Records requests: India.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand · Philippines.

Moraph for Good · Voice

Records requests: India

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/records-requests

In many places you have a legal right to ask public bodies for the information they hold. This sheet covers how to ask clearly and what to do next.

Before you ask

Check the body’s website, meeting papers and any disclosure log.
Work out which body holds the records.

Writing your request

Describe the records you want, plainly and specifically.
Give dates and the format you’d like.
Ask for records, not answers to questions.
Keep a copy and note the date you sent it.

Deadlines and fees

Time limits and fee rules depend on the country and the body: see the country section.
Ask for an estimate before any charges, and narrow the request to reduce them.

If you’re refused

The reply should say why and how to ask for a review.
Ask for a review promptly, then go to the independent body if needed.

In India

Your right. Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, any Indian citizen can seek information held by or under the control of a public authority. This includes inspecting documents and records, taking notes or certified copies, and getting information in electronic form.
How to ask. Make the request in writing, in English, Hindi or the official language of the area, to the Public Information Officer. Requests to central ministries, departments and other central public authorities can be filed on the RTI Online portal; it does not take requests for state public authorities.
Fees. A prescribed fee applies, but a citizen below the poverty line pays no RTI fee if they attach a copy of their certificate. There is no fee for a first appeal, or for a second appeal or complaint to the Central Information Commission.
If you get no reply or are refused. If there is no reply within 30 days, or you are unhappy with it, file a first appeal with the First Appellate Authority, who has up to 45 days to decide. You can then make a second appeal to the Central Information Commission within 90 days, or complain to it directly, for example if access was refused.
State bodies. The Central Information Commission covers central public authorities. Each state has its own State Information Commission, and RTI requests to state public authorities go to those authorities, not through RTI Online. The Central Information Commission website links to each State Information Commission.

Official places to check:

Central Information Commission: cic.gov.in/faqs
Central Information Commission: cic.gov.in/introduction
Central Information Commission: cic.gov.in/links-to-state-information-commissions
RTI Online (Department of Personnel and Training): rtionline.gov.in
RTI Online (Department of Personnel and Training): rtionline.gov.in/faq.php

More free official help in India: moraph.org/commons/help/civic-engagement/in

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 20 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/records-requests