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).

Section 18 Complaint Form — Information Commission (2026)

Section 18 Complaint Form — Information Commission (2026) — RTI Wiki

§18 complaint is separate from §19 appeals. Use it when the issue is institutional, not just one denied RTI.

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: 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

  1. Day 0 — file with proper IPO / fee + sign + date.
  2. Day 30 — silence by PIO = deemed refusal under §7(2). File §19(1) First Appeal.
  3. Day 60-90 — if FAA fails, escalate to State Information Commission under §19(3).

Use 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 — full text
  • State RTI Rules — see all-state directory
  • Anjali Bhardwaj v. UoI (2019) 9 SCC 199 — IC accountability

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.

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