by The Right to Information Act, 2005 does not lay down any prescribed format for RTI Application. It is entirely up to you to identify what you must include in your application. The objective of writing an effective RTI application is simple to enable the public authority to give you the information you seek for.
The Right to Information Act extends to the whole of India except the state of Jammu and Kashmir. All citizens including Indians living abroad possess the right to seek information. This implies that the person seeking information must be an individual and not a corporation, society or any other public authority. Neither persons of Indian Origin nor foreign nationals can avail the benefits under this Act.
The language of the RTI Application
The application can be written in English, Hindi or any official language of the state in which the department lies. However, the RTI Act makes no provision to demand answers in the language of your choice. So sometimes, one gets troubled when the reply to the application is given in a language they cannot comprehend. For instance, you file an RTI application with the Municipal Corporation, Gandhinagar in Hindi. The PIO replies to your application in Gujarati.
The courts and commissions have laid down in several judgments that information should be given to the Applicant in the language he understands. Therefore, it is advisable to keep two things in mind while choosing the language of your application:
- Always write your application in the language in which you wish to receive a reply. If you want the PIO to reply to you in Hindi, make sure you write your application in Hindi.
- As a precautionary measure, It is always advisable to mention in your application clearly the language in which you seek a reply.
To,
The Central /State Public Information Officer
or Assistant Public Information Officer
(Name of the Office along with the Address)
Sir/Madam,
Sub: Application seeking Information under RTI Act, 2005.
It is requested to provide the following information under the RTI Act, 2005.
(1) Details of information required
(a) Subject matter and details of information required in the form of questions which should be specific.
- No. 1 – ……
- No. 2 – …….
- No. 3 – ……..
(b) Period for which information is sought.
(2) If inspection is being sought, a categorical mention should be made.
(3) If life and liberty is claimed, it should be specified.
(4) In case of schedule II organisations, a specific mention of corruption/human rights violations to be made
(5) Any other relevant point
In case the information is held by or related to another public authority, the application or such part of it as may be appropriate may be transferred to that other public authority under intimation to the undersigned as per Section 6(3) of RTI Act. (It acts as a reminder for the PIO who is required to do it under the Act).
Evidence of payment of Application fee of Rs. 10/- and mode of payment.
(i) A fee of Rs. 10/- has been deposited in cash in the Accounts Office of the Public authority vide Receipt No.________ dated__________; or
(ii) A Postal Order/Bank Draft No. __________ dated _______ is enclosed; or
(iii) Exemption from payment of fees is claimed and evidence of the BPL status (example- Photocopy of BPL Ration Card) is attached.
Signature / Thumb Impression of the applicant
Full name and Postal Address of the Applicant
Contact Phone No. and e-mail (If any)
