When does it come into force?
It comes into force on the 12th October, 2005 (120th day of its enactment on 15th June, 2005). Some provisions have come into force with immediate effect viz. obligations of public authorities [S.4(1)], designation of Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers[S.5(1) and 5(2)], constitution of Central Information Commission (S.12 and 13), constitution of State Information Commission (S.15 and 16), non-applicability of the Act to Intelligence and Security Organizations (S.24) and power to make rules to carry out the provisions of the Act (S.27 and 28).

Who is covered?
The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. [S.(12)]
What is Information?
“Information”- any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force. " but does not include "file notings" [S.2(f)].

What is Right to information?
“Right to information” .[S.2(j)] means the right to information accessible under this Act which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right to -
• Inspection of Work, documents, records,
• Taking notes, extracts or certified copies of the documents or records
• Taking certified samples of material;
• Obtaining information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or any other electronic mode or through printouts where such information is stored in a computer or in any other device.

How to apply for information?
• Application to be made in writing in English, Hindi or official language of the state. to the PIO, specifying the particulars of the information sought for.Pay fees as may be prescribed (if not belonging to the below poverty line category).
• The application fee of Rs 10/- should be paid in cash or demand draft or cheque to the Public Information Officer.
• In addition, the Public Information Officer may charge the following fees:
• Rs 2/- for each page (A4/A3) created or copied
• Actual charge or cost price for larger size paper
• Actual cost or price for samples or models
• For inspection of records, no fee for the first hour, Rs. 5/- for every subsequent hour. For information on diskettes or floppies Rs. 50/- per diskette/floppy. For printed information Rs. 2/- per page or as per the price fixed for such material.

What is the Time Limit for supply of Information?
• 30 days from the date of application
• 48 hours in case the information concerns life or personal liberty
• 5 additional days if information to be obtained by the PIO
• 40 days in case a third party is affected.

What is third party information?
• If any information is sought relating to the interest of a third party, than the third party should be informed in writing about the intention to disclose the information within 5 days.
• 10 days time is to be given to the third party to make its representation if any
• SPIO can still decide to disclose the information even if third party objects. The third party is to be informed about this decision.
• Third party can prefer an appeal against the decision.

Who is liable under the act?
All Government departments and other Government or public authorities are liable to give information

What does public authority and other authority mean?
Public authority under [S.2(h)] means:
• All authorities, governments constituted by or under the constitution.
• All authorities constituted by any law of Parliament
• All authorities constituted by Law made by the Legislation
Other Public Authorities:
• By notification issued or by order of the appropriate government
• All bodies owned, controlled or subsequently financed by the government
• All non governmental organizations substantially financed by the government

Whom to apply for information?
• Information is o be sought from the public Information Officer notified by the government for each of the Departments
• Specific names have been notified by the government for each of the departments.
• Application can be addressed merely to Public Information Officer in Public Department.

Who are Public Information Officers (PIOs)?
PIOs are officers designated by the public authorities in all administrative units or offices under it to provide information to the citizens requesting for information under the Act. Any officer, whose assistance has been sought by the PIO for the proper discharge of his or her duties, shall render all assistance and for the purpose of contraventions of the provisions of this Act, such other officer shall be treated as a PIO.

What is not open to disclosure?
The following Information is exempt from disclosure [S.8)]
• information disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence information which has been expressly forbidden to be published by any court of law or tribunal or the disclosure of which may constitute contempt of court;
• information, the disclosure of which would cause a breach of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature
• information including commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property, the disclosure of which would harm the competitive position of a third party, unless the competent authority is satisfied that larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information
• information available to a person in his fiduciary relationship, unless the competent authority is satisfied that the larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information
• information received in confidence from foreign Government; information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person or identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement or security purposes
• information which would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders
• cabinet papers including records of deliberations of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other officers;
• information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual
• Notwithstanding any of the exemptions listed above, a public authority may allow access to information, if public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm to the protected interests.

Is partial disclosure allowed?
• Only that part of the record which does not contain any information which is exempt from disclosure and which can reasonably be severed from any part that contains exempt information, may be provided. [S.10]

Who is excluded?
Central Intelligence and Security agencies specified in the Second Schedule like IB, R&AW, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Economic Intelligence Bureau, Directorate of Enforcement, Narcotics Control Bureau, Aviation Research Centre, Special Frontier Force, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, NSG, Assam Rifles, Special Service Bureau, Special Branch (CID), Andaman and Nicobar, The Crime Branch-CID-CB, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Special Branch, Lakshadweep Police. Agencies specified by the State Governments through a Notification will also be excluded. The exclusion, however, is not absolute and these organizations have an obligation to provide information pertaining to allegations of corruption and human rights violations. Further, information relating to allegations of human rights valuations could be given but only with the approval of the Central or State Information Commission, as the case may be. [S.24)]

Whom to appeal?
• Any person aggrieved by a decision of the SPIO can appeal to the next higher authority (First Appeallate Authority) within 30 days of receipt of the decision. A second appeal can be made if not satisfied with decision of first appeallate authority within 90 days to the state Information Commission (SIC)
• Appeals to be decided within 30 days and not exceeding 45 days.
• Decision of the SIC final and binding
• In its decision SIC, has the powers to Direct the public authority to take steps necessary to secure compliance with the provisions of the Act; Direct public Authority to compensate the complainant for any loss suffered Impose any penalties; Reject the appeal

What is the Procedure for Appeal to Commission?
An appeal should contain:
• Name & address of the applicant
• Name & address of the SPIO against whose decision the appeal is preferred
• Details of SPIOs date, appeal order etc
• Brief Facts of appeal
• If appeal is for refusal to give information, name and address of SPIO who refused.
• Prayer relief on the ground for power prayer or relief
• Verification by the appellant
• Any other information the commission may deem necessary.

What are the Documents needed for appeal?
• Every appeal shall be accompanied by
• Self attested copies of orders of documents against whom appeal is preffered
• Copies of Documents relied upon by the appellate
• Index of Documents referred for appeal

Appeals and penalties (Sec 19 & 20)
The SIC while deciding any complaint or appeal, is of the opinin that the PIO has without reasonable cause refused to receive an application for information or has not furnished information within time or malafidely denied request or given incorrect, misleading or false information or destroyed information which was subject of the request or obstructed in any manner in furnishing information, a penalty of Rs 250/- per day to be imposed till the information is furnished subject to an upper limit of Rs 25,000/- in total

Question: To whom should the application be made?