1. When does it come into force?
It comes into force on the 12th October, 2005 (120th day of its
enactment on 15th June, 2005). Some provisions have come into
force with immediate effect viz. obligations of public authorities
[S.4(1)], designation of Public Information Officers and Assistant
Public Information Officers[S.5(1) and 5(2)], constitution of
Central Information Commission (S.12 and 13), constitution of
State Information Commission (S.15 and 16), non-applicability
of the Act to Intelligence and Security Organizations (S.24) and
power to make rules to carry out the provisions of the Act (S.27
and 28).
2. Who is covered?
The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu
and Kashmir. [S.(12)]
3. What does information mean?
Information means any material in any form including records,
documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases,
circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples,
models, data material held in any electronic form and information
relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public
authority under any other law for the time being in force but
does not include "file notings" [S.2(f)].
4. What does Right to Information
mean?
It includes the right to -
i. inspect works, documents, records.
ii. take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records.
iii. take certified samples of material.
iv. obtain information in form of printouts, diskettes, floppies,
tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through
printouts.[S.2(j)]
5. What are the obligations of public
authority?
It shall publish within one hundred and twenty days of the enactment:-
i. the particulars of its organization, functions and duties;
ii. the powers and duties of its officers and employees;
iii. the procedure followed in its decision making process, including
channels of supervision and accountability;
iv. the norms set by it for the discharge of its functions;
v. the rules, regulations, instructions, manuals and records used
by its employees for discharging its functions;
vi. a statement of the categories of the documents held by it
or under its control;
vii. the particulars of any arrangement that exists for consultation
with, or representation by the members of the public, in relation
to the formulation of policy or implementation thereof;
viii. a statement of the boards, councils, committees and other
bodies consisting of two or more persons constituted by it. Additionally,
information as to whether the meetings of these are open to the
public, or the minutes' of such meetings are accessible to the
public;
ix. a directory of its officers and employees;
x. the monthly remuneration received by each of its officers and
employees, including the system of compensation as provided in
its regulations;
xi. the budget allocated to each of its agency, indicating the
particulars of all plans, proposed expenditures and reports on
disbursements made;
xii. the manner of execution of subsidy programmes, including
the amounts allocated and the details and beneficiaries of such
programmes;
xiii. particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or authorizations
granted by it;
xiv. details of the information available to, or held by it, reduced
in an electronic form;
xv. the particulars of facilities available to citizens for obtaining
information, including the working hours of a library or reading
room, if maintained for public use;
xvi. the names, designations and other particulars of the Public
Information Officers.[S.4(1)(b)]
6. What is not open to disclosure?
The following is exempt from disclosure [S.8)]
i. information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect
the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic,
scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign
State or lead to incitement of an offence
ii. information which has been expressly forbidden to be published
by any court of law or tribunal or the disclosure of which may
constitute contempt of court;
iii. information, the disclosure of which would cause a breach
of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature;
iv. information including commercial confidence, trade secrets
or intellectual property, the disclosure of which would harm the
competitive position of a third party, unless the competent authority
is satisfied that larger public interest warrants the disclosure
of such information;
v. information available to a person in his fiduciary relationship,
unless the competent authority is satisfied that the larger public
interest warrants the disclosure of such information;
vi. information received in confidence from foreign Government;
vii. information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life
or physical safety of any person or identify the source of information
or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement or security
purposes;
viii. information which would impede the process of investigation
or apprehension or prosecution of offenders;
ix. cabinet papers including records of deliberations of the Council
of Ministers, Secretaries and other officers;
x. information which relates to personal information the disclosure
of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest,
or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the
individual;
xi. Notwithstanding any of the exemptions listed above, a public
authority may allow access to information, if public interest
in disclosure outweighs the harm to the protected interests.
7. Is partial disclosure allowed?
Only that part of the record which does not contain any information
which is exempt from disclosure and which can reasonably be severed
from any part that contains exempt information, may be provided.
[S.10]
8. What does a "public authority"
mean?
It means any authority or body or institution of self-government
established or constituted: [S.2(h)]
• by or under the Constitution;
• by any other law made by Parliament;
• by any other law made by State Legislature;
• by notification issued or order made by the appropriate
Government.and includes any-
a. body owned, controlled or substantially financed
b. non-Government organization substantially financed directly
or indirectly by the appropriate Government.
