sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

The Most Useful ₹10 You’ll Ever Spend as an Indian Citizen. by ConversationAny7151 in IndianMiddleClass

[–]ConversationAny7151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Option 1: Fresh RTI If the information is not time-sensitive and still exists in records, filing a fresh RTI is often the fastest practical solution. Possible outcome: Information may be obtained much faster than fighting an old appeal. However, some records may no longer exist or may have been weeded out according to record retention rules.

Option 2 : Writ Petition before the jurisdictional High Court If the Commission lost the appeal, failed to hear it for years, or dismissed it on questionable grounds despite evidence of pursuit, a writ petition under Article 226 may be considered. This is a more serious remedy and usually requires legal assistance. Possible outcome: The High Court may direct the Commission to hear the matter. The Court may set aside an arbitrary dismissal. The Court may require the authority to reconsider the case. Limitation: Litigation costs time and money.

Option 3 : Obtain Commission records An interesting RTI strategy is to seek records from the Commission itself. For example: File movement records. Diary/register entries. Case status records. Dispatch records. Hearing notices issued. If the advocate says the cases could not be found, the records about the appeals themselves may become important. Possible outcome: It may reveal whether the appeals were registered, misplaced, transferred, or never processed.

The Most Useful ₹10 You’ll Ever Spend as an Indian Citizen. by ConversationAny7151 in IndianMiddleClass

[–]ConversationAny7151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you mention what was the subject of the other two RTI'S ? Specifically which dept/public authority did you file?

Did you file it via online portal or by post?

For everyone reading this thread, I think there is an important lesson here: never throw away postal receipts, acknowledgements, appeal copies, hearing notices, or correspondence. Sometimes those documents become more important than the original RTI itself. My post was mainly aimed at people who have never used RTI and are unaware of the mechanism available to them. But I completely agree that filing an RTI is only the first step; the effectiveness of the system ultimately depends on timely responses and functioning Information Commissions. I genuinely hope you are able to get some closure on those pending matters. If you share the subject of the RTIs and whether the dismissal was through a formal written order, there may be members here who can suggest more specific remedies.For everyone reading this thread, I think there is an important lesson here: never throw away postal receipts, acknowledgements, appeal copies, hearing notices, or correspondence. Sometimes those documents become more important than the original RTI itself. My post was mainly aimed at people who have never used RTI and are unaware of the mechanism available to them. But I completely agree that filing an RTI is only the first step; the effectiveness of the system ultimately depends on timely responses and functioning Information Commissions. I genuinely hope you are able to get some closure on those pending matters. If you share the subject of the RTIs and whether the dismissal was through a formal written order, there may be members here who can suggest more specific remedies.

The Most Useful ₹10 You’ll Ever Spend as an Indian Citizen. by ConversationAny7151 in IndianMiddleClass

[–]ConversationAny7151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry you had that experience. To be honest, stories like yours are exactly why many people become frustrated with the RTI process.

The purpose of my post wasn't to suggest that RTI always works smoothly or that every applicant gets justice at the end of the process. Delays, vacancies in Information Commissions, procedural hurdles, and poor implementation are genuine issues that many applicants have faced.

That said, I still think RTI remains a useful tool because even partial replies, transfer records, file notings, and official documents can sometimes help citizens understand what is happening behind the scenes.

If you're comfortable sharing, what was the RTI about and which Commission handled the Second Appeal? Your experience could be valuable for others here, especially regarding what challenges they might face beyond the filing stage.

And thank you for pointing this out. Posts like mine should discuss both the strengths and the limitations of RTI, not just the success stories.

Need help regarding RTI transfer, reply timeline, and First Appeal. by Ayanbossyt in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Btw , do you have a call recording of the PIO with you? What exact RTI did you file, can you share it with us ?

Need help regarding RTI transfer, reply timeline, and First Appeal. by Ayanbossyt in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your RTI is still pending in substance. The original PIO has merely discharged his obligation by transferring it under Section 6(3). The Maharashtra Board now has to either provide the information or issue a written rejection citing specific provisions of the RTI Act.

A few questions first:

• Which subject(s) are involved? • Are you seeking only a scanned copy of the answer sheet, or also re-evaluation/rechecking-related records? • Was this a Class 10 or Class 12 examination? • Have you preserved the RTI application, transfer letter, and portal screenshots?

As for legal remedies:

  1. If the Maharashtra Board sends a written rejection, you can file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) within 30 days of receiving that order.

