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--- guide:applicant:second-appeal [2018/06/23 09:22] – Shrawan
+++ guide:applicant:second-appeal [2026/07/06 07:52] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(second appeal under rti, timelimit under the second appeal,format for second appeal under rti, rti second appeal, second appeal to cic)
+{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(rti second appeal, section 19 3 rti, second appeal cic, second appeal sic, 90 days second appeal, second appeal format, condonation of delay rti, deemed faa, second appeal grounds, rti escalation 2026)
-metatag-description=(The detailed infographics on filing the second appeal. This is the most easiest way to learn and understand the second appeal under RTI)
+metatag-title=(RTI Second Appeal Section 19 3 CIC SIC India 2026)&metatag-description=(Section 19 3 RTI Second Appeal to CIC and SIC - 90-day limit, deemed-FAA path, format, grounds, prayer for disclosure plus penalty plus compensation, condonation of delay, FAQ. 2026 citizen guide.)}}
-}}
-{{ :guide:applicant:second_appeal_under_rti.png |}}
-====== Second Appeal ======
+====== RTI Second Appeal under Section 19(3): CIC and SIC Filing Guide 2026 ======
-{{indexmenu>:guide:applicant:second-appeal#3}}
-====== When can you file RTI ======
-{{ :guide:applicant:second_appeal_under_rti_why.png |}}
-  - PIO Refused to take a Right to Information application
-  - PIO Did not provide the information in the period required by  the Act
-  - PIO Refused to give the information with malafide intent
-  - PIO Knowingly gave false, partial or misleading information
-  - Destroyed the information asked for, or obstructed in providing it
-<fs x-large>Anybody who is unhappy or dissatisfied with the decision of the Appellate Authority can file Second Appeal to the Information Commission at the Centre or respective States. You need to send your appeal to the relevant Information Commission in writing.</fs>
-<fs large>For issues related to Central Government public authorities, you need to send your appeal to the Central Information Commission. For matters related to State Government public authorities, send your appeal to concerned State Information Commission. Appeals against Panchayats should also be sent to the relevant State Information Commission.</fs>
+{{ :social:auto:guide-applicant-second-appeal.png?direct&1200 |RTI second appeal - Section 19(3) - RTI Wiki}}
+<WRAP center round tip 100%>
+**Direct answer.** A **Second Appeal under Section 19(3)** of the RTI Act, 2005 is the second and final administrative remedy a citizen has when the **First Appellate Authority (FAA)** has either rejected the first appeal, modified it unfavourably, or failed to decide it within 30 days (45 days with extension). The window is **90 days** from the date the FAA order is received, or - if the FAA is silent - **90 days from Day 31 (or Day 46 if the FAA invoked the 15-day extension under Section 19(6))**. The appeal goes to the **Central Information Commission (CIC)** for Central public authorities and the relevant **State Information Commission (SIC)** for state public authorities. There is **no fee** at the Commission level under the Central Rule. The Commission has the power under **Section 19(8)** to order disclosure, under **Section 19(8)(b)** to award compensation to the applicant, and under **Section 20** to impose a penalty of up to **Rs 25,000** on the PIO. //Note: this page is the canonical second-appeal guide; ''/guide/applicant/second-appeal/start'' covers the same ground and is being merged here under Phase 1 of the segment overhaul.//
+</WRAP>
+===== When you can file a second appeal =====
-====== Time Limit for filing Second Appeal ======
+You can file a Section 19(3) second appeal in any of the following situations:
-{{ :guide:applicant:second_appeal_under_rti_time_limit.png |}}
-<fs x-large>If the appellant is not satisfied with the decision of the first appellate authority, he should file a second appeal to the Information Commission within 90 days of the unsatisfactory decision. However, if the first appellate authority does not pass any order within the 30 day period it is a ‘deemed refusal’, and the appellant should file a second appeal within 90 days,  i.e. within 120 days of filing the first appeal.
+  - You filed a **Section 19(1) first appeal** within 30 days of the PIO's order (or of the deemed refusal under Section 7(2)), and the FAA **rejected** the appeal.
-</fs>
+  - The FAA **modified** the PIO's order in a way you find unsatisfactory (partial disclosure, fee not waived, time not condoned).
