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Recent Changes

Q: Does the PIO have to cite a specific clause?

Yes. CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay (SC 2011) holds that any refusal must identify the specific sub-clause of Section 8. Generic invocation is insufficient.

Q: Does DPDP Act 2023 make all personal information exempt?

No. While the amendment deleted the public-interest proviso from Section 8(1)(j), the amendment itself is under Supreme Court reference. Section 8(2) public-interest override continues to apply. Girish Deshpande three-part test continues to be applied by most Information Commissions.

Q: Can the PIO refuse a whole file if only part is exempt?

No. Section 10 mandates severability — redact the exempt part, release the rest. Whole-file refusal is an appealable error.

Q: What is the strongest counter to every Section 8 refusal?

Three-part formula: Section 19(5) places burden on PIO to prove exemption; Section 10 mandates severability; Section 8(2) public-interest override applies. No PIO refusal survives all three honestly applied.

Q: Can RTI be denied citing no public interest?

No. Section 3 establishes presumption in favour of disclosure. PIO does not have to find public interest to disclose — they have to find harm to protected interest to refuse. Direction is the opposite.

The following pages were changed recently:

View changes of

2026/04/22 03:35 Forum Policy — DPDP & IT Rules Compliance – [1. Who we are and what the forum is] Shrawan +1 B
2026/04/21 16:25 Why trust this course – [The instructor] Shrawan +1 B
2026/04/20 08:30 Right to Information Act, 2005 — India's Working Reference – [RTI Wiki — The working reference for the Right to Information Act, 2005] Shrawan ±0 B
2026/04/20 01:31 Delhi High Court PhD Theses Ruling: A Landmark RTI Decision on Academic Transparency vs Privacy (2024) – Shrawan -4 B
2026/04/19 09:55 What Indians file RTI applications about — the subjects filed, satisfied, and appealed – Shrawan ±0 B
2026/04/19 09:38 The Right to Information Act, 2005 — a decade of change, 2015 to 2025 – Shrawan ±0 B
2026/04/19 03:33 Right to Information at twenty: the Information Commissions' report card for 2024-25 – created Shrawan +8.2 KB
2026/04/19 03:32 Raj Kumar Goyal sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner; CIC reaches full strength – created Shrawan +7.8 KB
2026/04/19 03:31 DPDP Rules, 2025: The amendment to Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act – created Shrawan +10.4 KB
2025/03/04 03:34 RTI Act vs Privacy: How the 2023 Amendment Redefined Personal Information and Sparked a Transparency Crisis – Shrawan +77 B
2026/04/22 22:54 blog:4_transparency-and-governance-broader-impacts.png – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 ±0 B
2026/04/22 22:54 blog:5_stakeholder-concerns-and-future-directions.png – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 ±0 B
2026/04/22 22:54 blog:3_information-officers-and-rti-applicants.png – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 ±0 B
2026/04/22 22:54 blog:2_section-81j-a-legislative-amendment.png – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 ±0 B
2025/03/04 03:34 blog:1_rti-vs-privacy-indias-critical-transparency-dilemma.png – created Shrawan +613.3 KB
2025/03/04 02:57 The Current State of Right to Information in India: Challenges, Judicial Interpretations, and Future Direction – Shrawan +39 B
2025/03/04 02:57 blog:rtiwiki-analysis.png – created Shrawan +527.4 KB
