:auto:act-section-18.png?direct&1200 |Section 18 — Complaints to the Information Commission}}
+{{page>snippets:dpdp-banner}}
+<WRAP center round info 95%>
+**In one line:** Section 18 gives any person the right to complain **directly to the Information Commission** (CIC or SIC) about specified procedural and systemic failures — without going through the first-appeal stage. It is the alternative to Section 19 appeals, used when the PIO's failure is procedural rather than substantive.
+</WRAP>
+===== Grounds for a Section 18 complaint =====
+  * **18(1)(a)** — CPIO/SPIO not designated.
+  * **18(1)(b)** — Refusal to receive an RTI application.
+  * **18(1)(c)** — Not given a response within the time specified.
+  * **18(1)(d)** — Required to pay an unreasonable amount as fee.
+  * **18(1)(e)** — Given incomplete, misleading, or false information.
+  * **18(1)(f)** — Any other matter relating to requesting or obtaining information.
+===== Section 18 vs Section 19 — which to use =====
+^ Scenario                                                              ^ Use                                                        ^
+| PIO gave a reasoned refusal you disagree with                         | **Section 19** first appeal                                |
+| PIO refused to accept the application                                 | **Section 18** complaint (18(1)(b))                        |
+| PIO gave knowingly false information                                  | **Section 18** complaint (18(1)(e))                        |
+| Department has no designated PIO                                      | **Section 18** complaint (18(1)(a))                        |
+| Fee demanded is excessive                                             | Either, but 18(1)(d) is faster                              |
+| Systemic non-compliance with Section 4                                | **Section 18** complaint                                    |
+| PIO reply is non-speaking on merits                                    | **Section 19** — speaking-order is a Section 7(8) issue    |
+===== Powers of the Commission under Section 18 =====
+Section 18(2) grants the Commission powers of a civil court for inquiry:
+  * Summoning and enforcing attendance (18(3)(a))
+  * Requiring discovery and inspection of documents (18(3)(b))
+  * Receiving evidence on affidavit (18(3)(c))
+  * Requisitioning public records from any court or office (18(3)(d))
+  * Issuing summons for examination of witnesses (18(3)(e))
+These are substantive powers. Use Section 18 when the Commission needs to **investigate**, not just review.
+===== Landmark rulings =====
+  * **//Chief Information Commissioner v. State of Manipur//, (2011) 15 SCC 1** — clarified the distinction between Section 18 (complaint) and Section 19 (appeal).
+  * **//Anjali Bhardwaj v. UoI//, (2020) 11 SCC 345** — Commission's Section 18 powers support supervisory jurisdiction.
+===== Drafting a Section 18 complaint =====
+<code>
+Complaint under Section 18(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 to the
+[Central / State] Information Commission against
+[public authority / officer].
+Grounds:
+  (i)   [18(1)(a)/(b)/(c)/(d)/(e)/(f) — cite specific clause]
+  (ii)  [Facts with dates and documents referenced]
+  (iii) [Systemic concern, if any]
+Prayer:
+  (a) An inquiry under Section 18(2) into the above.
+  (b) Direction to produce records under Section 18(3).
+  (c) Appropriate relief including Section 20 penalty on
+      the erring officer, if mala fides are established.
+</code>
+===== Related =====
+  * [[act|Back to the full RTI Act]]
+  * [[act:section-19|Section 19 — Appeals (alternative route)]]
+  * [[act:section-20|Section 20 — Penalties]]
+  * [[:rti-vs-complaint|RTI vs Complaint — when RTI is not the right tool]]
+  * [[:templates:first-appeal|First Appeal template]]
+===== Sources =====
+  - RTI Act, 2005, Section 18.
+  - //CIC v. State of Manipur//, (2011) 15 SCC 1.
+  - //Anjali Bhardwaj v. UoI//, (2020) 11 SCC 345.
+//Last reviewed on: 21 April 2026//
+{{tag>rti act section-18 complaint information-commission 2026}}

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