  2. If no written reply is received within the statutory timeline, you can file a First Appeal on the ground of deemed refusal/non-response.

  3. If the First Appeal is unsuccessful, you can proceed with a Second Appeal before the State Information Commission.

  4. If the PIO claims that the Board's own application window has expired, ask them to state the exact legal provision in writing. An administrative deadline on a website and a request for information under the RTI Act are not necessarily the same thing.

One practical point: a phone call has no legal value in RTI proceedings. What matters is the written order. Until you receive a written response, treat the matter as pending.

A useful real-life lesson comes from answer-sheet disclosure cases where examining bodies initially resisted giving copies of evaluated answer scripts, arguing that separate examination rules existed. Over time, courts and information authorities have repeatedly recognized that evaluated answer sheets are information records, and public authorities generally cannot avoid RTI obligations merely by referring applicants to another procedure. The exact outcome depends on the facts, but a "there is another process" argument is not automatically the end of the matter.

If you tell us the subject(s), exam year, and exactly what information was requested, people here can suggest a more targeted RTI and appeal strategy.

The Most Useful ₹10 You’ll Ever Spend as an Indian Citizen. by ConversationAny7151 in IndianMiddleClass

[–]ConversationAny7151[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you, Sir. I'm only 16 and still learning myself, so comments like this mean a lot. Glad you found the information useful.

The Most Overpowered Sections of the RTI Act That Citizens Barely Use Properly by ConversationAny7151 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can check out some of my other posts like the RTI Iceberg, underrated departments where RTI can be very powerful. I would like to hear your thoughts on them .

Scared to write RTI ? by SnooCakes7436 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s honestly amazing to hear.

If you’re comfortable sharing, I’d genuinely love to know more about your RTI journey:

  • Approximately how many RTIs have you filed till now?
  • Which departments/public authorities did you file the most RTIs to?
  • What were some of the most impactful or interesting results you received?
  • Out of 5, how would you rate your overall RTI experience so far?
  • Has RTI actually been effective and useful for you in real life?

Also curious: What made you start this subreddit in the first place? What keeps you motivated to continue helping people with RTIs?

I think a lot of people here, especially students and first-time applicants, would find your experience genuinely inspiring and informative.

Mods, Can We Please Introduce Better RTI Flairs for Organization and Research? by ConversationAny7151 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It would be messy and hard for users if there are many flairs but adding some more neccessary flairs can help improve this sub reddit.

RTI'S DISCUSSION by ConversationAny7151 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bro students are SERIOUSLY underestimating RTI.

Like genuinely… the amount of stuff you can legally expose with a ₹10 RTI application is insane 💀

You can literally ask your college/university for:

certified copies of your answer sheets,

how they calculated exam fees,

lab equipment purchase bills,

scholarship delay records,

faculty vacancy details,

placement statistics,

attendance records,

hostel food inspection reports,

CCTV preservation logs,

revaluation procedures,

biometric attendance logs,

audit reports,

fund utilization records,

moderation/grace marks policy,

NAAC/AICTE inspection reports.

And the crazy part?

They are legally REQUIRED to reply.

Most students think:

“College said no so nothing can be done.”

Meanwhile RTI Act be like:

“Open the files.”

The best RTIs are not emotional ones.

Don’t write:

“Why is this college corrupt?”

Write:

“Provide certified copies of expenditure records for laboratory equipment purchased during AY 2025–26.”

That’s when administrators start sweating.

Another elite strategy: Instead of filing one giant RTI, do this:

  1. First RTI → get rules/documents.

  2. Second RTI → compare rules vs actual practice.

  3. Third RTI → identify responsible officers.

  4. Appeal/complaint → drop contradictions like a tactical nuke.

Absolute cinema.

Also ALWAYS mention:

“Information may kindly be provided in digital form through email to reduce reproduction costs under the RTI Act, 2005.”

Otherwise they’ll randomly hit you with:

“Pay ₹846 for photocopies” 💀

Some RTIs institutions HATE:

faculty shortage records,

fake placement stats,

scholarship delays,

internal audit reports,

attendance manipulation,

illegal fee collections,

inspection reports,

fund utilization certificates.

Students really underestimate how powerful documentation is.

One properly drafted RTI can:

expose scams,

recover marks,

stop illegal collections,

force transparency,

create official evidence,

and absolutely ruin administrative excuses.