+  - The FAA **failed to pass any order within 30 days** of receipt of the first appeal (or 45 days where the FAA invoked the 15-day extension under Section 19(6)). This is the **deemed-FAA path** - silence equals refusal for second-appeal purposes, the same way a silent PIO equals deemed refusal at first-appeal stage.
+===== The 90-day limitation =====
+Section 19(3) reads:
+> //"A second appeal against the decision under sub-section (1) shall lie within ninety days from the date on which the decision should have been made or was actually received, with the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission:
+> Provided that the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission, as the case may be, may admit the appeal after the expiry of the period of ninety days if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time."//
+So:
+^ Trigger event ^ Day-zero of the 90-day clock ^
+| FAA passes an order and you receive it on Day X | Day X |
+| FAA fails to pass any order within 30 days of first appeal | Day 31 from first-appeal filing |
+| FAA invoked Section 19(6) 15-day extension and is still silent | Day 46 from first-appeal filing |
+**The proviso lets the Commission condone delay** if you show //sufficient cause//. Use a sworn affidavit; the Commission has condoned delay in genuine cases of medical illness, lockdown disruption, document non-receipt, and counsel error.
+===== CIC vs SIC: where to file =====
+  * **CIC** ([[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]]) - for any **Central public authority** (Union Ministries, central PSUs, central commissions, the Election Commission, central universities, etc.).
+  * **State Information Commission** - for **state public authorities** (state ministries, state PSUs, state commissions, municipal corporations, panchayats, district administration, state universities). Find your SIC from the [[:state-rti-portals-directory|state RTI portals directory]] or via the [[:state-rti-master-guide|state RTI master guide]].
+If you are unsure whether the body is "central" or "state", look at which government **created or substantially funds** it. The Commissions decide jurisdiction at scrutiny; if the wrong Commission is approached, it is forwarded under Section 6(3) but you lose time. When in doubt, file at the SIC and mention //"in the alternative, kindly forward to CIC if jurisdiction so requires."//
+===== Documents required =====
+  - Cover letter / Memorandum of Second Appeal addressed to the **Registrar** of the Commission.
+  - Copy of the **original Section 6(1) RTI application** + proof of dispatch (Speed Post AD slip, online acknowledgement).
+  - Copy of the **PIO's reply** (or evidence of non-reply after 30 / 48-hour limit).
+  - Copy of the **Section 19(1) first appeal** + proof of dispatch.
+  - Copy of the **FAA's order** (or evidence of non-reply after 30 / 45-day window).
+  - **Statement of grounds** - what information remains undisclosed, why the FAA reasoning was wrong, what relief is sought.
+  - **Index of all enclosures** with consecutive page numbers.
+  - **Identity proof** - Aadhaar / passport / voter ID showing Indian citizenship (a self-attested copy is standard).
+  - **Verification clause** at the end of the Memorandum (treated as a private affidavit).
+  - **Affidavit for condonation of delay**, if filed beyond 90 days.
+===== Memorandum of Second Appeal - copy-paste format =====
+<code>
+BEFORE THE [CENTRAL / STATE] INFORMATION COMMISSION
+Second Appeal No. _______ of _______
+(under Section 19(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005,
+read with Rule 8 of the RTI Rules, 2012)
+Appellant:      Respondent No. 1:
+[Full name]     The Public Information Officer,
+[Indian residential   [Public authority name],
+address]      [Address].
+[Email and phone]
+          Respondent No. 2:
+          The First Appellate Authority,
+          [Public authority name],
+          [Address].
+MEMORANDUM OF SECOND APPEAL
+. Brief facts:
+ (a) On [date], the appellant submitted an RTI application under
+   Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 to Respondent No. 1 (Annexure A).
+   The Rs 10 application fee was paid by IPO no. [X] (Annexure B).
+ (b) On [date], Respondent No. 1 [described what PIO did or did not do]
+   (Annexure C).
+ (c) On [date], the appellant filed a First Appeal under Section 19(1)
+   to Respondent No. 2 (Annexure D).
+ (d) On [date / "till date"], Respondent No. 2 [described FAA decision
+   or silence] (Annexure E).
+ (e) The present second appeal is filed within 90 days of [trigger
+   event] under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act, 2005.
+. Grounds of appeal:
+ (i) The PIO's reply / non-reply contravenes Section [..] of the
+   RTI Act, 2005, in that [...].
