1. You can apply on a plain paper or on a letter head in English, Hindi or local language.
2. You may also choose to use the form designed by us. Click to download or go to the Downloads section.
3. The RTI Act says that you can apply electronically but you should ignore that provision because there are many practical difficulties, least of all the problem with paying the fee.

1. Visit the website of the Public Authority for the name, designation and address of the correct PIO. Look for "RTI" or "Right to Information" link or icon.
2. Also visit http://rti.gov.in. Many central government departments are listed on this website.
3. Visit the official portal of the state government and the State Information Commission. You may find PIO details of many departments there.
4. Visit the local office of the concerned Public Authority and try to obtain PIO details.
5. If you can't find RTI link on the website of the concerned department, learn to use Google's advanced search facility. This will unearth hidden and deep-buried content on the website. For example, type the following in Google's search box:-

"right to information" site:http://www.sitename.com
OR,   rti site:http://www.sitename.com

4. If there are multiple PIOs in a department and you are not sure who is the right one, just send your application to any one and he will either collect and provide you the information himself or forward it to the right PIO under intimation to you.
5. In case the Public Authority has not appointed a PIO or you are unable to find one in spite of your best efforts, prepare your application addressed to the "Public Information Officer". Write a covering letter addressed to the head of the department, requesting him to forward it to the PIO. Address the envelope to the head of the department and send it by Regd./Speed Post so that it gets accepted at the other end.

1. Your application must be accompanied by fee. For details of fee structure for different States and the Centre, please visit "Fees, Rules, Commissions".
2. On the above page, you will also find the mode of payment for different States and the Centre.
3. If you are paying by postal order, make sure that you write in your application as follows - "I am leaving the 'pay to' field blank. Please fill it in yourself."

1. The easiest method of submitting an application is through Registered or Speed Post accompanied by Postal Order. Don't use a courier because it is not a legally acceptable proof of delivery.
2. Second easiest method is to submit it at a Post Office and pay the fee in cash. Many post offices across the country act as APIOs for most of the central government Public Authorities.
3. The last method is to go to the offices of the Public Authority and meet either the PIO or the APIO and deposit your application along with the appropriate fee either in cash or through postal order. Often, there is a desk or a clerk deputed for the purpose of receiving such applications. Do obtain acknowledgment on the photocopy of the application together with a receipt for the fee.

1. If the transfer is justified, simply wait for information.
2. If the transfer is not done within 5 days, file a complaint under section 18 with the Information Commission.

1. File another RTI application before the same PIO and request information as to the number of applications received by him since he became a PIO, the number of cases in which he demanded proof of citizenship and the reasons for demanding proof of citizenship in each case.
2. Also file a complaint under section 18 with the Information Commission.
3. If the information is of urgent nature, you may submit proof of citizenship but also lodge complaint under section 18. To avoid vindictiveness on the part of the PIO, the RTI application mentioned at point 1 may be filed on behalf of a friend.

1. If no reply is received within 40 days, prefer first appeal.
2. Also file a complaint under section 18 with the Information Commission.

1. If you are not satisfied, go for first appeal.
2. If partial information is supplied and fee is demanded for the rest, you can either pay or prefer an appeal.

1. If the PIO demands further fee, he has to
   1. show complete calculation as to how he arrived at this figure
   2. state that you have the right to review of fee
   3. advise you the name, designation and address of the person before whom you can request a review
   4. tell you the process and time frame for review of the fee
2. You should normally pay fee within 15 days.
3. In case of any grievance, you can prefer first appeal against the fee or against the reply itself.

1. Prefer first appeal.

1. Write a letter of thanks to the PIO as a matter of courtesy. You may also need his service/assistance later in life.

1. Always give the benefit of doubt to the PIO and wait for extra 10 days to allow for the transit time. Governments work slowly.
2. Write your preliminary comments as well as para-wise comments on the reply of the PIO. That makes it easier for the Appellate Authority (AA) to deal with your appeal.

1. If the PIO has sent you any communication, he may have included the details of the first AA. He is duty bound to include this information if he has rejected part or whole of your request.
2. Or, visit the website of the Public Authority for the name, designation and address of the correct AA.
3. Also visit http://rti.gov.in. Many central government departments are listed on this website.
4. If there are multiple AAs and you are not sure which one is correct AA for you, just send it to any one. He will either deal with your appeal himself or forward it to the right AA under intimation to you.
5. In case you don't find any AA at all, send the appeal addressed to the "First Appellate Authority" with a covering letter addressed to the PIO, telling him that since he has not provided the details of the AA, he can forward it to the correct AA.

1. You can apply on a plain paper or on a letter head in English, Hindi or local language.
2. You may also choose to use the form designed by us. Click to download or go to the Downloads section.
3. You may email first appeal together with enclosures in scanned format. Mark a copy to rti@nyayabhoomi.org so that there is a record that it was actually sent..

1. The information sought be provided immediately free of cost.
2. Compensation be provided for not supplying me information within the prescribed time limit.
3. Disciplinary action be initiated against erring officers for not complying with the law.

1. There is no fee for first appeal.
2. Many states have prescribed a nominal fee for first appeal. This is illegal and should be challenged in the respective High Court.

1. The easiest method of submitting an appeal is through Registered or Speed Post. Don't use a courier because it is not a legally acceptable proof of delivery.
2. Or, go to the offices of the Public Authority and deposit it. Do obtain acknowledgment on the photocopy of the appeal.

1. Correct format is very important. Information Commissions are known to reject a large percentage of appeals due to their non-conformity with the format and compliance to regulations.
2. We strongly recommend that you use the template designed by us. Click to download here. All the nonsense such as verification, certificate, double-spacing etc. are incorporated.
3. Online filing of appeals is still at a nascent stage. We do not recommend it yet.
4. Copy of every annexure attached to the original copy should be self-attested.

1. All PIOs and the AA will be Respondents.
2. If there has been no response from the PIO and the AA, you must also include proof of dispatch/delivery of the application/appeal.

1. Complete and comprehensive information be provided to the Appellant in one batch free of cost immediately.
2. Compensation be provided to the Appellant u/s 19(8)(b) for not supplying information within the prescribed time limit.
3. U/s 19(8)(b), the Public Authority be ordered to reimburse the Appellant towards traveling and lodging-boarding expenses for attending the hearing.
4. Disciplinary action be recommended against the Respondent(s) u/s 20(2).
5. Penalty be imposed on the PIO u/s 20(1).
6. An entry in service book/annual appraisal report of the concerned PIO & FAA be made for defying the provisions of the Act.

1. For all central government Public Authorities, send your appeal to the Central Information Commission. For Public Authorities of state govt., send it to respective State Information Commission.

1. No fee is payable.

1. Send a copy to every Respondent.
2. Send the original + copy to the Information Commission.
3. No fee is payable.

1. Wait for the number days granted by the Commission to the PIO + 10 days and then write a letter to the Commission. Seek imposition of penalty and disciplinary action against the PIO.
2. Go to the High Court of your state by way of a writ.

1. Ask for a review by writing a detailed letter to the Chief Information Commission. Clarify why you think a review is necessary.
2. Or, go to the High Court of your state.
3. Or, plan public/people's action against the Commission, especially if the Information Commission has been clearly biased and rude and has either threatened or intimidated you.