Section 6 RTI Act: Request for obtaining information
Right to Information Act, 2005
Section 6 RTI Act at a Glance
Section 6 RTI Act explains how a person files a written or electronic request for information with a public authority without giving reasons. If another public authority holds or handles that information, the receiving authority must transfer the request within 5 days.
Section 6 RTI Act Bare Act Text
6. Request for obtaining information.
(1) A person, who desires to obtain any information under this Act, shall make a request in writing or through electronic means in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area in which the application is being made, accompanying such fee as may be prescribed, to—
(a) the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, of the concerned public authority;
(b) the Central Assistant Public Information Officer or State Assistant Public Information Officer, as the case may be,
specifying the particulars of the information sought by him or her:
Provided that where such request cannot be made in writing, the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, shall render all reasonable assistance to the person making the request orally to reduce the same in writing.
(2) An applicant making request for information shall not be required to give any reason for requesting the information or any other personal details except those that may be necessary for contacting him.
(3) Where an application is made to a public authority requesting for an information,—
(i) which is held by another public authority; or
(ii) the subject matter of which is more closely connected with the functions of another public authority,
the public authority, to which such application is made, shall transfer the application or such part of it as may be appropriate to that other public authority and inform the applicant immediately about such transfer:
Provided that the transfer of an application pursuant to this sub-section shall be made as soon as practicable but in no case later than five days from the date of receipt of the application.
Section 6 RTI Act in Simple Words
Section 6 RTI Act sets out the procedure for requesting information from a public authority (an authority or body covered by the Act, as defined in Section 2 RTI Act). Under Section 6(1) RTI Act, a person seeking information makes a request in writing or through electronic means. The applicant may write the request in English, Hindi, or the official language of the area where the application is made. The application must specify the particulars of the information sought and include the prescribed fee (though under the proviso to Section 7(5) RTI Act, persons below the poverty line as determined by the appropriate Government pay no fee). Under Section 6(1)(a) RTI Act, the applicant sends the request to the Central or State Public Information Officer (the officer designated under Section 5 RTI Act to provide information) of the concerned public authority. Under Section 6(1)(b) RTI Act, the applicant may instead submit the request to a Central or State Assistant Public Information Officer (an officer designated at the sub-divisional or sub-district level under Section 5(2) RTI Act to receive and forward applications, which adds 5 days to the response period under Section 7(1) RTI Act).
The proviso to Section 6(1) RTI Act protects applicants who cannot submit a written request. Where a request cannot be made in writing, the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer must give all reasonable assistance to the person making an oral request so that the request is put into writing.
Under Section 6(2) RTI Act, an applicant does not have to give any reason for asking for the information. The public authority also cannot require any personal details from the applicant other than the details needed to contact the applicant.
Section 6(3) RTI Act applies when an applicant sends a request to a public authority, and another public authority holds the information (Section 6(3)(i) RTI Act) or has functions more closely connected with the subject matter of the information (Section 6(3)(ii) RTI Act). In either situation, the public authority that received the application must transfer the whole application, or the appropriate part of it, to that other public authority and inform the applicant immediately about the transfer. Under the proviso to Section 6(3) RTI Act, the receiving public authority must make this transfer as soon as feasible, and in no case later than 5 days from the date it receives the application.
When Section 6 RTI Act Applies
- Make the request in writing or through electronic means in English, Hindi, or the official language of the area where the application is made (Section 6(1) RTI Act).
- Specify the particulars of the information sought and include the fee as may be prescribed (Section 6(1) RTI Act).
- Submit the request to the Central or State Public Information Officer of the concerned public authority, or to a Central or State Assistant Public Information Officer (Section 6(1)(a) and Section 6(1)(b) RTI Act).
- Provide only contact details, as the applicant cannot be required to state any reason or extra personal details (Section 6(2) RTI Act).
- Where another public authority holds the information or has functions more closely connected with its subject matter, the receiving public authority must transfer the application (or the appropriate part) as soon as feasible and no later than 5 days from receipt, and inform the applicant immediately (Section 6(3) RTI Act).
Example of Section 6 RTI Act
When Section 6 RTI Act Does Not Apply
- A person who cannot make a request in writing is not barred from applying; under the proviso to Section 6(1) RTI Act, the Central or State Public Information Officer must give all reasonable assistance to put an oral request into writing.
- The duty to give details in an application does not cover reasons or extra personal data; under Section 6(2) RTI Act, an applicant cannot be required to give any reason for requesting the information or any personal details beyond those needed to contact the applicant.
FAQs on Section 6 RTI Act
What is Section 6 RTI Act?▼
Section 6 RTI Act sets out how a person makes a request to obtain information from a public authority in writing or through electronic means, accompanied by the prescribed fee. Section 6 RTI Act also states that the applicant need not give any reason for the request and requires a public authority to transfer an application belonging to another public authority within 5 days.
Does an applicant have to give a reason for filing an RTI request under Section 6 RTI Act?▼
No. Under Section 6(2) RTI Act, an applicant making a request for information cannot be required to give any reason for requesting the information. The applicant only needs to provide the personal details necessary for contacting the applicant.
Can a person who cannot write still make a request under Section 6 RTI Act?▼
Yes. Under the proviso to Section 6(1) RTI Act, where a request cannot be made in writing, the person may make the request orally to the Central or State Public Information Officer. That officer must give all reasonable assistance to reduce the oral request into writing.
In which languages can an application be filed under Section 6 RTI Act?▼
English, Hindi, or the local official language. Section 6(1) RTI Act allows a person to make the request in English, Hindi, or the official language of the area in which the application is being made.
Within how many days must a public authority transfer an RTI application sent to the wrong authority under Section 6 RTI Act?▼
5 days. Under Section 6(3) RTI Act and its proviso, if another public authority holds the information or has functions more closely connected with its subject matter, the receiving public authority must transfer the application (or the appropriate part) as soon as feasible and no later than 5 days from receiving the application, and inform the applicant immediately.
Can an RTI request under Section 6 RTI Act be submitted electronically?▼
Yes. Section 6(1) RTI Act allows a person to make a request either in writing or through electronic means, specifying the particulars of the information sought and including the prescribed fee.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Right to Information Act, 2005 ·