Author: Meena Khan

The Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) is one of the most powerful laws in India. It gives every Indian citizen the legal right to ask for information from the government. The main aim of this law is to make the working of the government open, transparent, and accountable to the people.

Through RTI, citizens can ask questions, inspect government work, and know how public money is being spent. It is a strong tool to fight corruption and improve public service delivery.

Many people think that filing an RTI is difficult, but if you understand the rules and follow a few easy steps, the process becomes simple. This article explains the background, purpose, key terms, authorities, and the full step-by-step process to file an RTI application in India.

Background and Purpose of the RTI Act

Before 2005, citizens had very limited access to government information. Most decisions and records were kept secret. People could not easily find out how projects were approved, how funds were used, or why certain policies were made.

In the 1990s, several movements, such as the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Rajasthan, demanded that the government be more open and transparent. Their struggle showed that people have a right to know how public money is spent.

The government first passed the Freedom of Information Act, 2002, but it did not work effectively. Therefore, the Right to Information Act, 2005 was introduced to give citizens a strong legal right to access information. The law came into force on 12 October 2005.

The RTI Act helps citizens to:

1. Know how the government works.
2. Hold officials accountable for their actions.
3. Expose corruption and misuse of power.
4. Promote transparency and good governance.
5. Empower people to make informed decisions.

Scope of the RTI Act

The RTI Act applies to all Central and State Government departments, local bodies like municipalities and panchayats, public sector companies, and even non-government organizations (NGOs) that are largely funded by the government.

This means that if an organization uses public money, citizens have the right to know how that money is used.

Important Terms under the RTI Act

To use the RTI Act correctly, it’s important to know a few key terms:

• Public Authority: Any government office, department, or body created by law or mainly funded by the government.
• Public Information Officer (PIO): The officer in each department who receives and answers RTI applications.
• Assistant Public Information Officer (APIO): An officer who helps people file RTI applications, especially in smaller towns or districts.
• First Appellate Authority (FAA): A senior officer who looks into appeals if a PIO doesn’t reply or gives an unsatisfactory response.
• Information: Any record, file, document, report, circular, order, or data in any form—paper or electronic.

Who Can File an RTI Application

Every Indian citizen can file an RTI application. You do not need to give a reason for asking for information.

You only need to write your name, address, and contact details so the department can send you a reply.

Even Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) with Indian citizenship can use the RTI Act. However, foreign nationals and foreign organizations cannot.

Authorities under the RTI Act

To make the system work smoothly, the Act sets up the following authorities:

1. Public Information Officers (PIOs): Receive and process RTI requests.
2. First Appellate Authorities (FAAs): Handle appeals against the PIO’s reply.
3. Central Information Commission (CIC): Handles matters related to central government departments.
4. State Information Commissions (SICs): Handle matters related to state government departments.

These authorities ensure that every department follows the RTI rules properly.

Step-by-Step Process to File an RTI Application

Step 1: Identify the Correct Department

First, find out which government department has the information you need.
For example:

• For income tax refunds → Income Tax Department
• For road construction → Public Works Department (PWD)
• For school or college issues → Education Department

If you send your application to the wrong department, it may delay the process.

Step 2: Find the Public Information Officer (PIO)

Every government department has a PIO. You can find their name, address, and contact details on the department’s official website or the RTI Online Portal at https://rtionline.gov.in.

Step 3: Write the RTI Application

You can write your RTI application in English, Hindi, or the official language of the state. Keep it short and clear.

Your application should include:

• Your full name, address, and contact number.
• Details of the information you want.
• The name of the department or authority.
• A statement that you are an Indian citizen.

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

You have to pay a small fee of ₹10 with your application. You can pay through:

• Online payment on the RTI website,
• Indian Postal Order (IPO), or
• Demand Draft or Banker’s Cheque.

People below the poverty line (BPL) do not have to pay the fee, but they must attach a copy of their BPL card as proof.

Step 5: Submit the Application

You can submit your application in two ways:

1. Online: Visit https://rtionline.gov.in (for Central Government departments).
2. Offline: Send it by post or submit it personally to the PIO of the concerned department.

Keep a photocopy of your application and fee receipt for reference.

Step 6: Wait for the Reply

Under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, the PIO must reply within 30 days from the date of receiving your application.

If the matter involves the life or liberty of a person, the information must be provided within 48 hours.

If no reply is received within 30 days, it is treated as a refusal, and you can file an appeal.

Step 7: File an Appeal (if needed)

If the PIO does not reply, delays the response, or gives incomplete information, you can file an appeal.

• The First Appeal must be filed to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) within 30 days of receiving the reply (or after 30 days if no reply).
• If you are still not satisfied, you can file a Second Appeal to the Central or State Information Commission within 90 days.

Information That Cannot Be Disclosed (Exemptions)

Certain types of information cannot be shared under Section 8(1) of the Act, such as:

1. Information that may harm India’s security or international relations.
2. Information forbidden by court orders.
3. Trade secrets or commercial details of companies.
4. Information given in confidence or trust (for example, medical or personal records).
5. Cabinet papers or internal discussions before a decision is made.
6. Information that could endanger someone’s life or safety.
7. Information that may affect an investigation or prosecution.

However, if the information is important for public interest, it can still be disclosed under Section 8(2).

Penalties for Non-Compliance

If the PIO fails to respond without a good reason, gives wrong information, or delays the reply, he or she can be punished.

Under Section 20 of the RTI Act:

• A fine of ₹250 per day can be imposed, up to a maximum of ₹25,000.
• The Information Commission can also order disciplinary action against the officer.

These penalties make sure that government officers take RTI applications seriously.

Tips for Writing a Good RTI Application

1. Be clear and specific about what you want to know.
2. Ask for records, reports, or documents, not explanations.
3. Use simple language and avoid long paragraphs.
4. File separate RTIs for different topics.
5. Always keep copies and receipts for future use.
6. Prefer the online RTI portal for easy tracking.
7. Be polite and factual — it increases your chances of getting a proper reply.

Importance and Impact of the RTI Act

Since its introduction, the RTI Act has changed how the government works. It has helped expose many cases of corruption and inefficiency. Ordinary people have used RTI to:

• Get delayed pensions, ration cards, and scholarships.
• Expose misuse of funds in village development schemes.
• Check irregularities in public exams, recruitments, and government tenders.

Courts have also supported this right. In State of Uttar Pradesh v. Raj Narain (1975), the Supreme Court said that citizens have a right to know how the government works. Later, the Court declared that the Right to Information is part of the Fundamental Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

Problems in Implementation

Even though the RTI Act is very powerful, there are still some problems:

• Many PIOs delay or deny information.
• Some citizens are unaware of their rights under RTI.
• RTI activists sometimes face threats or violence for exposing corruption.
• Appeals take time because Information Commissions are overburdened.
• Some officials misuse exemptions to hide information.

To fix these issues, the government should:

• Train officers properly.
• Digitize records for quick access.
• Protect whistleblowers and RTI users.
• Increase awareness about the Act through schools and campaigns.

Conclusion

By using RTI, citizens can make sure that public money is spent honestly and that officials do their jobs properly. It helps reduce corruption, increases trust in the system, and strengthens democracy.

The Right to Information Act, 2005 is one of the strongest tools available to Indian citizens. It makes the government more transparent, responsible, and answerable to the people.

Even though challenges remain, RTI has given ordinary people the power to question those in authority. It proves that real democracy begins when citizens start asking questions.

The Act stands as a reminder that information is power, and sharing it makes governance fair, transparent, and truly for the people.