The eight parts every RTI application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 must contain — plus a full sample you can read line by line, and the drafting mistakes that get applications refused.
The basics
There is no single prescribed all-India form.
Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 lets you apply in writing or electronically, in English, Hindi or the official language of the area, to the Public Information Officer of the authority holding the record. A plain sheet of paper is legally sufficient. Some states and ministries publish their own form; where one exists it is convenient, but its absence is not a valid ground for rejection.
What decides the outcome is the wording. The Act gives you access to records — documents, file notings, orders, registers, samples and data already held — not to explanations or opinions. Section 6(2) expressly bars the PIO from asking why you want the information. The application fee is Rs 10 for central authorities; state fees and payment modes vary.
Structure
To, The Public Information Officer, <name of the office>, <full postal address>.
An RTI must reach the PIO of the authority that actually holds the record. A wrong addressee costs you weeks while the application is transferred under Section 6(3).
Subject: Application seeking information under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
This tells the receiving clerk it is a statutory RTI and not an ordinary complaint or representation.
Name, full postal address with PIN code, phone number and email.
Only your name and an address for correspondence are legally required. You need not give a reason for seeking the information (Section 6(2)).
Numbered points: (i) Certified copy of ..., (ii) Date-wise status of file no. ..., (iii) Name and designation of the officer who ...
Each point should ask for a record, document, file noting, inspection report or data already held by the authority. Numbered points make partial denials visible.
For the period 01 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
A defined period prevents the PIO from calling the request vague or 'disproportionately diverting resources'.
The application fee of Rs 10 is enclosed by way of Indian Postal Order / Demand Draft / court fee stamp bearing no. ..., in favour of ...
An RTI without the prescribed fee is not treated as filed. The accepted mode differs by state — see the state guides.
I belong to the Below Poverty Line category; a copy of my BPL card is enclosed. No fee is payable under Section 7(5).
BPL applicants pay neither the application fee nor copying charges.
Kindly supply the information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1). Place, date, signature.
Quoting the 30-day limit puts the statutory clock on record and helps if you later file a First Appeal.
Sample
Example: records of a road repair work. Replace the angle-bracketed fields with your own details.
To, The Public Information Officer, Office of the Executive Engineer, Public Works Division, <District>, <State> - <PIN> Subject: Application seeking information under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. Sir/Madam, I request the following information relating to the repair of the road from <landmark A> to <landmark B> in Ward No. <__>: 1. Certified copy of the administrative approval and the technical sanction issued for the said road work. 2. Certified copy of the work order, including the name of the contractor and the sanctioned amount. 3. Date-wise details of all payments released to the contractor, with voucher numbers. 4. Copy of the relevant Measurement Book entries recorded for this work. 5. Name and designation of the officer responsible for supervising this work. Period of information: 01 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. The application fee of Rs 10 is enclosed by way of Indian Postal Order No. <______> dated <______>, drawn in favour of <as prescribed by the authority>. Kindly furnish the information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the Act. If any part of this request is held by another public authority, kindly transfer that part under Section 6(3) and inform me. Yours faithfully, <Full name> <Full postal address with PIN> <Phone> <Email> Place: <____> Date: <____> Signature: ____________
Send it by registered post or speed post and keep the receipt — the 30-day period under Section 7(1) runs from the date the authority receives the application.
Avoid these
Most failed RTIs fail on wording, not on law.
"Why was my road not repaired?" is an opinion question and is routinely refused. Ask instead for the sanction order, work order, measurement book entries and payment vouchers for that road.
Municipal, state and central bodies hold different records. If the record is with a state department, a central ministry's PIO will only transfer it — the clock effectively restarts.
Cheques are often refused. Most states accept an IPO, DD, court fee stamp or treasury challan; central authorities accept IPO or DD in favour of the Accounts Officer.
Unnumbered, overlapping questions invite a single evasive reply. Numbered, self-contained points force point-by-point answers.
Without dates, file numbers or ward/survey numbers, the PIO can claim the request is vague under Section 7(9).
An unsigned application, or one with no postal address for the reply, is treated as defective and returned.
Next step
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