Know Your Rights: Right to Information (RTI) Act

Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 covers the whole of India except Jammu and Kashmir, where J&K Right to Information Act is in force.

Every public authority is obligated to maintain computerised versions of all records in such a way that it can be accessed over a network anywhere in the country and issued to the person who has requested for information.

Every public authority should provide essential information to the public through various channels of information (including internet) at frequent intervals so that the use of the RTI Act to obtain information can be kept to a bare minimum.

Any person who desires to obtain information shall submit a written or electronic request in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area to the Central Public Information Officer or his/her counterpart at the state level.

No applicant will be required to give any reason for application for request or to provide any personal information except for contact details where it is necessary for the authorities to contact the applicant.

Under normal circumstances, the information requested for will be provided in the form sought for - if a citizen asks for some information in the form of an email attachment, it will be provided unless it causes damage to the original document itself.

Also Read | Know Your Rights: Parents can seek maintenance from their children

The authority will be under no obligation to provide such information that might hurt the sovereignty and integrity of India, information that has been forbidden to share by any court of law, information received under confidence by a foreign Government and cabinet papers.

With the information provided, any citizen will be able to file a case/appeal under the RTI Act.

Contact: Director (IR), Room No. 279A, North Block, New Delhi-110001

Email: osdrti-dopt@nic.in

Under Secretary (IR), Room No. 281, North Block, New Delhi-110001

Email: usir-dopt@nic.in