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—guide:applicant:best-rti-questions [2026/07/10 20:10] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(best RTI questions,how to phrase RTI,records not opinions RTI,RTI question examples,RTI drafting tips)
 +metatag-description=(How to phrase RTI questions so the PIO has to answer. Records-only language, sample question patterns, and the seven categories of bad RTI questions that get refused. Free templates for 2026.)}}
  
 +====== Best RTI Questions: How to Ask for Records, Not Opinions ======
 +
 +<WRAP center round tip 100%>
 +**Direct answer.** The single biggest reason RTIs get refused is that the citizen asked for an **opinion** ("why was the contract awarded to X?") instead of a **record** ("certified copy of file noting and the comparative bid evaluation that led to award of contract no. ABC dated …"). Section 2(f) of the RTI Act 2005 defines information as material that is **already on file** — files, documents, samples, models, opinions recorded on file, advice. It does not include opinions to be **created** by the PIO. Phrase every question to ask for a record that exists. The seven question patterns and worked examples below cover most everyday RTIs.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +A well-phrased RTI saves the citizen weeks of appeals. The Public Information Officer is required to supply records, not to write essays for you. Asking the right way the first time is a skill, not an art. This page gives you the seven proven patterns, the seven anti-patterns, and worked examples by topic.
 +
 +===== When this matters most =====
 +
 +  * Your RTI is rejected as "vague" or "not specific".
 +  * Your RTI is partly answered with one-line replies dodging the substance.
 +  * Your RTI is transferred multiple times under Section 6(3).
 +  * The PIO writes "no information available" but you know the records exist.
 +  * You filed a long, multi-page application and got nothing back.
 +
 +===== Legal basis =====
 +
 +  * **Section 2(f)** — definition of "information" — material in any form, including records, documents, memos, advice, opinions, **already held by or under the control of any public authority**.
 +  * **Section 2(j)** — definition of "right to information" — including inspection of work, taking notes, certified samples, etc.
 +  * **Section 6(1)** — the application must be in writing or by electronic means, accompanied by the prescribed fee.
 +  * **Section 7(1)** — PIO to provide the information within 30 days.
 +
 +===== The seven patterns of a good RTI question =====
 +
 +  - **Pattern 1: "Furnish certified copies of …"**
 +    * "Furnish certified copies of the bid evaluation matrix used for award of work order no. ABC dated 12-04-2026."
 +  - **Pattern 2: "Provide a list of …"**
 +    * "Provide a list of all sub-contractors empanelled by this office between 1-04-2024 and 31-03-2026, with date of empanelment, period of validity and contact address."
 +  - **Pattern 3: "Furnish the file noting from page X to Y of file …"**
 +    * "Furnish a certified photocopy of pages 1 to 47 of file no. F.123/2024-XYZ."
 +  - **Pattern 4: "Furnish the date of receipt and current status of …"**
 +    * "Furnish the date of receipt and current status (with reference number) of the application made by Mr Sharma on 5-03-2026."
 +  - **Pattern 5: "Furnish the orders / circulars / OMs issued under …"**
 +    * "Furnish certified copies of all Office Memoranda issued by this office under Rule 12 of the Service Rules between 1-04-2025 and 31-03-2026."
 +  - **Pattern 6: "Inspect / allow inspection of records of …"**
 +    * "Permit inspection under Section 2(j)(i) of the file relating to project XYZ on a date convenient to the office, between 11:00 and 16:00 hours."
 +  - **Pattern 7: "Furnish the present incumbent of … with date of joining"**
 +    * "Furnish the name, designation and date of joining of the present incumbent of the post of [post title] in this office."
 +
 +===== The seven anti-patterns of a bad RTI question =====
 +
 +  - **"Why" questions.** "Why was the project delayed?" — opinion, not record. Re-phrase: "Furnish the reasons recorded in writing in file no. F.123 for the delay in project XYZ."
 +  - **"Whether" questions on facts the PIO must investigate.** "Whether the contractor is blacklisted" — re-phrase as "Furnish the present status (active / blacklisted / suspended) of contractor M/s ABC against reference no. R.45."
 +  - **Future-tense questions.** "Will the office sanction my pension?" — re-phrase as "Furnish the present status and the latest noting on file relating to my pension application dated …"
 +  - **Hypothetical questions.** "If the project is approved, what would be the budget?" — these have no record on file and will be refused.
 +  - **Opinion-seeking.** "Does the office consider Mr X eligible?" — re-phrase as "Furnish the order / file noting (if any) recording the eligibility decision of Mr X."
 +  - **Cross-references to outside data.** "Furnish information about XYZ as per the Wikipedia entry" — the PIO answers from her files, not from external sources.
