Table Of Content
Introduction: Can You Really Ask for Someone’s Salary Details Under RTI?
Yes, under the Right to Information Act, 2005, [ rti act ]you can legally request the salary slip or details of government employees, provided it serves a larger public interest. But the process, limitations, and legal provisions around this are often misunderstood.
In this article, we break down everything you need to know about filing RTI for salary-related information of public servants, how it differs for private employees, and how RTIwala can guide you safely and legally.
Is Salary Information Covered Salary Under Details RTI?
YES, if the person is a public servant employed in:
- Central or State Government offices
- PSUs like LIC, BSNL, ONGC, BHEL
- Universities, municipal corporations, police, etc.
The salary, pension, benefits, and arrears paid from public funds are considered non-confidential and must be disclosed under RTI.
Get your / someone salary details under RTI.
Legal Precedents Supporting Salary Disclosure
- Central Information Commission (CIC) rulings have upheld that salaries paid to public servants are not personal info.
- Delhi High Court in Naresh Trehan vs. UOI (2013) ruled that government employee salary details are not exempt from RTI.
However, private employee salary details are considered personal information and exempt under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.
What Salary-Related Info You Can Ask via RTI
Here’s what you can legally request from public authorities:
| Information Type | Disclosable via RTI |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay, HRA, DA, Gross Salary | Yes |
| Pay Slip of a Specific Month | Yes |
| Total Salary Paid in a Financial Year | Yes |
| Salary Structure of a Post | Yes |
| Arrears or Dues Cleared | Yes |
| Deductions Made (Tax, PF, Loan) | Yes |
| Salary Comparison Between Posts | Yes |
| Salary of Private Employees | No (Personal Data) |
Common Use Cases for Filing RTI on Salary Info
- To check if bribes are being masked as salary
- To see if one official is drawing salary from two posts
- To find if arrears or promotions were wrongly implemented
- For pay disparity cases in departments or teaching institutions
- To verify pension delays or benefits for retirees
Sample RTI Queries for Salary Information
- “Please provide the salary slip for the month of March 2025 of Mr. XYZ, working as Assistant Engineer, PWD, Hyderabad Division.”
- “Please provide total gross salary paid to all officers of rank Executive Engineer and above in the Health Department during FY 2024–25.”
- “Please provide pay structure and grade pay of the post of Junior Clerk as on April 1, 2023.”
Want professionally drafted RTIs? Use RTIwala Custom Drafting.
How to File RTI Online for Salary-Related Information
When it comes to requesting salary-related information—such as your own salary details, pay slips, increment orders, arrears, pending dues, or service book entries—there are multiple ways to file an RTI. But not all methods offer safety, accuracy, or a guaranteed response.
Below are the three ways you can file—starting with the most effective and trusted option.
✅ 1. File Online RTI Through RTIwala (Most Recommended)
If you want a safe, accurate, and high-success RTI filing experience, RTIwala is the best option. Here’s why thousands of employees prefer RTIwala:
- Anonymous RTI Filing Supported:
You can file without revealing your personal identity. RTIwala handles privacy completely. - Filed Under RTIwala’s Legal Experts:
Applications go under the name of RTIwala’s legal experts/advocate, which naturally increases the chances of receiving a proper response from government offices. - Professional Drafting Done for You:
RTIwala prepares a legally strong draft tailored to your salary-related issue—no templates, fully custom. - Complete End-to-End Support:
From drafting → filing → follow-up → replies → first appeal guidance,
RTIwala handles everything so you don’t have to worry. - Faster Response, Fewer Rejections:
Because RTIwala drafts are precise and within RTI rules, your application is less likely to be rejected for “vague” or “voluminous” queries. - Direct WhatsApp Support:
Need help instantly? Message on WhatsApp: +91-7999-50-6996
👉 This is the most reliable way, especially when dealing with sensitive matters like salary disputes, delayed payments, or missing service records.
2. File RTI Yourself Using the Government RTI Portal
You can also file your RTI application through the official RTI Online Portal (https://rtionline.gov.in/). It is a government-run service and works well if you already have legal knowledge and understand the exact structure of drafting an RTI related to salary, arrears, pay-fixation, increment, service book, or other service matters.
However, before choosing this method, you must be aware of the common challenges users face.
Why Most Applicants Struggle on the Government Portal
Many first-time users face problems such as:
- Legally incorrect draft
Small mistakes in wording (e.g., “why” questions, personal opinions, or open-ended queries) lead to rejection under Section 2(f). - Wrong or weak drafting → delayed or no response
Government PIOs respond strictly based on how precise and lawful your query is. - No help if information is denied
If the PIO rejects your RTI or claims the information is “not available,” “third-party,” or “voluminous,” there is no support or guidance. - No follow-up, reminders, or escalation
The portal does not track delays, does not assist with First Appeals, and does not guide you on the next legal steps. - Many departments still DO NOT accept salary-related RTIs online
Some state government departments have not enabled the online option. You must identify the exact public authority manually—something most people get wrong.