9. Who is excluded?
Central Intelligence and Security agencies specified in the Second
Schedule like IB, R&AW, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence,
Central Economic Intelligence Bureau, Directorate of Enforcement,
Narcotics Control Bureau, Aviation Research Centre, Special Frontier
Force, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, NSG, Assam Rifles, Special Service
Bureau, Special Branch (CID), Andaman and Nicobar, The Crime Branch-CID-CB,
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Special Branch, Lakshadweep Police.
Agencies specified by the State Governments through a Notification
will also be excluded. The exclusion, however, is not absolute
and these organizations have an obligation to provide information
pertaining to allegations of corruption and human rights violations.
Further, information relating to allegations of human rights valuations
could be given but only with the approval of the Central or State
Information Commission, as the case may be. [S.24)]
10. Who are 'Third Parties'?
A third party means a person other than the citizen making a request
for information and includes a public authority. Third parties
have a right to be heard in respect of applications and appeals
dealing with information submitted by them to the Government in
confidence. [S.2(n) and S.11]
11. Who are Public Information Officers (PIOs)?
PIOs are officers designated by the public authorities in all
administrative units or offices under it to provide information
to the citizens requesting for information under the Act. Any
officer, whose assistance has been sought by the PIO for the proper
discharge of his or her duties, shall render all assistance and
for the purpose of contraventions of the provisions of this Act,
such other officer shall be treated as a PIO.
12. What are the duties of a PIO?
• PIO shall deal with requests from persons seeking information
and where the request cannot be made in writing, to render reasonable
assistance to the person to reduce the same in writing.
• If the information requested for is held by or its subject
matter is closely connected with the function of another public
authority, the PIO shall transfer, within 5 days, the request
to that other public authority and inform the applicant immediately.
• PIO may seek the assistance of any other officer for the
proper discharge of his/her duties.
• PIO, on receipt of a request, shall as expeditiously as
possible, and in any case within 30 days of the receipt of the
request, either provide the information on payment of such fee
as may be prescribed or reject the request for any of the reasons
specified in S.8 or S.9.
• Where the information requested for concerns the life
or liberty of a person, the same shall be provided within forty-eight
hours of the receipt of the request.
• If the PIO fails to give decision on the request within
the period specified, he shall be deemed to have refused the request.
• Where a request has been rejected, the PIO shall communicate
to the requester - (i) the reasons for such rejection, (ii) the
period within which an appeal against such rejection may be preferred,
and (iii) the particulars of the Appellate Authority.
• PIO shall provide information in the form in which it
is sought unless it would disproportionately divert the resources
of the Public Authority or would be detrimental to the safety
or preservation of the record in question.
• If allowing partial access, the PIO shall give a notice
to the applicant, informing:
a. that only part of the record requested, after severance of
the record containing information which is exempt from disclosure,
is being provided;
b. the reasons for the decision, including any findings on any
material question of fact, referring to the material on which
those findings were based;
c. the name and designation of the person giving the decision;
d. the details of the fees calculated by him or her and the amount
of fee which the applicant is required to deposit; and
e. his or her rights with respect to review of the decision regarding
non-disclosure of part of the information, the amount of fee charged
or the form of access provided.
• If information sought has been supplied by third party
or is treated as confidential by that third party, the PIO shall
give a written notice to the third party within 5 days from the
receipt of the request and take its representation into consideration.
• Third party must be given a chance to make a representation
before the PIO within 10 days from the date of receipt of such
notice.
13. What is the Application Procedure
for requesting information?
1. Apply in writing or through electronic means in English or
Hindi or in the official language of the area, to the PIO, specifying
the particulars of the information sought for.
2. Reason for seeking information are not required to be given;
3. Pay fees as may be prescribed (if not belonging to the below
poverty line category).
14. What is the time limit to get the information?
1. 30 days from the date of application
2. 48 hours for information concerning the life and liberty of
a person
3. 5 days shall be added to the above response time, in case the
application for information is given to Assistant Public Information
Officer.
