Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Right to Information (RTI)?

RTI empowers every citizen to request and obtain information from government departments, ensuring transparency and accountability.

2. What kind of information can I obtain through RTI?

You can request information such as:

Exam answer sheets (e.g., UPSC, SSC, GATE)
Passport, Aadhaar, and driving license application status
PF withdrawal and pension details
Fund usage by MPs/MLAs and local authorities

3. How does FileMyRTI work?

We simplify RTI filing by expertly drafting your application, identifying the correct government authority, paying necessary fees, and sending the application via Speed Post.

4. How can I track my RTI application status?

You'll receive timely email updates with tracking details. Additionally, a digital copy and tracking link of your application will be shared.

5. How long does it take to get a response?

Government offices typically respond within 30 days. Urgent matters related to life and liberty are addressed within 48 hours.

6. Does FileMyRTI guarantee receiving the requested information?

While RTI rules mandate government responses, some requests might be declined. In such cases, we assist you in filing an appeal.

7. Does FileMyRTI receive the government response on my behalf?

No, responses are sent directly to your provided address by the respective government department.

8. Can I submit my RTI anonymously through FileMyRTI?

Currently, anonymous RTI submissions are not permitted by law; your application must include your name and address.

9. Does FileMyRTI support applications in regional languages?

Yes, we accept RTI requests in English and Hindi. Simply provide your query in clear language; our experts handle the rest.

10. What if the government asks for additional fees?

Additional government fees, if requested, are to be paid by the applicant directly to the authority.

Bringing transparency closer, one RTI at a time.

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All Your RTI Questions — Answered

Everything first-time RTI applicants ask, organized by topic. For service-specific legal depth, open individual service pages (they include binding Supreme Court / High Court / CIC citations).

₹Pricing & Process

How much does FileMyRTI's service cost?

Our Basic plan starts at ₹399 (all inclusive — government fee, advocate drafting, filing, and tracking). The Expert plan at ₹599 adds senior-advocate review for complex matters such as land disputes, pension delays with prior denials, or second-appeal preparation. Pricing is the same across India; no hidden charges.

Is the government RTI fee included in your price?

Yes, fully included. The statutory RTI fee is ₹10 in most states (payable by IPO, DD, or online portal). We pay it on your behalf as part of our service fee. You never deal with Indian Postal Orders or Demand Drafts.

How long does the whole process take?

We draft your RTI within 24 hours of payment and file it the same or next working day. Under Section 7 of the RTI Act 2005, the government has 30 days to respond. If the department misses the deadline, we automatically draft a First Appeal at no extra cost — included with every RTI.

Do you offer refunds if the RTI doesn't succeed?

We guarantee filing within the promised timeline — if we fail to file your RTI within 24-48 hours of payment, you get a full refund. However, we cannot guarantee a specific government response since that is outside our control. See our refund policy at /refund-policy for full terms.

Can I pay with UPI, card, or wallet?

Yes — we accept UPI, credit/debit cards, net banking, and most wallets via Razorpay. International cards are also accepted for NRI clients.

§Legal Basics

Who can file an RTI application in India?

Any Indian citizen, regardless of age, residency, or income. You don't need to be a resident of the state whose government office you're writing to. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) with Indian citizenship are eligible. Non-citizens cannot file RTIs under Section 3 of the RTI Act 2005.

How long does the government have to respond?

Under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act 2005, the Public Information Officer (PIO) must respond within 30 days of receiving the application. When the information concerns a person's life or liberty, the deadline shortens to 48 hours (Section 7(1) proviso). Where a Third Party is consulted, the timeline extends to 40 days.

What information can I NOT get through RTI?

Section 8 of the RTI Act lists 10 specific exemptions — including information prejudicial to national security (S.8(1)(a)), information received in confidence from foreign governments (S.8(1)(f)), cabinet papers until the decision is final (S.8(1)(i)), and personal information unrelated to public activity (S.8(1)(j)). Most everyday citizen queries fall outside these exemptions.

Can I file an RTI online?

Yes. The central government accepts online RTI applications via rtionline.gov.in for all central ministries and departments. Several states — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Telangana — run their own online RTI portals. Many states still require postal filing. FileMyRTI handles whichever channel applies to your matter.

What is Section 4 of the RTI Act?

Section 4 imposes a proactive disclosure duty on every public authority — they must publish budgets, sanctioned works, particulars of functions, salaries, and decisions without waiting for RTI requests. In practice, many departments fall short; citing Section 4 at the start of an RTI request often forces compliance because the department is already in statutory default.

Who is a "Public Information Officer" (PIO)?

Every public authority must designate PIOs under Section 5(1) of the RTI Act. The PIO is the officer responsible for receiving RTI applications, providing information, and coordinating with other officers in the same department. Their names and contact details must be published (Section 4 duty). If the notified PIO is absent or untraceable, Section 5(4) deems any senior officer as the acting PIO.

Is there a word limit or format for RTI applications?

There is no statutory word limit. The Central RTI Rules 2012 prescribe a general format but do not make it mandatory. A valid RTI can be a plain-language letter on A4 paper. What matters is clarity of questions, specificity of subject, and proper addressing to the correct PIO. FileMyRTI's advocates draft applications structured to minimise Section 8 deflection.

