How long does the FAA take to decide?

FAA must decide within 45 days of receiving the appeal.

RTI First Appeal Format (Section 19(1)): Sample, Filled Example & Deadlines

26th of Aug. 2025
By - FileMyRTI Editorial Team

Topics

Quick answer: The complete appeal procedure: a First Appeal to the FAA within 30 days (no fee in most states, decided in 30-45 days under Section 19(6)), then a Second Appeal to the Information Commission within 90 days under Section 19(3). Includes a copy-paste Section 19(1) template and our free appeal builder.

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Build my First Appeal → First — is the refusal even valid?

Quick Answer: If your RTI application was ignored, denied, or incompletely answered, file a First Appeal to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) within 30 days. If the FAA also fails, file a Second Appeal to the State or Central Information Commission within 90 days. No fee is required for either appeal. The appeal must reference your original RTI and state specific grounds for dissatisfaction. File your RTI appeal now →

How to File an RTI First Appeal (and Second Appeal)

Published August 26, 2025 - FileMyRTI Editorial - approx 7 min read

If your RTI was ignored, partially answered, or wrongly rejected, you can file a First Appeal. If that fails, you can move a Second Appeal to the Information Commission. Here is how.

When to File a First Appeal?

No reply within 30 days (48 hours for life or liberty cases).
Incomplete, misleading, or wrong reply.
Wrong exemption cited under Section 8 or 24.
Excess or unreasonable fees demanded.

Deadline: File within 30 days of the PIO's reply, or after 30 days of no reply.

How to Draft the First Appeal

Include:

Reference to your original RTI application.
Grounds for appeal (late or no reply, incomplete info, wrong exemption, etc.).
Relief sought (direct PIO to provide complete info, waive fees, etc.).

Tip: Be concise, polite, and attach copies of your RTI application, proof of submission, and PIO reply.

Where to File

With the First Appellate Authority (FAA) of the same department or public authority. Many central or state RTI portals allow online First Appeals.

FAA duty: Must decide within 45 days of receiving your appeal.

Second Appeal

If unsatisfied with the FAA order, or if no decision within 45 days, you can file a Second Appeal under Section 19(3):

To the Central or State Information Commission.
Within 90 days of FAA order (or after the 45 day period lapses).
Include copies of RTI, PIO reply, First Appeal, FAA order, and your grounds.

Commissions may call hearings; keep all documents organized.

Need expert help with your RTI Appeal?

Our team can help draft clear and effective First or Second Appeals.

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FAQs

What is the time limit for First Appeal?

Within 30 days of PIO's reply or after 30 days of no reply.

How long does the FAA take?

Up to 45 days, with reasons recorded.

What is the deadline for Second Appeal?

Within 90 days of the FAA order or expiry of the 45 day period.

Is there a fee for First Appeal?

Usually no fee, but check your state rules.

Can I file appeals online?

Yes, many central and state portals allow online First Appeals. Second Appeals go to Information Commissions.

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RTI First Appeal — Key Deadlines & Rules (Section 19)

Step	Rule
When to file First Appeal	Within 30 days of the PIO's reply, or after 30 days of no reply (deemed refusal) — Section 19(1)
Who decides it	The First Appellate Authority (FAA) — an officer senior to the PIO in the same public authority
FAA decision time	Ordinarily 30 days, extendable to 45 days — Section 19(6)
First Appeal fee	No fee under the central RTI Rules (some states differ — check your state rules)
If First Appeal fails	Second Appeal within 90 days to the Central/State Information Commission — Section 19(3)

RTI First Appeal Format (Copy-Paste Template)

Use this format under Section 19(1). Fill the bracketed fields, attach a copy of your original RTI and the PIO's reply (if any), and submit to the First Appellate Authority of the same department.

To,
The First Appellate Authority,
[Name/Designation of the FAA],
[Name & address of the public authority].

Subject: First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 against the [non-reply / inadequate reply / denial] by the PIO.

Sir/Madam,

I filed an RTI application dated [date] (copy enclosed) addressed to the PIO, [office], seeking [brief subject].
The reply was due within 30 days under Section 7(1). I have [received no reply / received a reply dated [date], copy enclosed].
I am aggrieved because [no information was provided / the information is incomplete or evasive / the request was wrongly denied under Section [____]].
The PIO's [non-reply amounts to a deemed refusal under Section 7(2) / denial is not supported by any valid exemption under Section 8 or 9].

Prayer: I request the First Appellate Authority to direct the PIO to provide the complete information sought, free of cost under Section 7(6) as the statutory time limit was exceeded, and to take such action as the Act provides.

Appellant: [Name] · [Address] · [Phone/Email]
Place & Date: [____]
Enclosures: copy of RTI application; PIO reply (if any); proof of fee paid.

Filled Example: First Appeal for an Ignored Passport-Delay RTI

This is a completed example for the common case where the PIO gave no reply within 30 days. Adapt it to your facts.

To,
The First Appellate Authority,
O/o the Regional Passport Officer,
[City] Passport Office.

Subject: First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 against the non-reply by the CPIO.

Sir/Madam,

I filed an RTI application dated 2 April 2026 (copy enclosed) addressed to the CPIO, Regional Passport Office, seeking the current status of my passport application File No. AB1234567, the reason for the delay beyond 45 days, and the date of police verification.
The reply was due by 2 May 2026 under Section 7(1). As on the date of this appeal, I have received no reply whatsoever.
I am aggrieved because no information has been provided and the statutory period has lapsed.
The CPIO's failure to respond within 30 days amounts to a deemed refusal under Section 7(2) of the Act.

Prayer: I request the First Appellate Authority to direct the CPIO to furnish the complete information sought, free of cost under Section 7(6) since the time limit was exceeded, and to ensure compliance within the period prescribed under Section 19(6).

Appellant: R. Sharma · 14, MG Road, [City] · 98XXXXXXXX · r.sharma@email.com
Place & Date: [City], 10 May 2026
Enclosures: copy of RTI application dated 2 April 2026; proof of ₹10 fee paid.

Grounds You Can Cite in a First Appeal

No reply in 30 days — deemed refusal under Section 7(2).
Incomplete or evasive reply — information sought was not actually provided.
Wrong denial — exemption under Section 8/9 cited without justification, or third-party/file-noting refusal misapplied.
Excess fee demanded — or fee demanded despite the 30-day limit being crossed (Section 7(6) makes it free).
Wrong transfer or "information not held" — without transferring under Section 6(3) to the authority that holds it.

Not sure which ground applies, or want it drafted correctly the first time? Our in-house legal team drafts your First Appeal — and if a department missed the 30-day deadline on an RTI we filed for you, we draft that First Appeal free of charge.

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Reviewed by Narsimha Chary

Practicing Lawyer | Legal Team Lead

Legal review ensures the interpretation of RTI Act provisions, cited rulings, and procedural steps in this article reflect current law and standard practice before Central and State Information Commissions. Full profile of Narsimha Chary →