+ (ii)  The FAA failed to apply Section 19(8)'s mandatory factors
+   and / or to give a speaking order, in violation of //Bhagat
+   Singh v. CIC// (2008) and //R.K. Jain v. UoI// (2013).
+ (iii) The information sought is not exempt under Section 8 / 9 / 11,
+   and even if any portion is exempt, the non-exempt portion is
+   severable under Section 10 and ought to have been supplied.
+ (iv)  [Other grounds - e.g. fee illegally demanded, Section 7(5)
+   BPL exemption ignored, Section 7(1) timeline breached].
+. Prayer:
+ The Hon'ble Commission is most respectfully prayed to:
+ (a) ALLOW the present second appeal under Section 19(3);
+ (b) DIRECT the respondent PIO under Section 19(8)(a) to furnish,
+   free of cost, the complete information sought in the RTI
+   application dated [date], within such time as the Commission
+   may direct;
+ (c) IMPOSE penalty under Section 20(1) on the PIO at Rs 250 per
+   day of delay, subject to the statutory maximum of Rs 25,000;
+ (d) RECOMMEND disciplinary action under Section 20(2) against the
+   PIO and the FAA for malafide handling of the appellant's
+   request;
+ (e) AWARD compensation under Section 19(8)(b) for the detriment,
+   loss, and time suffered by the appellant; and
+ (f) PASS such other orders as the Commission may deem fit.
+Verification:
+I, [name], the appellant above-named, do hereby verify that the
+contents of paragraphs 1 and 2 above are true to my own knowledge
+and belief, that no part of it is false, and that nothing material
+has been concealed therefrom.
+Date:              [Signature of appellant]
+Place:               [Name of appellant]
+ENCLOSURES (each authenticated and verified by the appellant):
+  Annexure A: Copy of the RTI application dated [date].
+  Annexure B: Proof of fee payment / IPO copy.
+  Annexure C: Copy of the PIO's reply / proof of non-receipt.
+  Annexure D: Copy of the First Appeal dated [date].
+  Annexure E: Copy of the FAA's order / proof of non-receipt.
+  Annexure F: Identity proof (self-attested).
+  Annexure G: Index of documents.
+  Annexure H: Affidavit for condonation of delay (if applicable).
+</code>
+===== Grounds the Commission listens to =====
+The strongest second-appeal grounds, drawn from the leading orders, are:
+  - **No speaking order at FAA stage.** The Supreme Court in //R.K. Jain v. Union of India// (2013) 14 SCC 794 held that statutory authorities exercising appellate functions must give reasoned orders.
+  - **Section 8(1) was claimed without applying the proportionality / public-interest override.** //Bhagat Singh v. CIC and Anr.// (Delhi HC, 2007) 146 DLT 385 - the public authority must show //why// disclosure is barred, not just cite the section.
+  - **Severance under Section 10 not attempted.** //CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay//, (2011) 8 SCC 497 - exempt portions must be redacted, non-exempt portions must be supplied.
+  - **PIO failed to forward the application to the right CPIO** under Section 6(3).
+  - **Section 7(5) BPL exemption ignored** - fee demanded from a BPL applicant.
+  - **Information is in fact already available proactively** under Section 4(1)(b) - the PIO must furnish or point to the URL.
+  - **DPDP 2025 Section 8(1)(j) over-claim** - the substituted Section 8(1)(j) (in force 14 November 2025 under Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act, 2023) does **not** convert every personal-information request into an exemption; the Section 4 / 8(2) public-interest tests still apply.
+===== Compensation and penalty prayer =====
+The Commission has consistently awarded **compensation under Section 19(8)(b)** in cases of //"detriment suffered"//, ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,00,000 in different orders. To win it:
+  * Quantify the detriment in your prayer - wasted speed-post fees, photocopying, time lost in pursuing the case, opportunity cost.
+  * Attach receipts / a tabular schedule.
+  * Cite //Sham Lal v. Land Acquisition Officer// (CIC, 2009) and //R.K. Jain v. UoI// for the principle.
+The **Section 20 penalty** is mandatory once the Commission finds malafide non-compliance. The wording of Section 20(1) - //"shall impose a penalty of two hundred and fifty rupees each day till application is received or information is furnished, so however that the total amount of such penalty shall not exceed twenty-five thousand rupees"// - is a statutory direction, not a discretion. Make the penalty prayer specific.
