Grounds for Rejecting an RTI Application
Sections 8, 9, 11 & 24, RTI Act 2005
A PIO can reject an RTI only on specific legal grounds — the Section 8(1) exemptions, copyright (Section 9), third-party objections (Section 11), exempt organisations (Section 24), or where the information is genuinely not held. Every rejection must cite the exact provision and reasons.
An RTI cannot be refused on a whim. The lawful grounds are limited: the exemptions in Section 8(1)(a)–(j), copyright infringement (Section 9), the third-party procedure (Section 11), exempt intelligence and security organisations in the Second Schedule (Section 24), or where the information is genuinely not held or not under the control of the public authority.
Under Section 7(8), a rejection must state the reasons, the specific provision relied on, and the details of the appellate authority. A bare "cannot be provided" or a wrong provision is itself a defective rejection you can challenge in a First Appeal.
Key points
- Only Sections 8, 9, 11, 24, or "not held" can justify a refusal.
- Section 7(8): a rejection must give reasons + the exact provision + appeal details.
- Vague or mis-cited rejections are defective and appealable.
- A "disproportionate diversion" claim (Section 7(9)) is NOT a ground to refuse information.
Related RTI terms
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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.
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