4. If the interests of a third party are involved then time limit
will be 40 days (maximum period + time given to the party to make
representation).
5. Failure to provide information within the specified period
is a deemed refusal.
15. What is the fee?
1. Application fees to be prescribed which must be reasonable.
2. If further fees are required, then the same must be intimated
in writing with calculation details of how the figure was arrived
at;
3. Applicant can seek review of the decision on fees charged by
the PIO by applying to the appropriate Appellate Authority;
4. No fees will be charged from people living below the poverty
line
5. Applicant must be provided information free of cost if the
PIO fails to comply with the prescribed time limit.
16. What could be the ground for rejection?
1. If it is covered by exemption from disclosure. (S.8)
2. If it infringes copyright of any person other than the State.
(S.9)
17. Who are the Appellate Authorities?
1. First Appeal: First appeal to the officer senior in rank to
the PIO in the concerned Public Authority within 30 days from
the expiry of the prescribed time limit or from the receipt of
the decision (delay may be condoned by the Appellate Authority
if sufficient cause is shown).
2. Second Appeal: Second appeal to the Central Information Commission
or the State Information Commission as the case may be, within
90 days of the date on which the decision was given or should
have been made by the First Appellate Authority. (delay may be
condoned by the Commission if sufficient cause is shown).
3. Third Party appeal against PIO's decision must be filed within
30 days before first Appellate Authority; and, within 90 days
of the decision on the first appeal, before the appropriate Information
Commission which is the second appellate authority.
4. Burden of proving that denial of Information was justified
lies with the PIO.
5. First Appeal shall be disposed of within 30 days from the date
of its receipt. Period extendable by 15 days if necessary. (S.19)
18. How is Central Information Commission constituted?
1. Central Information Commission to be constituted by the Central
Government through a Gazette Notification.
2. Commission includes 1 Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)
and not more than 10 Information Commissioners (IC) who will be
appointed by the President of India.
3. Oath of Office will be administered by the President of India
according to the form set out in the First Schedule.
4. Commission shall have its Headquarters in Delhi. Other offices
may be established in other parts of the country with the approval
of the Central Government.
5. Commission will exercise its powers without being subjected
to directions by any other authority. (S.12)
19. What is the eligibility criteria
and what is the process of appointment of CIC/IC?
1. Candidates for CIC/IC must be persons of eminence in public
life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology,
social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration
and governance.
2. CIC/IC shall not be a Member of Parliament or Member of the
Legislature of any State or Union Territory. He shall not hold
any other office of profit or connected with any political party
or carrying on any business or pursuing any profession. (S.12)
3. Appointment Committee includes Prime Minister (Chair), Leader
of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and one Union Cabinet Minister
to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
20. What is the term of office and
other service conditions of CIC?
1. CIC shall be appointed for a term of 5 years from date on which
he enters upon his office or till he attains the age of 65 years,
whichever is earlier.
2. CIC is not eligible for reappointment.
3. Salary will be the same as that of the Chief Election Commissioner.
This will not be varied to the disadvantage of the CIC during
service. (S.13)
21. What is the term of office and
other service conditions of IC?
1. IC shall hold office for a term of five years from the date
on which he enters upon his office or till he attains the age
of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier and shall not be eligible
for reappointment as IC.
2. Salary will be the same as that of the Election Commissioner.
This will not be varied to the disadvantage of the IC during service.
3. IC is eligible for appointment as CIC but will not hold office
for more than a total of five years including his/her term as
IC. (S.13)
22. How is the State Information Commission
constituted?
1. The State Information Commission will be constituted by the
State Government through a Gazette notification. It will have
one State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) and not more than
10 State Information Commissioners (SIC) to be appointed by the
Governor.
2. Oath of office will be administered by the Governor according
to the form set out in the First Schedule.
3. The headquarters of the State Information Commission shall
be at such place as the State Government may specify. Other offices
may be established in other parts of the State with the approval
of the State Government.
4. The Commission will exercise its powers without being subjected
to any other authority.
23. What is the eligibility criterion and what
is the process of appointment of State Chief Information Commissioner/State
Information Commissioners?
The Appointments Committee will be headed by the Chief Minister.
Other members include the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative
Assembly and one Cabinet Minister nominated by the Chief Minister.