+===== Condonation of delay =====
+If you are filing beyond the 90-day window, attach a **sworn affidavit** explaining the delay, supported by documentary evidence (medical certificates, lockdown notifications, dispatch proof showing the FAA order arrived late). The proviso to Section 19(3) gives the Commission discretion; the Supreme Court in //Office of the Chief Information Commissioner v. P.S. Sundaresan// (2011) 8 SCC 1 explained that delay-condonation is governed by the //sufficient cause// standard.
+A simple format:
+<code>
+AFFIDAVIT FOR CONDONATION OF DELAY
+I, [name], aged [age], son / daughter of [parent], resident of
+[address], do solemnly affirm and state as under:
+. I am the appellant in the accompanying Second Appeal under
+ Section 19(3) of the RTI Act, 2005.
+. The 90-day period prescribed under Section 19(3) expired on
+ [date]. The present appeal is being filed on [date], a delay of
+ [N] days.
+. The cause for delay is [...] [sworn explanation, with documents].
+. I pray that the Hon'ble Commission may be pleased to condone the
+ delay under the proviso to Section 19(3) and admit the appeal on
+ merits.
+Place:               [Signature]
+Date:              [Name of deponent]
+VERIFICATION
+I verify that the contents of paragraphs 1 to 4 are true to my own
+knowledge and belief.
+                 [Signature of deponent]
+</code>
+===== Section 18 complaint or Section 19 second appeal? =====
+If your goal is to **get the information**, file the **Section 19(3) second appeal**.
+If your goal is to **punish misconduct** (no PIO appointed, refusal to accept, illegal fee, false information), file a **Section 18 complaint** in parallel.
+Both are independent under //CIC v. State of Manipur//, (2011) 15 SCC 1. See [[:guide:applicant:second-appeal:complaint|Section 18 complaint vs Section 19 appeal]] for the full decision tree.
+===== Frequently asked questions =====
+==== I missed the 90-day deadline. Can I still file? ====
+Yes - file with an **affidavit for condonation of delay** under the proviso to Section 19(3). The Commission's standard is //sufficient cause//, and routinely accepted reasons are medical illness, lockdown / pandemic disruption, postal delay in receiving the FAA order, or lawyer's misadvice. Attach all supporting documents.
+==== The FAA did not pass any order. From when do I count 90 days? ====
+From **Day 31** of your first appeal filing (or Day 46 if the FAA invoked the 15-day extension under Section 19(6)). This is the **deemed-FAA path**: the silence is treated as an adverse decision and the 90-day clock starts the day after the deadline expires.
+==== Is there any fee for filing the second appeal? ====
+There is **no fee** at the CIC under the Central rule. Most state SIC fee rules also follow zero, but a few prescribe a nominal fee - check your state's RTI Rules. There is also no fee for the photocopies that the Commission ultimately orders disclosed at Rs 2 per page (under Rule 4(a) of the Central RTI Fee Rules).
+==== Can I file the second appeal online? ====
+Yes - at [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]] for Central public authorities. Upload all enclosures as a single PDF, and post a hard copy by Speed Post (with AD) the same day. Most state SICs now also accept online filing; their portals are listed in the [[:state-rti-portals-directory|state RTI portals directory]].
+==== Can the Commission impose Section 20 penalty in a second appeal? ====
+Yes. Section 20(1) is engaged when the Commission, //while deciding any complaint or appeal//, finds malafide non-compliance. So a Section 19(3) appeal supports the same penalty order as a Section 18 complaint, plus the disclosure direction under Section 19(8). Make the penalty prayer specific in your Memorandum.
+==== Does the Commission decide my appeal in 90 days? ====
+There is **no statutory disposal limit** for second appeals - the original 45-day timeline in the Bill draft was dropped before enactment. Realistic disposal times in 2026 are 6 to 24 months at most Commissions; some SICs take longer. Track your matter on the Commission's cause-list portal.
+==== Can a representative file the second appeal on my behalf? ====
+Yes - through a **notarised power of attorney** or a vakalatnama (if filed by an advocate). The representative signs the Memorandum and verification clause; the appellant signs the affidavit-of-facts where one is filed.
