First Appeal (under RTI)
Section 19(1), RTI Act 2005
A First Appeal is your first level of challenge under the RTI Act — used when the PIO refuses information, gives an incomplete or misleading reply, or misses the 30-day deadline. You file it to the First Appellate Authority within 30 days.
A First Appeal is filed under Section 19(1) to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — an officer senior in rank to the PIO in the same office. You can file it when the PIO refuses your request, gives only part of the information, charges an unreasonable fee, or simply does not reply within 30 days (a deemed refusal).
The appeal must be filed within 30 days of the PIO's decision or the lapse of the deadline. No fee is required in most jurisdictions. Keep your original RTI, the PIO's reply (if any), and proof of filing.
Key points
- Filed under Section 19(1) to the First Appellate Authority.
- Use it for refusal, incomplete/misleading replies, excess fee, or no reply.
- Deadline: within 30 days of the PIO's decision or the 30-day lapse.
- Usually free; the FAA decides within 30 (up to 45) days.
Related RTI terms
Free RTI Tools No login
Calculate your fee, draft your RTI, find the right PIO, and track every deadline — all free.
This is a plain-English summary of the Right to Information Act, 2005 for general understanding — educational, not legal advice. For a specific case, the exact wording of the Act and your facts matter.
Login / Sign up
Login With Google
Continue as GuestOr use your email Address
*We value your trust. Your information remains private and protected with FileMyRTI