How to file an RTI online or by post — for ₹10
A government office is sitting on a decision, a file, or an answer you are entitled to. A pending application. A delayed benefit. A "come back next week" that never ends. The Right to Information is one of the most useful tools an ordinary citizen has, and you can use it yourself, without a lawyer.
What RTI lets you do
The RTI Act gives you the right to ask most public authorities for information they hold, and it requires them to answer within a set time, generally 30 days. It turns "we will let you know" into a legal duty to reply. You do not have to explain why you want the information, and the fee is small.
How to file
- Identify the right office, meaning the public authority that holds the information.
- Write a clear application addressed to its Public Information Officer, asking specific questions that can be answered. Precise questions get precise answers. Vague ones get brushed aside.
- Pay the small fee. The amount and the method vary by authority. Many states have online RTI portals, and there is a central portal for central departments.
- Keep proof of filing and note the date. The clock starts from there.
How to word your RTI question
The wording is everything. Ask for specific documents or facts, such as "provide the status and file notings of application no. X", not for opinions. A specific question is hard to avoid.
If your RTI is ignored or refused, that is not the end. There is a first appeal process. Tell Miss Lucy Lite what you are trying to find out and she will help you frame the questions.
Ask about your own situation
Tell Miss Lucy Lite what happened, in your own words. She tells you your rights and what to do next. Free.
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