The qualifications for appointment as SCIC/SIC shall be the same
as that for Central Commissioners.
The salary of the State Chief Information Commissioner will be
the same as that of an Election Commissioner. The salary of the
State Information Commissioner will be the same as that of the
Chief Secretary of the State Government. (S.15)
24. What are the powers and
functions of Information Commissions?
1. The Central Information Commission/State Information Commission
has a duty to receive complaints from any person -
a) who has not been able to submit an information request because
a PIO has not been appointed ;
b) who has been refused information that was requested;
c) who has received no response to his/her information request
within the specified time limits ;
d) who thinks the fees charged are unreasonable ;
e) who thinks information given is incomplete or false or misleading
;and
f) any other matter relating to obtaining information under this
law.
2. Power to order inquiry if there are reasonable grounds.
3. CIC/SCIC will have powers of Civil Court such as -
a) summoning and enforcing attendance of persons, compelling them
to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce documents
or things;
b) requiring the discovery and inspection of documents;
c) receiving evidence on affidavit ;
d) requisitioning public records or copies from any court or office
e) issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents
f) any other matter which may be prescribed.
4. All records covered by this law (including those covered by
exemptions) must be given to CIC/SCIC during inquiry for examination.
5. Power to secure compliance of its decisions from the Public
Authority includes-
a) providing access to information in a particular form;
b) directing the public authority to appoint a PIO/APIO where
none exists;
c) publishing information or categories of information;
d) making necessary changes to the practices relating to management,
maintenance and destruction of records ;
e) enhancing training provision for officials on RTI;
f) seeking an annual report from the public authority on compliance
with this law;
g) require it to compensate for any loss or other detriment suffered
by the applicant ;
h) impose penalties under this law; or
i) reject the application. (S.18 and S.19)
25. What is the reporting procedure?
1. Central Information Commission will send an annual report to
the Central Government on the implementation of the provisions
of this law at the end of the year. The State Information Commission
will send a report to the State Government .
2. Each Ministry has a duty to compile reports from its Public
Authorities and send them to the Central Information Commission
or State Information Commission, as the case may be.
3. Each report will contain details of number of requests received
by each Public Authority, number of rejections and appeals, particulars
of any disciplinary action taken, amount of fees and charges collected
etc.
4. Central Government will table the Central Information Commission
report before Parliament after the end of each year. The concerned
State Government will table the report of the State Information
Commission before the Vidhan Sabha (and the Vidhan Parishad wherever
applicable). (S.25)
26. What are the penalty provisions?
Every PIO will be liable for fine of Rs. 250 per day, up to a
maximum of Rs. 25,000/-, for -
i. not accepting an application;
ii. delaying information release without reasonable cause;
iii. malafidely denying information;
iv. knowingly giving incomplete, incorrect, misleading information;
v. destroying information that has been requested and
vi. obstructing furnishing of information in any manner.
The Information Commission (IC) at the Centre and the State levels
will have the power to impose this penalty. The Information Commission
can also recommend disciplinary action for violation of the law
against an erring PIO. (S.20)
27. What is the jurisdiction of courts?
Lower Courts are barred from entertaining suits or applications
against any order made under this Act. (S.23) However, the writ
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Courts under Articles
32 and 225 of the Constitution remains unaffected.
28. What is the role of Central/State Governments?
1. Develop educational programmes for the public especially disadvantaged
communities on RTI.
2. Encourage Public Authorities to participate in the development
and organization of such programmes.
3. Promote timely dissemination of accurate information to the
public.
4. Train officers and develop training materials.
5. Compile and disseminate a User Guide for the public in the
respective official language.
6. Publish names, designation postal addresses and contact details
of PIOs and other information such as notices regarding fees to
be paid, remedies available in law if request is rejected etc.
(S.26)
29. Who has the Rule making power?
Central Government, State Governments and the Competent Authority
as defined in S.2(e) are vested with powers to make rules to carry
out the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005. (S.27
& S.28)
30. Who has the power to deal with the difficulties while implementing
this act?
If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions in
the Act, the Central Government may, by Order published in the
Official Gazette, make provisions necessary/expedient for removing
the difficulty. (S.30)
