Right to Information Wiki
Section 18 Complaint Form — Information Commission (2026)

Section 18 complaint to Information Commission — for systemic non-compliance (PIO not designated, no proactive disclosure, repeated delays).

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—forms:section-18-complaint-form [2026/05/05 04:27] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>
 +metatag-keywords=(section 18 complaint, rti complaint to ic, no pio designated complaint)
 +metatag-description=(Section 18 complaint to Information Commission — for systemic non-compliance (PIO not designated, no proactive disclosure, repeated delays).)
 +}}
  
 +====== Section 18 Complaint Form — Information Commission (2026) ======
 +
 +{{:social:auto:form-section-18-complaint-form.png?direct&1200 |Section 18 Complaint Form — Information Commission (2026) — RTI Wiki}}
 +
 +<WRAP info>
 +§18 complaint is **separate from §19 appeals**. Use it when the issue is institutional, not just one denied RTI.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== What the form needs =====
 +  * Complainant name + address
 +  * Public authority complained against
 +  * Specific failures alleged (cite section: §4, §5, etc.)
 +  * Pattern of non-compliance with dates
 +  * Documentary evidence
 +  * Reliefs sought (compliance order + penalty)
 +  * Date + signature
 +
 +===== Where to submit =====
 +IC office (CIC for central, SIC for state PAs).
 +
 +===== Fee =====
 +**FREE** under §18.
 +
 +===== Timeline =====
 +IC convenes inquiry. Can take 6-18 months.
 +
 +===== Tips + common mistakes =====
 +  * §18 complains about INSTITUTION; §19 appeals SPECIFIC RTI
 +  * Both can run in parallel
 +  * IC has §18(2) summon power for evidence
 +  * Complaints often catalyze policy change
 +
 +===== If submitted form is rejected / delayed — file an RTI =====
 +
 +Forms get "lost", "incomplete", "wrong section" — RTI brings out the actual file noting and officer name, which usually resolves the issue within 15 days.
 +
 +**Auto-fill the PIO + your case:** [[:forms:second-appeal-form-cic|Open the RTI Drafter →]]
 +
 +
 +===== Sample completed form — what to include =====
 +
 +When you submit any RTI-related form, ensure these fields are filled correctly:
 +
 +  * **Applicant name** — exactly as on Aadhaar / PAN / Voter ID
 +  * **Postal address** — for the PIO to send the reply by Speed Post
 +  * **Phone + email** — optional but recommended for clarification
 +  * **Subject of request** — one-line description (≤ 250 chars)
 +  * **Specific records sought** — itemised list, NOT free-form questions
 +  * **Fee mode** — IPO / court-fee / DD / online / BPL exemption
 +  * **Date + signature** — applicant's full signature with date
 +  * **Severance + transfer clauses** — quote §10(1), §10(2), §6(3) of RTI Act
 +
 +===== Common rejection grounds at submission =====
 +
 +  * **Wrong state form** — many states mandate their own Form A. Check your state's RTI Rules.
 +  * **Fee not enclosed** — non-acceptance memo. ALWAYS include the IPO / receipt.
 +  * **No applicant signature** — return memo. Sign with date.
 +  * **Multiple subjects in one application** — split into separate applications. PIOs can return composite applications.
 +  * **Vague language** — re-frame as "**certified copy of [specific document]**", not "everything about my case".
 +
 +===== Citizen action steps if your application is rejected =====
 +
 +  - **Day 0** — file with proper IPO / fee + sign + date.
 +  - **Day 30** — silence by PIO = deemed refusal under §7(2). File §19(1) First Appeal.
 +  - **Day 60-90** — if FAA fails, escalate to State Information Commission under §19(3).
 +
 +Use [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]] (free, 60 seconds) to auto-generate the form with the correct fee + state form variant.
 +
 +===== Citations and sources =====
 +
 +  * **Right to Information Act, 2005** — [[:act|full text]]
 +  * **State RTI Rules** — see [[:rules|all-state directory]]
 +  * **Anjali Bhardwaj v. UoI** (2019) 9 SCC 199 — IC accountability
 +
 +===== Related on RTI Wiki =====
 +
 +  * [[:forms:start|All 20 RTI forms + downloads]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|First Appeal Builder]]
 +  * [[:rti-fees-by-state|State-wise fee chart]]
 +  * [[:cases|Case-law database]]
 +
 +===== Original related =====
 +  * [[:forms:start|All 20 RTI forms + downloads]]
 +  * [[:fees:start|RTI fees by state]]
 +  * [[:helplines:start|Helplines + grievance routes]]
 +  * [[:citizen-rti-playbook|Full RTI Playbook]]
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.//
 +
 +{{tag>form section-18-complaint-form download rti-process}}