To see the format of an application, download our standard form from the links on the left.
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The more you already know about the functioning of the government in general or the concerned public authority in particular, the more effective your questions will be. So try to get the application vetted by someone who is from within the system.

1. Write your queries in the form of a numbered list so that the PIO can provide information in the same sequence. This numbering should be ideally maintained at all levels including first appeal, second appeal, complaints, etc.

2. You may write as many paras or sub-paras as you want in a single application. There is no limit to the amount of information you may seek in a single application. The initial fee payable will remain the same.

3. Each point/para should deal with just one piece of information or work or record. You may write sub-paras or sub-points.

4. Be firm but polite. Do not take out your anger in the RTI application. Focus on the need for information and ask for it in a courteous manner.

1. Be specific about the information you need, or the work and records that you want to inspect, or the certified samples of materials that you want to collect.

2. Don't be overzealous and add queries which may confuse the PIO and will not be of any use to you.

3. If you know the sections of RTI act or decisions of CIC/SIC which are in favour of your query, do mention the same at the end of respective queries. For example... (refer to CIC decision No......................... dated...................)

4. Since the RTI Act defines information as "any material in any form", some PIOs and Information Commissioners interpret it narrowly and do not entertain your requests that are in the form of questions which begin with "why, where, how, explain" etc. They state that you cannot ask for Advice, Explanations, Opinions or Roving inquiries. It is, therefore, suggested that:

   1. you phrase your request in a manner that it doesn't look like a question. Two examples:

      Unacceptable to a PIO: Why was my license not issued on the same day as per rules?
      Acceptable: The rules state that the license shall be issued on the same day. Please provide reasons for not issuing my license on the same day.

      Unacceptable to a PIO: How long will the process of verification take?
      Acceptable: According to your rules or regulations, please advise the number of days or the amount of time it takes at each stage for the purpose of verification.

   2. instead of asking the question "Why have you not repaired the roads?", you should ask for (i) copy of the contract, (ii) samples of material from five locations of your choice of a road (to test and compare with specifications), (iii) names and contact details of the officials who certified the quality of the road, and (iii) budgetary or financial information indicating how much money has been allocated, spent or paid. By putting together all of the above information, you can draw conclusions and expose corruption, if any.

5. It often becomes impossible to avoid asking questions. Go ahead and ask. Nothing stops you. And then fight the PIO tooth and nail all the way to the High Court if he refuses to answer your simple queries such as "Has any action been taken on my complaint so far?". There is no better way of seeking this information other than by way of asking this simple question. A Commissioner or a Judge with common sense will know this.

1. Your place of residence is of no relevance when deciding which rules are to be followed.
2. If you want information from public authorities which are part of the Central Government, then follow the rules of Central Government irrespective of the location of the office of Public Authority. For example, all branches of the State Bank of India will follow Central Government's rules.
3. If you want information from a Public Authority which is part of a State Government, you need to follow rules of that state. For example if you want details of an emporium owned by Tamilnadu Government but which is situated in Delhi, you have to follow the rules of Tamilnadu Government.
4. In the case of High Courts and the Supreme Court, rules specially framed by these authorities will have to be followed, while applying for information from these Courts.