This communication from the Government of India’s Department of Personnel and Training clarifies the scope of information that public authorities are obligated to provide under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. It emphasizes that the Act mandates the supply of information that is already in existence and held by the public authority, not the creation of new information, analysis, or...
This Office Memorandum directs all public authorities to proactively disclose details of official foreign and domestic tours undertaken by Ministers and officials of the rank of Joint Secretary and above, as well as Heads of Departments. This disclosure, mandated by Section 4 of the RTI Act, 2005, should include information on the tour’s nature, destinations, duration, delegation size, and...
This update details the ongoing efforts and achievements related to the Delivery Monitoring Unit (DMU) mechanism and significant developments concerning the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The quarterly DMU report is publicly accessible online, ensuring transparency in the review of flagship programs and projects. To enhance awareness of RTI, various initiatives were undertaken, including...
This office memorandum addresses a critical aspect of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, specifically concerning the timely intimation of additional fees for photocopies. It highlights a concern raised by the Central Information Commission (CIC) that some Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) are informing applicants about photocopying charges very late in the 30-day period allowed...
This notification from the Department of Personnel and Training clarifies the procedure for collecting additional charges for information requested under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The Central Information Commission has observed that some Public Information Officers are informing applicants about these charges only towards the end of the 30-day statutory period for providing information...
The Department of Personnel and Training, in collaboration with the Department of Posts, has launched the “eIPO” (Electronic Indian Postal Order) service. This new facility allows Indian citizens, particularly those abroad, to electronically purchase Indian Postal Orders to pay fees for seeking information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. Payments can be made online via...
Public authorities are reminded of their obligation to proactively disclose details of official tours undertaken by ministers and senior officials. This includes information on the nature of the tour, destinations, duration, delegation size, and total travel costs. This disclosure, mandated under the RTI Act, aims to reduce the need for individuals to file Right to Information requests. Public...
This document is a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Government of India’s Department of Personnel and Training for a comprehensive 360-degree study on the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. The study aims to assess the RTI regime from both the demand and supply sides, examining trends in applications, public satisfaction levels, user experiences, the cost of...
This document provides comprehensive guidelines for implementing “suo motu” or proactive disclosure under Section 4 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. It addresses the need for improved transparency and reduced reliance on individual RTI applications by detailing specific types of information that public authorities must disclose. The guidelines cover procurement...
A new web portal, RTI Online, has been launched to facilitate the online filing of Right to Information (RTI) applications and first appeals. Developed by NIC, this portal allows Indian citizens to submit applications and make payments for RTI fees through internet banking or credit/debit cards. Initially, the facility is available only for the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), with...