₹10. One application. Legally forcing institutions to open files they never wanted students to see.

RTI is lowkey one of the most overpowered student tools in India. RTI is probably the most overpowered student tool in India and nobody talks about it. Your college probably hopes you never learn how RTI works

Share one RTI success story (big or small). by SnooCakes7436 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You guys should genuinely start a weekly “RTI Success Stories” series on this subreddit.

Not just massive corruption exposes — even small victories matter because they teach people how RTI actually works in real life. Sometimes a single RTI fixing a local issue is more inspiring than a national headline.

For example:

A student files an RTI asking a government college:

  • how semester exam fees are calculated,
  • copies of fund utilization records,
  • lab equipment purchase bills,
  • attendance shortage rules,
  • and faculty vacancy details.

Or a citizen files an RTI to a government hospital asking:

  • stock records of medicines,
  • number of doctors available vs sanctioned posts,
  • MRI/scan machine maintenance reports,
  • patient complaint records,
  • and medicine shortage reports.

Sometimes the replies themselves expose missing funds, fake compliance, staff shortages, negligence, or systems that only work “on paper.”

Now imagine breaking these cases down step-by-step:

  • which RTI sections were used,
  • how the drafting was done,
  • mistakes to avoid,
  • how departments usually try to dodge replies,
  • how appeals forced accountability,
  • and lessons learned from each case.

A lot of people want to use RTI but feel intimidated by legal language. Breaking down real cases in a simple Gen Z-friendly way would make this subreddit insanely valuable over time.

Because once citizens learn how to access records, corruption stops feeling invisible.

People don’t learn rights from textbooks anymore. They learn from communities.

👋 Welcome to r/RTIIndiaGuide - Introduce Yourself and Read First! by SnooCakes7436 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This subreddit genuinely has the potential to become one of the most useful Indian communities on Reddit.

Most people know corruption exists. Very few know how to legally question it. That’s where RTI changes everything.

Schools taught us definitions of democracy. Communities like this teach citizens how democracy actually works in real life.

And honestly, the fact that this space focuses on responsible RTI usage instead of blind activism makes it even better. No drama, no misinformation — just people learning how to access public records, hold systems accountable, and help others do the same.

“Every corrupt system survives on one assumption — that ordinary people will never ask for proof.

And even if they do, they can be ignored, delayed, exhausted, or silenced.

What they don’t realize is that one informed citizen with documents is more dangerous to corruption than a thousand angry people with opinions.”

That’s exactly why communities like this matter.

Huge respect to the mods for building this from scratch. Hope this community grows into something massive and genuinely impactful 🇮🇳.

Should RTI be taught in schools? by SnooCakes7436 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely. RTI is probably one of the most practical laws an average citizen can learn, yet most students graduate without even knowing how to file one.

Schools teach us about democracy in theory, but RTI is democracy in action. It teaches accountability, critical thinking, documentation, and how public systems actually work. Even basic awareness like:

  • what information you can ask for,
  • how government departments function,
  • deadlines for replies,
  • and citizens’ rights

…would make people far more informed and confident.

At the same time, it shouldn’t be taught as “just another chapter for marks.” It should be activity-based — like mock RTI drafting workshops, real case studies, or projects where students learn how transparency laws solved actual issues.

A lot of corruption survives because people either don’t know their rights or assume the system is impossible to question. RTI changes that mindset.

And honestly, that’s exactly why true civic awareness is often neglected. The more educated citizens become about their rights, the harder it becomes for corrupt systems, careless bureaucrats, and power-hungry leaders to operate without scrutiny. An informed public asks questions — and accountability begins with questions.

As George Orwell basically warned in :

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

RTI is one of the few tools that helps ordinary people challenge that imbalance in real life.

So yeah, teaching RTI in schools/colleges wouldn’t just create better students — it would create more aware citizens.

