Public Information Officer (PIO)
Section 5, RTI Act 2005
A Public Information Officer (PIO) is the officer every public authority must designate to receive your RTI application and provide the information you ask for. In central government bodies the PIO is called the CPIO.
Under Section 5(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, every public authority has to designate Public Information Officers at all of its administrative units and offices. The PIO is the person who actually deals with your RTI request.
The PIO must respond to your application within 30 days (or 48 hours if it concerns your life or liberty). A PIO can take the assistance of any other officer to do this — and under Section 5(4)–(5) that officer is then also treated as a PIO for accountability.
Key points
- Designated under Section 5(1) to receive RTI applications and supply information.
- Must respond within 30 days (48 hours for matters of life and liberty).
- If the information is held by another office, the PIO must transfer your application under Section 6(3) within 5 days.
- A PIO who refuses without reasonable cause, gives wrong or incomplete information, or delays can be penalised ₹250/day up to ₹25,000 under Section 20.
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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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