Right to Information: User Guide

What type of information can you request?

Once you have identified which body you think holds the information you want to request and who you will need to send an application to, you will need to think more carefully about exactly what information you want to access from the relevant public authority.

Under the Central Act, information is very broadly defined. A citizen can request a range of different types of information in a range of different formats including:

• Obtaining information in the form of floppies, diskettes, tapes, video tapes, tapes or any other electronic mode.
• Obtaining certified copies of documents or records;
• Inspecting records;
• Taking notes and extracts;
• Inspecting public works;
• Taking samples of material from public works;

Not all State laws allow the public to access the same type of information. For example, in Madhya Pradesh the information available to the public is restricted to "records" only. In contrast, under the Assam and Delhi laws, citizens have the right to inspect any Government work or take a sample of material of any work. In Delhi, the provision allowing the inspection of works and taking samples has already been used to great effect to enable people to access information about whether government and the contractors it employs are properly undertaking public works.

Please note that you cannot simply ask a Public Information Officer a general question under the law. You need to try and specify the actual "information" you are after. Experience has shown that some officials have rejected applications because they did not specify a "record" specifically enough, so you should be very careful to avoid any vagueness or ambiguity. You do not want to give officials an excuse for rejecting your application. You will need to be as specific as possible and think about whether you can limit your search by date, by area and/or by amount.

Please click on the link to the Central RTI Act to read the detailed provisions contained in the law. Please click on the link to CHRI's State RTI pages to find out more about relevant rules and implementation in your specific State.