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RTI First Appeal Generator — Section 19(1)

No reply to your RTI in 30 days, or an incomplete answer? Draft a clear first appeal to the First Appellate Authority, see your deadline, and download it as PDF. Free. No login. Nothing you type leaves your device.

RTI Act 2005 · Sec 19(1) Download as PDF Deadline check No login required

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Time limit: 30 days from the PIO's reply — or from the date the reply was due, if none came. Late? Give the reason; the appeal can still be accepted for sufficient cause. First appeal already decided, or no decision in 45 days? Draft the RTI second appeal.

Appeal language

1. Your Details (Appellant)

Full Name *

Address *

Mobile Number

Email (optional)

2. Your Original RTI Application

Date of RTI application *

Registration / Reference No.

Filed with (PIO designation & office) *

Mode of filing

Subject of RTI (short) *

3. What Happened?

Which points were not answered properly? (optional)

Keep it short and factual — point numbers and what is missing.

4. First Appellate Authority & Relief

First Appellate Authority (designation & office) *

Usually the officer senior to the PIO in the same office. The PIO's reply often names the FAA.

FAA office address

Relief sought

Direct the PIO to give complete and correct information Supply information free of cost — Section 7(6) (only if the PIO missed the time limit) Give me a chance to be heard before the appeal is decided

Place

Date of appeal

RTI First Appeal — When and How to File

Under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act, 2005, you can file a first appeal if the Public Information Officer (PIO) does not reply within 30 days, or if you are not satisfied with the reply. The appeal goes to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — an officer senior to the PIO in the same public authority.

Time limit: within 30 days of receiving the PIO's reply, or within 30 days after the reply was due (30 days from your application) if no reply came. The FAA can accept a late appeal if you show sufficient cause for the delay.

Decision: the FAA should decide within 30 days, and at most 45 days with reasons recorded (Section 19(6)). If you are still not satisfied, a second appeal lies with the Central or State Information Commission within 90 days (Section 19(3)).

Fee: under the Central RTI Rules there is no fee for a first appeal. Some states follow their own rules — check your state's RTI rules before filing.

First Appeal Preview Updates as you type

How to File the First Appeal

Download, print and sign the appeal

Attach copies of your RTI application, proof of filing and the PIO's reply (if any)

Send to the First Appellate Authority by registered post, or submit by hand and take a receipt

If your RTI was filed on rtionline.gov.in, file the first appeal on the same portal

Keep copies — you'll need them for a second appeal

Kaise use karein

Apni details aur original RTI ki date / number bharein.
Chunein — 30 din mein jawab nahi aaya, ya jawab se santusht nahi. Kya kami thi, tick karein.
First Appellate Authority ka office likhein, PDF download karein, sign karke RTI aur reply ki copy ke saath bhejein.

Privacy & security

Sab kuch aapke browser mein hota hai — koi upload nahi, koi login nahi. Aapka draft completely private rehta hai.

Common use cases

Panchayat ya Nagar Panchayat ne jawab nahi diya, PWD ne adhoori jaankari di, "record available nahi" likh kar mana kar diya — in sab mein first appeal ka haq hai.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I file an RTI first appeal?

When the PIO does not reply within 30 days of your RTI application, or when you are not satisfied with the reply — for example the information is incomplete, refused, incorrect, or an unjustified extra fee is demanded.

What is the time limit for an RTI first appeal?

30 days from the date you receive the PIO's reply, or, if no reply came, 30 days from the date the reply was due (30 days after you filed the RTI). The First Appellate Authority may accept a late appeal if you show sufficient cause for the delay.

Who is the First Appellate Authority?

An officer senior in rank to the PIO in the same public authority. The PIO's reply usually names the First Appellate Authority; if not, address it to 'The First Appellate Authority' at the same office.

Is there a fee for an RTI first appeal?

Under the Central RTI Rules, no fee is charged for a first appeal. Some states have their own rules, so check your state's RTI rules.

How long does the First Appellate Authority take to decide?

The FAA should decide within 30 days of receiving the appeal, and in any case within 45 days with reasons recorded in writing (Section 19(6)).

What if I am not satisfied with the first appeal decision?

You can file a second appeal with the Central Information Commission (for central public authorities) or the State Information Commission within 90 days of the FAA's decision, or of the date by which it should have been made (Section 19(3)).

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