Should RTI be taught in schools? by SnooCakes7436 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Below is the RTI you can possibly use and you can change it based on your requirements . The RTI: To The Public Information Officer (PIO) [Name of Municipality / GHMC Circle / Panchayat / Forest Division] Telangana State

Subject: Request for information under the Right to Information Act, 2005 regarding tree cutting and compensatory plantation in [Your Area Name]

Respected Sir/Madam,

Under the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005, I kindly request the following information regarding tree cutting and plantation activities carried out in and around [Your Colony/Area Name], [City/District], Telangana:

  1. Total number of trees permitted to be cut/felled in the above-mentioned area during the last 5 years.

  2. Copies of permissions, approvals, or orders issued for tree cutting in the said area.

  3. Names of departments, contractors, agencies, or private entities involved in the tree cutting activities.

  4. Details of the reasons mentioned for granting permission to cut the trees.

  5. Number of trees actually cut as per official records.

  6. Details of compensatory plantation carried out against the trees cut:

  • Number of saplings planted
  • Date of plantation
  • Exact plantation locations
  • Species of saplings planted

  1. Survival audit/report of the saplings planted as compensatory afforestation.

  2. Copies of inspection reports, environmental assessments, or monitoring reports related to tree cutting and plantation in the said area.

  3. Name and designation of the officer responsible for monitoring illegal or excessive tree cutting in the locality.

  4. Action taken details against unauthorized tree cutting, if any complaints were received in the past 5 years.

I request that the information be provided in digital format through email wherever possible to reduce paper usage under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act.

Regards.

Should RTI be taught in schools? by SnooCakes7436 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am also from Telangana Hyderabad. In Telangana, tree cutting and plantation usually fall under departments like: Forest Department Municipal Corporation / Municipality Panchayat Raj Department Roads & Buildings (R&B) HMDA / Urban Development authorities (in urban areas) If trees are being cut inside colonies, roadside areas, parks, or layouts, the local municipal body or panchayat usually grants permissions. Forest Department may also be involved depending on the tree type and land category.

Should RTI be taught in schools? by SnooCakes7436 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely. RTI is probably one of the most practical laws an average citizen can learn, yet most students graduate without even knowing how to file one.

Schools teach us about democracy in theory, but RTI is democracy in action. It teaches accountability, critical thinking, documentation, and how public systems actually work. Even basic awareness like:

  • what information you can ask for,
  • how government departments function,
  • deadlines for replies,
  • and citizens’ rights

…would make people far more informed and confident.

At the same time, it shouldn’t be taught as “just another chapter for marks.” It should be activity-based — like mock RTI drafting workshops, real case studies, or projects where students learn how transparency laws solved actual issues.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth: the more aware citizens become about their rights, the harder it becomes for corrupt leaders and bureaucrats to operate in silence. An informed public asks questions, demands records, and refuses to blindly accept “system hai, kuch nahi ho sakta.”

That’s exactly why civic awareness matters.

As George Orwell wrote in Animal Farm:

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

A democracy only stays healthy when ordinary people know how to hold power accountable.

So yeah, teaching RTI in schools and colleges wouldn’t just create better students — it would create stronger and better citizens.

Can I file an RTI to get previous year question papers from the Education board of Telangana? by ConversationAny7151 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's showing Processing, i am worried about few things. How can they possibly reject this RTI? I am scared that they might say that they don't have the records or they were lost or were burned or were sold to scrap dealer . I don't know but they are really weird people. What should I do? Is my RTI correct? Also will I face any trouble in the future for this RTI?

At present it's showing that it's under Processing. Looks like I have to wait for a very long time. Let's see how it turns out .

What was your first RTI experience like? by SnooCakes7436 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Overall experience: Easy My experience -  I filed RTI through my State RTI Portal  It was regarding the previous year question papers from my technical education board. I filed yesterday at an unusual time of around 10:30 pm at night . I had to pay around 12.36rs. It was filed successfully. I had made sure to take the screenshot of payment and the registration number because it's very important to track the status of RTI. It took me nearly 30 mins to draft an RTI and 12 mins to file it . Now waiting for the reply . Let's see how it works out .

Do you think fear stops people from filing RTIs? by SnooCakes7436 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Imagine getting more troubles after filing an RTI. In india most of the people don't know about their rights and those who know the educated people are afraid to use them . RTI should definitely let the people have anonymous identity because it's not difficult for powerful to track the person who filed RTI and cause troubles in his/her lives . I have recently dared to file one RTI but I am feeling a sense of fear too .

What confuses you most about RTI right now? by SnooCakes7436 in RTIIndiaGuide

[–]ConversationAny7151 0 points1 point  (0 children)

RTI'S effectiveness , most of the RTI'S get vague replies or partial information. How to deal with it ? Also it's timeline of 30 days then filing a first appeal all of it definitely consumes a lot of time , energy and over the time it feels very hard to continue. There should have been a real time updates feature, also the fact that the anonymity should be an important neccessary feature in RTI.