+==== What if I want disclosure plus a fresh hearing of facts? ====
+Section 19(8) is broad - sub-clauses (a)(i) - (vi) include directing fresh inquiry, fresh determination of fee, and so on. Frame your prayer to ask not only for disclosure but for the fresh procedural step the FAA failed to take.
+===== Sources verified =====
+  - [[https://cic.gov.in|Right to Information Act, 2005]] - Sections 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20. DoPT.
+  - **RTI Rules, 2012** - Rule 8 (form of second appeal). DoPT.
+  - [[https://main.sci.gov.in|Supreme Court of India]] - //Chief Information Commissioner v. State of Manipur//, (2011) 15 SCC 1; //R.K. Jain v. Union of India//, (2013) 14 SCC 794; //CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay//, (2011) 8 SCC 497; //Office of the Chief Information Commissioner v. P.S. Sundaresan//, (2011) 8 SCC 1.
+  - [[https://www.indiacode.nic.in|India Code]] - //Bhagat Singh v. CIC and Anr.// (Delhi HC, 2007) 146 DLT 385.
+  - [[https://cic.gov.in|Central Information Commission]] - //Sham Lal v. LAO// (CIC, 2009); CIC Practice Directions on Appeals and Complaints.
+  - DoPT, //Guide on the RTI Act, 2005// (August 2013, updated).
+  - DPDP Act, 2023 - Section 44(3) substitution of Section 8(1)(j) RTI Act, in force 14 November 2025.
+===== Use the AI RTI Drafter =====
+Need a Memorandum of Second Appeal auto-drafted with your facts, the right grounds, the right prayer paragraphs, and (if you are over the 90-day window) a delay-condonation affidavit? The [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]] does it in under three minutes - free, no signup.
+===== Related =====
+  * [[guide|Guide hub - Right to Information for citizens]]
+  * [[:guide:applicant:second-appeal:cic|Second Appeal to CIC - full procedure]]
+  * [[:guide:applicant:second-appeal:complaint|Section 18 complaint vs Section 19 appeal]]
+  * [[:guide:applicant:first-appeal|First Appeal under Section 19(1)]]
+  * [[:guide:applicant:first-appeal:faa|First Appellate Authority - procedure deep-dive]]
+  * [[:guide:applicant:application:penalty-compensation-under-rti|Section 20 penalty and Section 19(8)(b) compensation]]
+  * [[:guide:applicant:application:who-can-ask-information-rti|Who can file RTI: citizen, NRI, OCI, company, NGO]]
+  * [[:state-rti-portals-directory|State RTI portals and SIC directory]]
+  * [[:rti-act-2005-complete-guide|Complete RTI Act 2005 guide]]
+//Last reviewed: 9 May 2026 - RTI Wiki editorial team.//
+===== Stuck scheme or document? Check the status first =====
+Many RTIs are filed because a government scheme or document is delayed. Before filing, check the status directly:
+  * [[:check-status/pmay-status|PMAY beneficiary status]]
+  * [[:mgnrega-job-card-status-2026|NREGA / MGNREGA job card and payment status]]
+  * [[:check-status/ration-card-status|Ration card status]]
+  * [[:pm-kisan-status-check-2026|PM-KISAN Rs 6,000 status]]
+  * [[:eshram-card-status-check-2026|e-Shram card status]]
+If a status is stuck beyond the official timeline, use the [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]] to file in minutes.
+{{tag>rti guide applicant second-appeal section-19 cic sic information-commission 2026}}
-<fs large>There is no time limit for disposal of seconds appeal. The first draft of this bill had a provision of forty-five days for disposal of second appeals by the Information Commissions, which was removed in the final draft. If Commissions do not deliver within a reasonable time of about 60 to 90 days, the law will lose its importance.</fs>
-====== What will you get from CIC ======
-{{ :guide:applicant:second_appeal_under_rti_decision_of_cic.png |}}
-<fs large>The decisions of the Commissions are not merely recommendatory but have to be followed as per law and have statutory force.</fs>
-<fs large>The Commission may reject the application if it comes to the conclusion that the information sought is not information or the body is not a public authority or the information is covered by the exemptions of Section 8 (1), and there is no larger public interest. It may also reject an appeal if it finds that the information has been provided by the PIO within the specified time.</fs>
-====== Read now ======
-{{indexmenu>:guide:applicant:second-appeal#3}}
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