⚖Appeals & Information Commission

What is a First Appeal under RTI?

A First Appeal is filed under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act 2005 when the original RTI has been denied, delayed beyond 30 days, or answered unsatisfactorily. It goes to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — always a senior officer in the same department. The FAA must dispose of the appeal within 30 days (extendable to 45 for good reason).

When do I file a First Appeal?

Within 30 days of (a) the PIO's response if unsatisfactory, or (b) the expiry of the PIO's 30-day statutory response window if they're silent. The Section 19(1) clock starts whichever is earlier. FileMyRTI includes First Appeal drafting free with every original RTI filing.

Is there a fee for filing a First Appeal?

No. The RTI Act does not prescribe any fee for First Appeals — it is a statutory right. Any state-level rule requiring a fee would be ultra vires. Where departments still demand a fee, the Information Commission routinely strikes such demands down.

What is a Second Appeal?

A Second Appeal is filed under Section 19(3) within 90 days of the First Appeal order (or deadline expiry). It goes to the Central Information Commission (CIC) for central public authorities, or the relevant State Information Commission for state subjects. The Commission has quasi-judicial powers including Section 20 personal penalties (₹250/day up to ₹25,000) on PIOs.

How long do Second Appeals take?

In practice, CIC Second Appeals take 6-12 months; State Information Commissions vary widely — 4 months (Kerala, Karnataka) to 2+ years (UP, Bihar) depending on case load. There is no fixed statutory deadline for Commission disposal.

Can the Information Commission personally penalise a PIO?

Yes. Under Section 20 of the RTI Act, the Commission can impose a penalty of ₹250 per day up to ₹25,000 personally on the PIO for wilful non-disclosure or false information. In egregious cases, the Commission also recommends disciplinary action against the officer. The Supreme Court in Namit Sharma v. Union of India (2013) 1 SCC 745 affirmed this authority.

📂Common RTI Topics

Can RTI speed up a delayed passport?

RTI does not directly issue passports, but it compels the RPO or police station to disclose the exact status, the officer in charge, and the reason for delay. Once accountability is on record, 60-70% of stuck police-verification files move within 2-4 weeks. It's the single most effective legal tool for stuck passport applications.

Can I get my answer script through RTI?

Yes. The Supreme Court in CBSE vs. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011) 8 SCC 497 definitively held that evaluated answer scripts are "information" under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act and must be disclosed on request. Universities and boards routinely comply once a properly drafted RTI is filed.

How do I file RTI for EPF / pension delay?

File with the Regional PF Commissioner (RPFC) of your PF office. Ask for your UAN-specific claim status, reason for any hold, officer-in-charge, and expected disposal timeline. CIC has repeatedly ordered EPFO to disclose member-specific file notings within the statutory 30-day window.

Can I file RTI for Gram Panchayat fund misuse?

Absolutely. The Panchayat Secretary is the default PIO for most Gram Panchayats. You can request work orders, measurement books, MGNREGA muster rolls, contractor details, and Gram Sabha meeting minutes. Section 4 of the RTI Act plus Section 17 of the MGNREGA Act 2005 mandate disclosure of these records.

Can RTI help with pending property mutation?

RTI doesn't execute mutation, but it compels the Tehsildar / MRO to disclose the exact blocker (missing document, third-party objection, survey dispute) and the officer responsible. In practice, 50-65% of mutations stuck beyond 90 days move within 30 days of a well-drafted RTI.

How do I get an encumbrance certificate (EC) through RTI?

RTI does not replace the Registration Act right to a certified EC copy, but it forces the Sub-Registrar's Office (SRO) to disclose the file-noting trail on your pending EC application. SROs that routinely stonewall EC applications release them quickly once the file trail is on record.

🏢About FileMyRTI

Is FileMyRTI a legal service or a forwarding agent?

FileMyRTI is a legal service. Every RTI is drafted by a Bar Council-enrolled advocate (enrollment numbers TS/1034/2008, TS/62/2019, TS/1446/2017) and carries the rigour of a legally-sound application. We are a product of Ranazonai Technologies (OPC) Pvt Ltd (CIN U62011TS2024OPC190928), registered in Hyderabad.

What is FileMyRTI's success rate?

Above 98% — measured as either substantive response within the 30-day statutory window, or successful extraction via First Appeal. 50,000+ RTIs filed since 2014. Success rate depends heavily on correct PIO identification and proper legal drafting, which is what our advocates specialise in.

Do you handle RTIs for states I don't live in?

Yes. Indian citizens can file RTIs for any state, union territory, central ministry, or central public authority regardless of their own residence. We handle cross-state filings including the correct payment mode for each state (IPO, DD, or online portal).

Who reviews the content on this website?

General RTI law content is reviewed by Adv. Narsimha Chary (Bar Council of Telangana, TS/1034/2008). Telangana-specific content (state guide, district pages, Bhu Bharati articles) is reviewed by Adv. Musab Hashmi (TS/62/2019). Andhra Pradesh content (state guide, district pages, Meebhoomi / APPSC articles) is reviewed by Adv. K.N.S.K. Vara Prasad (TS/1446/2017).

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