Understand the reply to your RTI application
RTI replies come in official language, often answering some questions, refusing others under a section, or asking for a fee. TellBrief reads the reply and lines it up against your questions: what was answered, what was refused and under which exemption, any fee to pay, and the date by which you can file a first appeal.
How to do it
- Add the reply letter, as a PDF or photos, and your original application if you have it.
- Tap Brief.
- See each of your questions with the answer, or the reason it was refused.
- If the reply is incomplete, file a first appeal within 30 days with the points TellBrief lists.
What TellBrief tells you
- Each question matched with its answer
- What was refused, and the section cited
- Any extra fee asked and how to pay it
- The first appeal deadline and who to send it to
Words you'll see
- PIO
- Public Information Officer: the officer who must reply to your RTI, usually within 30 days.
- First appeal
- An appeal to a senior officer (the First Appellate Authority) within 30 days of the reply or the missed deadline.
- Second appeal
- An appeal to the Information Commission, usually within 90 days of the first appeal decision.
- Section 8
- The part of the RTI Act listing information that can be withheld, like personal or security information.
- Deemed refusal
- No reply within the time limit, which you can treat as a refusal and appeal.
Questions
How long does a department have to reply?
30 days from receiving the application, or 48 hours if it concerns someone's life or liberty.
Can they refuse just by citing a section?
They must give a reason. If you think the exemption doesn't apply, say so in your first appeal.
Will TellBrief write my appeal?
It lists the points to make. You file the appeal on the RTI portal or by post.
More guides
- Know what your affidavit says before you signBefore you sign an affidavit, see what it says you are declaring, the verification clause, stamp paper and notary details, in simple English or Hindi.
- See exactly what a power of attorney lets someone doRead a general or special power of attorney before signing: the powers given, limits, whether it can be cancelled, and registration, in plain words.
- Understand a notice to vacate from your landlordGot a notice to vacate from your landlord? See the reason, the date to leave, the notice period it relies on, the deposit and what your agreement says.
General information, not legal, medical or financial advice.
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