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+{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(RTI applicant guide,how to file RTI India,citizen RTI guide,Section 6 RTI,Section 19 appeal,RTI fee,RTI timelines,Section 20 penalty,RTI 2026 citizen)
+metatag-description=(Complete RTI applicant guide 2026: who can file, what to ask, drafting, fee, 30-day timeline, first and second appeal, Section 18 complaint, Section 20 penalty, top 10 mistakes.)}}
+====== Guide for RTI Applicants: File, Track, Appeal and Get Information ======
+<WRAP center round tip 100%>
+**Direct answer.** Any citizen of India can file an RTI under **Section 6(1)** by writing one page to the Public Information Officer of the public authority that holds the record. Pay Rs 10 (Rs 0 if BPL). The PIO must reply in **30 days** (48 hours for life or liberty). If the reply is silent, refused, or wrong, file a **first appeal** under **Section 19(1)** within 30 days, then a **second appeal** to the Information Commission within 90 days. You do not have to give a reason - Section 6(2) bars the PIO from asking. Need a draft now? Try the [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]].
+</WRAP>
+{{:icons:citizen.svg?32&nolink|RTI applicant icon}}
+===== When to use this guide =====
+Use this page if you are about to file your first RTI, or you have filed one and the reply is unsatisfactory. It covers the full path from drafting the first application to receiving the Information Commission's order. For role-specific pages, see the [[guide|guide hub]].
+===== Who can file an RTI application =====
+Section 3 confers the right on every citizen of India. The Act does not require an applicant to:
+  * Show a reason for asking (Section 6(2) bars the PIO from asking).
+  * Produce Aadhaar, PAN, or any other identification beyond a name and an address for reply.
+  * Be 18 or above. Minors may file through a parent or guardian.
+  * Reside in the State whose public authority holds the record. A resident of Tamil Nadu can file with the Government of Punjab.
+A company, society, trust, foreign national, or NRI **cannot** file in its own name. The standard workaround is to file through a citizen-shareholder or citizen-employee in their personal capacity. See [[guide:applicant:application:who-can-ask-information-rti|Who can ask information under RTI]] for the full position.
+===== What information you can ask for =====
+Section 2(f) defines "information" as any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, emails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, log books, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, and data held in an electronic form. Section 2(j) extends the right to inspection, taking notes, taking certified copies, and taking samples.
+The right is to **existing information**. The Supreme Court in [[:important-decisions:cbse-and-anr-vs-aditya-bandopadhyay|CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011) 8 SCC 497]] held that the PIO is not required to:
+  * Create a new record that does not exist.
+  * Answer a hypothetical or opinion question.
+  * Compile data not already compiled in the form asked for.
+The right does not extend to private bodies that are not "substantially financed" by the government - see [[:explanations:public-authority|public authority test]].
+===== Drafting a first application =====
+A sound first application has nine parts. We have a [[guide:applicant:application:how-fill-rti-application-form|line-by-line walkthrough]], but the skeleton is:
+  - **PIO address block.** Name and office address. If the name is unknown, write to "The Public Information Officer". See [[guide:applicant:application:how-to-locate-public-information-officer|how to find the PIO]].
+  - **Subject line.** One line naming what you want.
+  - **Information sought.** A numbered list of specific records or classes of records. Each item must be record-shaped, not a question of opinion.
+  - **Period.** The date range.
+  - **Citizenship declaration.** "I am a citizen of India."
+  - **Fee details.** Rs 10 IPO, court-fee stamp, online challan, or BPL exemption.
+  - **Applicant name and address.** With phone and email for follow-up.
+  - **Date and place.**
+  - **Signature.**
+==== Bad query vs good query ====
+| **Bad (will be rejected)** | **Good (record-shaped)** |
+| Why was my pension delayed? | Provide a copy of the file noting and the order on my pension file no. ABC/123 from 1 April 2025 to date. |
+| Is the road work in my colony genuine? | Provide a copy of the work order, the measurement book, and the bill register for road work no. PWD/2025/45. |
+| List all corrupt officers. | Provide a copy of every disciplinary order issued under CCS (CCA) Rules in calendar year 2025. |
+Need a draft right now? Use the [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]. Free.
