What information can RTI get you?

If you are short on time: use the AI RTI Drafter and describe the record you want in one sentence.

Many first-time applicants ask, “Why was my work delayed?” or “Why did the officer reject my request?” RTI usually works better when you ask for the file that contains the answer.

Instead of asking “Why is my pension pending?”, ask for the pension file movement, noting sheet, deficiency memo, pending officer name, and copies of orders passed on your application.

That small change makes your RTI harder to reject. It also gives you evidence for a grievance, first appeal, consumer complaint, service tribunal, or court case.

Under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, “information” includes records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, log books, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models and electronic data held by a public authority.

This means you can ask for:

• certified copies of orders, notices and letters
• file notings and noting sheets
• file movement history
• inspection reports
• enquiry reports
• bills, vouchers and utilisation certificates
• tender documents and work orders
• attendance registers and duty rosters
• beneficiary lists for public schemes
• rules, circulars and office memoranda
• reasons already recorded in the file

If your work is pending, do not only ask for “status”. Ask for the records behind the status.

Good RTI wording:

Please provide certified copies of:
1. The complete file movement sheet for my application dated [date].
2. All noting sheets, deficiency memos and orders recorded on the file.
3. The name and designation of each officer with whom the file remained pending.
4. The rule or circular prescribing the normal time limit for disposal.

Use this format for pension, mutation, ration card, passport, scholarship, municipal licence, FIR copy, building plan, refund, subsidy and other public-service delays.

RTI is useful when public money has been spent or promised.

You can ask for:

• sanctioned amount and release order
• contractor name and work order
• measurement book entries
• completion certificate
• photographs submitted by the contractor
• bills, vouchers and payment dates
• utilisation certificate
• audit objection or inspection report

For public works, ask for the tender, work order, measurement book and payment vouchers together. These records show what was promised, what was measured, and what was paid.

If an office rejects your application, cancels a benefit, delays a service, or demands extra documents, ask for the rule.

Good RTI wording:

Please provide a certified copy of the rule, circular, notification or office order under which the above requirement was imposed.

If the office cannot show a rule, that helps you in appeal or grievance proceedings.

If a file is large, ask for inspection first. Section 2(j) includes the right to inspect records and take notes or extracts.

Good wording:

Please allow inspection of the complete file relating to [subject] and permit me to identify pages for certified copies.

Inspection is useful for building permissions, tender files, school records, municipal works, land records and long-running complaints.

RTI is powerful, but it is not a magic question-answer service.

RTI usually cannot compel an officer to:

• create a new explanation that is not already on record
• give personal opinions
• answer hypothetical questions
• solve your grievance directly
• interpret law for you
• disclose exempt information under Section 8 without a public-interest case
• give private information unrelated to public activity

If you need action, use RTI to collect the records, then file the correct appeal, grievance or complaint.

Ask for the file notings, file movement and pending officer details. If the reason is recorded, you will get it. If no reason is recorded, that fact itself helps your grievance.

Yes, file notings are generally information under Section 2(f), subject to valid exemptions such as Section 8.

Sometimes. Records about public duty, public money or public action may be disclosable. Purely personal information can be refused under Section 8(1)(j) unless larger public interest is shown.

No. RTI gives records. Use those records in a first appeal, grievance, consumer complaint, departmental complaint, or court case.

Ask for inspection and identify the pages you need. Also narrow your date range, office and subject.

• Write the public authority that probably holds the record.
• Convert every “why” question into a request for a document.
• Add a date range, file number, application number or subject.
• Use the AI RTI Drafter to make a clean draft.
• Save your proof of filing. You will need it for first appeal.

• How to file an RTI in India
• Section 6 — how to make an RTI request
• Section 7 — reply timelines
• Section 8 — exemptions
• State RTI portals directory
• First Appeal Builder

• Right to Information Act, 2005, Sections 2(f), 2(j), 6, 7 and 8 — India Code
• Central RTI online portal — rtionline.gov.in

Last reviewed: 17 May 2026 — RTI Wiki editorial team.