2025/03/04 02:51 The Impact of Delhi High Court's Ruling on %%PhD%% Theses Under RTI Act: Balancing Academic Freedom and Research Transparency in India – Shrawan -25 B
2025/03/02 13:03 blog:delhi-hc-ruling-phd-theses-and-rti_1_.pdf – created Shrawan +1.1 MB
2025/03/02 12:56 blog:8_conclusion-a-step-towards-open-science.png – created Shrawan +881.5 KB
2025/03/02 12:56 blog:7_challenges-and-considerations.png – created Shrawan +129.5 KB
2026/04/22 22:54 blog:4_courts-reasoning.png – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 ±0 B
2025/03/02 12:56 blog:6_impact-on-research-ecosystem.png – created Shrawan +963.4 KB
2025/03/02 12:56 blog:5_implications-for-academic-freedom.png – created Shrawan +1.6 MB
2025/03/02 12:56 blog:1_delhi-hc-ruling-phd-theses-and-rti.png – created Shrawan +769.3 KB
2025/03/02 12:56 blog:3_key-issues-addressed.png – created Shrawan +687 KB
2025/03/02 12:56 blog:2_background-of-the-case.png – created Shrawan +104.1 KB
2025/03/02 12:35 blog:the_current_state_of_right_to_information_in_india_1_.pdf – created Shrawan +304.1 KB
2025/03/02 12:27 RTI Act, 2005 (Amended 14 Nov 2025): Full Text – [Section 16: Term of office and conditions of service] Shrawan -758 B
2025/03/02 12:23 rti_act_2005_amended_-english_version.pdf – created Shrawan +1 MB
2025/03/02 12:22 rti_act_2005_amended_-english_version.docx – created Shrawan +93.3 KB
2023/04/16 03:29 Sending whatsapp Notice is valid in Court – Shrawan -775 B
2023/04/16 03:28 CIC does not allow disclosure of the dissent note of Ashok Lavasa over complaint received against Prime Minister during Lok Sabha elections 2019 – Shrawan -1.2 KB
2023/04/15 11:57 RTI can’t be Denied on the Ground that Information sought is Irrelevant – Shrawan -388 B
2023/04/15 11:56 Girish Deshpande: What is Personal Under RTI? – Shrawan -1.1 KB
2023/04/15 11:55 Supreme Court- ICAI Vs Shaunak H.Satya – Shrawan -2.7 KB
2023/04/15 11:54 Supreme Court- Thalappalam Coop. Vs State of Kerala – Shrawan -2.3 KB
2023/04/15 11:53 Power of Review by CIC – Shrawan -393 B
2023/04/15 11:51 Important Decisions – Shrawan -389 B
2023/04/15 11:50 RTI Cell – Shrawan -776 B
2023/04/15 11:49 How to File First Appeal under RTI – Shrawan +38 B
2023/04/15 11:49 Fundamental Facts about RTI – Shrawan -382 B
2023/04/15 11:48 How to file a Complaint to CIC – Shrawan -3.4 KB
2023/04/15 11:47 How to file a Second Appeal under RTI — a practical guide for 2026 – Shrawan -2.7 KB
2023/04/15 11:44 Where You cannot get Information – Shrawan -775 B
2023/04/15 11:44 What are the Penalty and Compensation – Shrawan -1.2 KB
2023/04/15 11:42 When to supply information free of Cost? – Shrawan -393 B
2023/04/15 11:40 How to Fill an RTI Application Form — The 2026 Practitioner's Guide – Shrawan -393 B
2023/04/15 11:39 How to locate Public Information Officer under RTI – Shrawan -775 B
2026/04/22 22:54 How to use your Right to Information – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 -136 B
2023/04/15 11:38 Guidelines for First Appellate Authority (FAA) under the RTI Act, 2005 – Shrawan -2.3 KB
2023/04/15 11:37 Guidelines for Public Information Officer – Shrawan -3.8 KB
2023/04/15 11:36 Inspection of Records under RTI: Your Rights, the PIO's Playbook, and How to Win – Shrawan -1.5 KB
2023/04/15 11:11 Who can ask for information under Right to Information? – Shrawan -393 B
2023/04/15 11:10 Vicarious Liability under RTI — Who Actually Pays – Shrawan -379 B
2023/04/15 11:09 Transfer of Application to other PIO – Shrawan -786 B