+===== Fee =====
+  * **Central Government.** Rs 10 application fee under the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Pay by Indian Postal Order, Demand Draft, banker's cheque, court-fee stamp, or online challan on rtionline.gov.in.
+  * **State Government.** Rs 10 to Rs 50 depending on State Rules. See the [[:rules:start|State Rules library]].
+  * **Photocopies.** Rs 2 per A4 page at the Centre. State fees vary.
+  * **Inspection of records.** Free for the first hour, then Rs 5 every 15 minutes (Centre).
+  * **BPL exemption.** Section 7(5) makes the application and copy fee zero for an applicant holding a valid BPL card.
+  * **Free reply.** If the PIO misses the 30-day deadline, Section 7(6) makes the information free of cost. See [[guide:applicant:application:information-free-of-cost|when information must be supplied free of cost]].
+===== Timelines you must know =====
+| **Stage** | **Limit** | **Section** |
+| PIO reply, ordinary case | 30 days | 7(1) |
+| PIO reply, life or liberty | 48 hours | 7(1) proviso |
+| Section 6(3) transfer to correct PA | 5 days | 6(3) |
+| APIO route (extra time) | +5 days | 5(2) |
+| Third-party hearing case | 40 days | 11(3) |
+| First appeal to FAA | 30 days from PIO reply | 19(1) |
+| FAA decision | 30 days, extendable to 45 | 19(6) |
+| Second appeal to IC | 90 days from FAA order | 19(3) |
+| IC penalty enquiry | No fixed limit | 20 |
+The full table with worked examples is at [[guide:applicant:time-limit-under-rti|RTI time limits]].
+===== First appeal =====
+Filed under Section 19(1) within 30 days of the PIO's reply or deemed refusal. Goes to the **First Appellate Authority** - an officer senior in rank to the PIO, named in the public authority's Section 4 disclosure. No fee at the Centre. State fees vary. The FAA must decide in 30 days, extendable to 45 days for recorded reasons.
+The full filing guide with template is at [[guide:applicant:first-appeal|First appeal under Section 19(1)]].
+===== Second appeal =====
+Filed under Section 19(3) within 90 days of the FAA order or deemed refusal. Goes to the **Central Information Commission** ([[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]]) for Central public authorities, or the relevant **State Information Commission** for State authorities. Format prescribed by Commission rules.
+The full filing guide is at [[guide:applicant:second-appeal:start|Second appeal to the Information Commission]].
+===== Complaint under Section 18 =====
+Different from a second appeal. A **complaint** to the Commission under Section 18 challenges the conduct of the PIO - refused to accept your application, demanded a reason, gave misleading information, destroyed the record, or charged an unreasonable fee. A second appeal challenges the **decision**. You can file both. See [[guide:applicant:second-appeal:complaint|complaint under Section 18]].
+===== Penalty and compensation =====
+Under **Section 20(1)**, the Information Commission can impose a penalty of **Rs 250 per day of delay, capped at Rs 25,000**, on the PIO who without reasonable cause refused, delayed, gave wrong information, or destroyed records. Only the Commission imposes this penalty - the FAA cannot.
+Under **Section 19(8)(b)**, any Commission (and the FAA in its appeal jurisdiction) can order **compensation** to the applicant for the loss or detriment suffered.
+Full procedure, prayer wording, and the difference between the two: [[guide:applicant:application:penalty-compensation-under-rti|Penalty and compensation under RTI]].
+===== Top 10 mistakes that get RTIs rejected =====
+  - **Asking "why" or "is it true that"** instead of asking for a record. Rephrase as a request for a document.
+  - **Filing with the wrong public authority.** The PIO must transfer in 5 days but often does not. See [[guide:applicant:application:how-to-locate-public-information-officer|find the PIO]].
+  - **Not paying the right fee.** Rs 10 IPO not stapled, court-fee stamp not affixed, online challan not generated. The PIO can return the application as defective.
+  - **Forgetting the citizenship declaration.** A line saying "I am a citizen of India" is part of the standard format; without it, some PIOs refuse.
+  - **Asking about something covered by Section 8.** File-noting on national security, cabinet papers, personal information after the DPDP commencement of 14 November 2025.