 +  - **Argumentative.** "Why did the negligent officer …" — abusive or argumentative language is a ground for refusal in many SIC orders. Stay neutral.
 +
 +===== Worked examples by topic =====
 +
 +==== Example A — Pension delay ====
 +
 +**Bad.** Why is my pension delayed?
 +
 +**Good.**
 +  - Furnish the date of receipt of my pension papers in this office (Form 5 dated …).
 +  - Furnish the present status (under process / pending sanction / sanctioned / dispatched) of the said papers.
 +  - Furnish a certified photocopy of the latest two notings on file no. F.PEN/2026/XXX.
 +  - Furnish the name, designation and date of joining of the dealing officer.
 +  - Furnish the date by which the case is expected to be disposed of, if such date has been fixed in any internal target.
 +
 +==== Example B — Local road tender ====
 +
 +**Bad.** Why was this contractor chosen?
 +
 +**Good.**
 +  - Furnish certified copies of the tender notice dated …, technical bid evaluation, financial bid evaluation, and the work order no. … under which contract was awarded for the works of …
 +  - Furnish the names of all bidders who submitted bids, their bid amounts and their evaluation scores.
 +  - Furnish the file noting on which the award decision is recorded (page numbers and file reference).
 +  - Furnish a certified copy of the contractor's empanelment letter and any blacklisting / debarment record (if any) against the contractor.
 +
 +==== Example C — School admission rejection ====
 +
 +**Bad.** Why was my child denied admission?
 +
 +**Good.**
 +  - Furnish a certified copy of the admission rejection order dated … bearing reference no. …
 +  - Furnish the eligibility criteria adopted for the relevant academic year, as recorded in the school's circular / order.
 +  - Furnish the marks / criteria scoring of all admitted candidates and of my child, in a comparative table format.
 +  - Furnish a certified copy of the appeal mechanism, if any, recorded in the school's prospectus.
 +
 +==== Example D — Police complaint not registered ====
 +
 +**Bad.** Why has the police not acted on my complaint?
 +
 +**Good.**
 +  - Furnish the date of receipt and serial number of my written complaint dated … submitted at … police station.
 +  - Furnish a certified photocopy of the daily diary (general diary) entry recording the complaint.
 +  - Furnish the present status of action taken (investigation initiated / FIR registered / closed / not yet acted upon).
 +  - Furnish the name, designation and date of joining of the investigating officer assigned to the case (if assigned).
 +
 +===== Step by step: drafting your own =====
 +
 +  - **Step 1.** Write your concern in plain English in two sentences.
 +  - **Step 2.** Identify the **records** that must exist if your concern is real (file notings, orders, registers, lists, notices).
 +  - **Step 3.** Convert each record into a numbered point starting with "Furnish certified copies of …" or "Provide a list of …".
 +  - **Step 4.** For each point, specify date range, file reference (if known), and the format (paper / digital).
 +  - **Step 5.** Cross out anything that starts with "Why", "Whether", "Will" or "If".
 +  - **Step 6.** Read the points aloud — if any point sounds like a question to a teacher, re-write.
 +  - **Step 7.** Limit to 5 to 8 points per RTI. Beyond that, file separate RTIs.
 +  - **Step 8.** Add the boilerplate: applicant details, fee details, request for Section 6(3) transfer if records lie elsewhere, signature.
 +
 +===== Common mistakes =====
 +
 +  * **Trying to fit a complaint into an RTI.** RTI is for records. Complaints go to the grievance redressal mechanism (CPGRAMS, jansunwai, etc.).
 +  * **Asking for **all** records on a topic** without date or reference. PIOs use this as a reason to charge unrealistic additional fees.
 +  * **Mixing subjects.** Filing one RTI on five different files. PIOs treat this as multiple applications and may charge multiple fees.
 +  * **Forgetting Section 6(3) language.** Always add "If any portion of the information is held by another public authority, kindly transfer the application under Section 6(3)."
 +
 +===== If your RTI is refused as "vague" =====
 +
 +  * Read [[guide:applicant:rti-rejection-fix|RTI rejected? How to fix it in first appeal]].
 +  * Cite *Adesh Kumar v. Union of India* (Delhi High Court, 2014) — irrelevance / vagueness must be specifically demonstrated by the PIO, not asserted.
 +  * Cite *Bhagat Singh v. CIC* (Delhi High Court, 2007) — the PIO has a Section 5(4) duty to seek assistance and not to refuse on procedural grounds.
 +
 +===== Frequently asked questions =====
 +
 +==== Is there a maximum number of points per RTI? ====
 +
 +The Act does not prescribe a limit. CIC practice tolerates 5 to 8 numbered points. Beyond that, expect partial answers.