2023/04/15 11:08 Third-party information under RTI — Section 11 procedure, 2026 – Shrawan -1.5 KB
2023/04/15 11:07 Suo Motu Disclosure under Section 4 — The Proactive Duty – Shrawan -1.5 KB
2023/04/15 11:06 "Substantially Financed" under RTI — The Section 2(h) Test – Shrawan -1.5 KB
2023/04/15 11:05 Severability – Shrawan -1.1 KB
2023/04/15 11:04 Refund of Fees – Shrawan -379 B
2023/04/15 11:04 What is Public Interest under the RTI Act — updated April 2026 – Shrawan -786 B
2023/04/15 11:03 Public Authority – Shrawan -2.7 KB
2023/04/15 10:59 Prescribed – Shrawan -1.1 KB
2023/04/15 10:58 Missing Files under RTI Act – Shrawan -1.1 KB
2023/04/15 10:58 Justification for Denial is Mandatory — Speaking Order Requirement – Shrawan -786 B
2023/04/15 10:57 Investigation/Inquiry reports under RTI – Shrawan -393 B
2023/04/15 10:57 What is Information under RTI Act – Shrawan -2.3 KB
2023/04/15 10:56 RTI Grounds for Rejection — The 10 Valid Refusals Under Section 8(1) (2026) – Shrawan -5.3 KB
2023/04/15 10:54 File Notings under RTI — What They Are and How to Get Them – Shrawan -393 B
2023/04/15 10:54 What is Fiduciary Relationship – Shrawan -1.5 KB
2023/04/15 10:53 Disproportionate Diversion of Resources – Shrawan -1.9 KB
2023/04/15 10:52 Deemed CPIO — Section 5(5) Explained – Shrawan -772 B
2023/04/15 10:51 Composite Petition under RTI Act – Shrawan -1.5 KB
2023/04/15 10:51 Competent Authority under RTI — Section 2(e) – Shrawan -775 B
2023/04/15 10:50 Citizenship under RTI Act 2005 – Shrawan -3.1 KB
2023/04/15 10:48 Annual Confidential Report – Shrawan -786 B
2023/04/15 10:46 RTI Wiki – Shrawan -726 B
2023/04/15 10:44 RTI Application for EPF transfer Status – Shrawan -36 B
2023/04/15 10:43 Sample RTI applications – Shrawan -758 B
2023/04/15 10:42 RTI Forms – Shrawan -764 B
2023/04/15 10:42 Guide for applicants – Shrawan -764 B
2023/04/15 10:41 What is Right to Information – Shrawan -1.5 KB
2023/04/15 10:40 Guides — Right to Information Act, 2005 – Shrawan -1.1 KB
2023/04/15 10:34 Common Terms – Shrawan -382 B
2020/07/19 11:02 important-decisions:court:4228_2015_5_1501_21164_judgement_04-mar-2020.pdf – created Shrawan +149.8 KB
2020/07/12 16:20 explanations:delhi_high_court_judgment.pdf – created Shrawan +362.9 KB
2020/07/12 16:19 explanations:composite_petitions_cic_ky_c_2015_000152_m_180880.pdf – created Shrawan +216.5 KB
2020/07/12 11:59 explanations:composite_petitions_cic_ky_c_2015_000208_m_180890.pdf – Shrawan ±0 B
2020/07/12 11:59 explanations:composite_petitions_cic_ky_c_2015_000183_m_180896.pdf – Shrawan ±0 B
2020/07/12 11:58 explanations:composite_petitions_cic_ky_a_2015_001099_m_180064.pdf – Shrawan ±0 B
2020/07/12 11:58 explanations:composite_petition_cic_ky_a_2015_000175_m_155699.pdf – Shrawan ±0 B
2020/07/12 11:57 explanations:composite_petition_000542___543___544___545.pdf – created Shrawan +113 KB
2020/07/12 11:52 explanations:composite-application.png – created Shrawan +1004.8 KB
2020/07/07 15:09 wiki:logo.png – created Shrawan +4.1 KB
2020/07/07 15:08 wiki:wiki.png – removed Shrawan -52.3 KB
2020/04/21 12:56 blog:cic-ashok-lavasa.pdf – created Shrawan +220.1 KB
2026/04/22 22:54 blog:cic-ecomm-a-2019-150996-bj.pdf – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 ±0 B
2020/02/14 03:56 important-decisions:court:information_cannot_be_denied.png – created Shrawan +16.5 KB
2020/01/04 14:47 important-decisions:pdf_upload-367812.pdf – created Shrawan +158.5 KB

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