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rti legal
8 min read·CC BY-SA 4.0

Drafting an Iron-Clad Section 6(1) RTI Application

How to frame precise questions, attach ₹10 court fee stamps or postal orders, and invoke Section 7(1) for matters of life or liberty.
The Right to Information Act, 2005 is the citizen's most powerful non-violent weapon. However, 70% of RTI queries are rejected because applicants ask "Why" instead of asking for certified records. GOLDEN RULE: NEVER ASK "WHY" - INCORRECT: "Why has the road in Street 8 not been constructed despite funds allocated?" - CORRECT: "Please provide certified copies of the work order, measurement book (MB) entries, contractor bill clearance sheets, and completion certificate for road work executed in Street 8 during FY 2024-25." STATUTORY TIMELINE: - Standard RTI: 30 days from date of receipt by PIO (Section 7(1)). - If transferred under Section 6(3): 30 days + 5 days. - Life or Liberty of a person: 48 hours. IF NO RESPONSE IN 30 DAYS: Do not get disheartened. File a First Appeal under Section 19(1) immediately. Sangathan generates the First Appeal draft automatically upon expiration of your 30-day countdown.
Published by Sangathan Space Civic Working Group