I filed an RTI but was denied information. Can I appeal?

What the Law Says

The Right to Information Act, 2005 provides a two-tier appellate mechanism when information is denied, partially provided, or not provided within the statutory timeframe.

If your RTI application is rejected or ignored, you may file a first appeal before the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — a senior officer designated within the same public authority.

The FAA must be appointed within one working day of receiving the RTI application, and must decide the appeal within 30 days (or 45 days in exceptional cases).

If dissatisfied with the FAA’s order, you may file a second appeal before the Central Information Commission (CIC) or State Information Commission (SIC), depending on the public authority involved.

No fee is required for the first appeal. For the second appeal, a fee of Rs. 250 must be paid (unless exempted for BPL applicants).

Statutory Text

Any person who does not receive a decision within the period specified in sub-section (1) or (2) or is aggrieved by a decision of the Central Public Information Officer may make a first appeal to the First Appellate Authority within thirty days from the expiry of such period.

— Right to Information Act, 2005, s. 19(1) — First appeal

Statutory Text

The First Appellate Authority shall dispose of the appeal within thirty days of the receipt of the appeal or within such extended period, not exceeding forty-five days, as may be specified by the Central Government.

— Right to Information Act, 2005, s. 19(6) — Time limit for FAA

Statutory Text

Any person aggrieved by a decision of the First Appellate Authority may prefer a second appeal to the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission, as the case may be, within ninety days from the date on which the decision should have been made or was actually received.

— Right to Information Act, 2005, s. 19(3) — Second appeal

What to Do

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