 +
 +==== Can I ask for opinion-on-record? ====
 +
 +Yes. If a file contains an opinion already recorded ("the legal opinion of Director (Law) dated …"), that is a record under Section 2(f) and you can ask for it. You cannot ask the PIO to write a fresh opinion.
 +
 +==== Can I ask the PIO to interpret a rule? ====
 +
 +No. Interpretation is not information. Ask for the rule itself and the office's standing orders / clarifications under it.
 +
 +==== Can I ask for samples or inspection? ====
 +
 +Yes. Section 2(j) covers inspection of work, taking notes, samples and models. Specify the dates and the records you wish to inspect.
 +
 +==== Can I ask in regional language? ====
 +
 +Yes. Section 6(1) allows the application in English, Hindi or the official language of the area. The reply will normally be in the same language.
 +
 +==== What if records do not exist? ====
 +
 +The PIO must reply that the records do not exist. She cannot create records. You may then file a Section 18 complaint if records that are statutorily required to exist (e.g. quarterly meeting minutes) are absent.
 +
 +==== Can I ask for the same information from multiple offices? ====
 +
 +Yes, but the PIO of each office answers from her own files. If you want consolidated information, file at the apex office and request consolidation.
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  * The Right to Information Act, 2005 — Sections 2, 6, 7.
 +  * *Bhagat Singh v. CIC*, Delhi High Court, 2007.
 +  * *Adesh Kumar v. Union of India*, Delhi High Court, 2014.
 +  * Department of Personnel and Training, [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]] — applicant guidelines.
 +
 +===== See also =====
 +
 +  * [[guide:applicant:ai-rti-drafter-how-to-use|How to use AI to draft an RTI]]
 +  * [[guide:applicant:rti-rejection-fix|RTI rejected? How to fix it]]
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application|How to file an RTI application]]
 +  * [[guide:applicant:first-appeal|How to file a First Appeal]]
 +  * [[tools:ai-rti-drafter|Free RTI Drafter tool]]
 +
 +Last reviewed: 9 May 2026.
 +===== What are the best RTI questions to ask? =====
 +
 +Asking the right question is the key to getting useful information under RTI. Here is a guide to crafting the best RTI questions:
 +
 +  - **Principle 1: Ask for records, not opinions.** RTI gives you the right to information (records, documents, data), not opinions. Instead of "Do you think the project was successful?", ask "Provide the project completion report and the physical/financial progress report for [Project Name]."
 +  - **Principle 2: Be specific.** Vague questions lead to vague answers or rejection. Instead of "Tell me about road work," ask "Provide the following for road work in Ward 12, FY 2025-26: (a) budget sanctioned, (b) contractor name, (c) tender date, (d) completion deadline, (e) inspection reports."
 +  - **Principle 3: Ask measurable questions.** Ask for numbers, dates, amounts, names — things that can be verified. "How many complaints were received by the municipality in 2025?" is better than "Are there many complaints?"
 +  - **Principle 4: Ask for file notings.** File notings are not exempt under RTI. Ask "Provide the file notings on File No. [X] related to [subject]."
 +  - **Principle 5: Ask for inspection reports.** For infrastructure projects, ask "Provide all inspection reports filed by the engineer for [Project Name] from [date] to [date]."
 +  - **Principle 6: Ask for fund utilisation.** For government schemes, ask "Provide the fund utilisation certificate for [Scheme Name] for FY 2025-26, including (a) total allocation, (b) amount spent, (c) beneficiaries covered, (d) balance remaining."
 +  - **Principle 7: Ask for beneficiary lists.** For welfare schemes, ask "Provide the list of beneficiaries under [Scheme Name] in [District/Taluk] with their names, ration card numbers, and amounts disbursed."
 +  - **Principle 8: Ask for action-taken reports.** If you have filed a complaint, ask "Provide the action-taken report on my complaint dated [date] bearing reference number [X]."
 +
 +===== Best RTI questions by category =====
 +
 +  - **Roads/infrastructure:** Budget, contractor, tender details, inspection reports, completion status, quality test reports.
 +  - **Welfare schemes:** Beneficiary list, fund utilisation, eligibility criteria, selection process, grievance records.
 +  - **Police/FIR:** FIR status, charge sheet status, investigation report, action-taken report.
 +  - **Education:** Sanctioned intake, admissions list, fee structure, NAAC/NIRF ranking data, infrastructure audit.
 +  - **Health:** Hospital empanelment, medicine stock, equipment status, patient statistics, mortality data.
 +  - **Property/municipal:** Assessment details, mutation status, building permit status, property tax dues history.
 +
 +Use [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]. See [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/cpd/pio/m7-drafting-ai-evaluated|AI-Evaluated RTI Drafting]] and [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-by-state|RTI by State Guide]].
 +
 +{{tag>best rti questions records opinions specific measurable file notings inspection reports fund utilisation 2026}}