+  - **Missing the appeal deadline.** 30 days for FAA, 90 days for the Commission. Late appeals are dismissed without a hearing.
+  - **No address for reply.** A PO Box without a deliverable address gets the application rejected.
+  - **Vague period.** "All records since the start" is too wide. Use a date range.
+  - **Mixing multiple subjects.** Some State Rules require one subject per application. Split into separate applications.
+  - **Ignoring the third-party notice.** If your RTI affects a third party, the PIO must hear them under Section 11. Pre-empt by stating in the application that there is no third party, if true.
+===== Related citizen pages =====
+  * [[guide:applicant:application|How to file an RTI under Section 6]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:application:how-fill-rti-application-form|Fill the form, line by line]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:application:how-to-locate-public-information-officer|Find the right PIO]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:application:information-free-of-cost|When the reply is free]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:application:penalty-compensation-under-rti|Penalty + compensation]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:application:procedure-for-inspection-under-rti|Inspection of records]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:application:who-can-ask-information-rti|Who can ask information]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:application:where-you-cannot-apply-rti|Where you cannot apply RTI]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:application:sample:start|Sample RTIs by subject (30+)]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:first-appeal|First appeal: Section 19(1)]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:second-appeal:start|Second appeal: Section 19(3)]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:second-appeal:complaint|Complaint: Section 18]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:fundamental-facts-about-rti|Fundamental RTI facts]]
+  * [[guide:applicant:time-limit-under-rti|RTI time limits]]
+===== Frequently asked questions =====
+==== Do I have to give a reason for the RTI? ====
+No. Section 6(2) expressly bars the PIO from asking why you want the information. If a PIO insists, file a complaint to the Commission under Section 18.
+==== Can I file an RTI on a State subject from another State? ====
+Yes. Citizenship is the only test. A resident of Mumbai can file with the Punjab government and a resident of Chennai can file with a Delhi public authority.
+==== What happens if the PIO is silent past 30 days? ====
+Section 7(2) treats the silence as a "deemed refusal". You can file the first appeal on day 31 without waiting any longer. The information itself becomes free under Section 7(6).
+==== Can I file an RTI in Hindi or my regional language? ====
+Yes. Section 6(1) allows the application in English, Hindi, or the official language of the area where the application is being made. The PIO cannot reject for language.
+==== Do I need a lawyer? ====
+No. The Act is designed for citizen self-filing. The PIO, FAA, and the Commission cannot bar an applicant from appearing in person. A lawyer is allowed but not required at any stage.
+==== Can I file multiple RTIs on the same subject? ====
+Yes, and there is no rule against it. Some Commissions have observed that "frivolous and vexatious" applications can be ignored, but a citizen genuinely chasing different aspects of one record is on safe ground.
+==== Where can I draft the RTI right now? ====
+Use the [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]. Free, no login.
+==== What is the AI RTI Drafter? ====
+A free tool on this site. Describe your problem in plain language. The tool produces a Section 6(1) application with your name and address pre-filled, plus a draft first appeal and second appeal if needed.
+==== Can I file an RTI by email? ====
+Centre yes - through [[https://rtionline.gov.in|rtionline.gov.in]]. State usually no - most State Rules still require physical filing. Check your State Rules.
+==== What is the most-quoted Supreme Court case on RTI? ====
+[[:important-decisions:cbse-and-anr-vs-aditya-bandopadhyay|CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011) 8 SCC 497]] is the most-cited. It clarifies that RTI is for existing records, not fishing expeditions or opinion questions.
+===== Sources verified =====
+  - [[https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/1362|The Right to Information Act, 2005]] - India Code, official text.
+  - [[https://rtionline.gov.in|rtionline.gov.in]] - Central RTI portal, DoPT.
+  - [[https://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/RTI-Master-Circular.pdf|DoPT Master Circular on RTI]].
+  - CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay, (2011) 8 SCC 497 - Supreme Court of India.
+  - [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]] - Central Information Commission.
+//Last reviewed: 9 May 2026.//
+{{tag>rti guide applicant section-6 section-7 section-19 section-20 citizen 2026}}