2. Step-by-Step Guide to File Salary-Related RTI Yourself on the Government Portal
If you still want to use the official portal, here is the complete process:
Step 1: Visit the official RTI portal
Go to https://rtionline.gov.in and click on
“Submit Request → I have read the guidelines.”
Step 2: Select the correct Ministry/Department
This is the most crucial part.
You must select the exact department that handles:
- Salary slips
- Pay fixation
- Service book
- Leave records
- Promotions
- Pension details
If the wrong authority is selected, your RTI may be transferred, causing delays of 15–30 days, or it may be outright rejected.
Step 3: Enter your personal details
Fill in:
- Name
- Address
- Contact number
- Email ID
- Citizenship (Indian)
Ensure all details match your government ID.
Step 4: Draft your RTI application
This is where most applicants get stuck.
Your draft must:
- Follow Section 2(f) correctly
- Avoid open-ended questions
- Request only available records/documents
- Use crisp, formal language
- Be within 150-word limit (portal restriction)
If the draft is even slightly incorrect, the PIO may easily reject your request.
Step 5: Attach supporting documents (optional)
If you have:
- Salary slip
- Employee ID
- Office order
- Appointment letter
You may attach these for clarity (PDF only).
Step 6: Pay the RTI fee
Pay Fee using:
- Debit card
- Net banking
- UPI (in many departments)
But note: Some departments charge extra fees later, and you must track and respond on your own.
Step 7: Submit and track your application
After submission:
- You receive a registration number
- You must manually track the status
- No automatic alerts or reminders are provided
- No help is offered if PIO delays or refuses information
If you miss deadlines, you may lose the chance to file a First Appeal.
⚠️ 3. File RTI Offline by Post (Slowest & Least Efficient)
You may send an RTI via speed post along with a ₹10 IPO.
Limitations:
- Takes 10–15 days to reach the office
- Tracking is difficult
- High rejection rate if the draft is unclear
- Follow-up becomes extremely challenging
- No expert support
Use this only if online options are unavailable.
When Salary Info Can Be Denied
Salary info may be denied if:
- The employee is not a public servant
- The info involves private companies or contractors
- The request lacks public interest
- Seeks personal info beyond salary (e.g., family, account number)
RTIwala legal team ensures you don’t cross legal limits while drafting.
What to Do If Your RTI Gets No Response or Wrong Information
Many people file RTI applications on their own—through the government portal or by post—but end up facing problems like:
- No response even after 30 days
- Incomplete or incorrect information
- “Visit office and collect information” type replies
- PIO rejects your RTI due to drafting issues
- Your department does not accept online RTI
- They demand unnecessary extra fees
If any of this has happened to you, don’t worry. You still have powerful options that can help you get the correct information legally.
Here are your next steps:
1. File a First Appeal with RTIwala (Highly Effective)
If you didn’t get a reply or received an incorrect/partial reply, the law allows you to file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act.
RTIwala can prepare and file your First Appeal professionally.
You get:
- A legally strong First Appeal drafted by experts
- Arguments referencing the RTI Act to challenge the PIO
- Higher chances of the FAA ordering the PIO to provide information
- Proper formatting, timelines, and legal reasoning
- Guidance on what to do if FAA also fails
A strong First Appeal often forces departments to take your case seriously.
2. File a Fresh RTI Through RTIwala (If Your Previous Draft Was Weak)
If your RTI was rejected due to:
- Wrong format
- Too many queries
- Vague wording
- Missing details
- Wrong PIO selection
…then filing a fresh RTI through RTIwala is the best solution.
RTIwala files the RTI from its own legal team’s name or on your behalf, which gives multiple advantages:
- Higher response probability
- Strong English drafting
- Precise queries that force the PIO to answer
- Tracking + follow-ups handled for you
- Option to file Anonymous RTI safely
- No need for you to handle any paperwork
This is ideal when your earlier RTI was ignored or rejected.
⭐ Why Users Trust RTIwala for Second Attempts & First Appeals
- Professional, legally correct drafting
- 100% online, no government visits required
- Anonymous RTI option for sensitive issues
- English-language legal drafts
- Filing, follow-up, reply guidance—everything done by RTIwala
- Team with experience of processing thousands of RTIs and Appeals
Most users who come after a failed RTI finally get proper information through RTIwala’s corrected drafting.
📞 Need Help Right Now?
Message us on WhatsApp at:
👉 +91-7999-50-6996
Why RTIwala Is the Safest Route
- 100% legally compliant RTIs
- Anonymous RTI Option
- Custom Drafting under 25 words
- Follow-up, Appeals, and Reminders
- Expert Consultation with legal advisors
- RTI Products and Pricing Plans
Summary: What You Can and Can’t Ask
You CAN ask for:
- Salary slips
- Pay structure
- Arrears and benefits
You CANNOT ask for:
- Private employee data
- Bank account details
- Family or personal records
Final Thoughts: Use RTI Responsibly and Effectively
The Right to Information gives you power—but it must be used with responsibility. If you suspect misuse of public funds, salary irregularities, or discrimination in pay structure—RTI is your legal tool for transparency.
RTIwala makes the process fast, affordable, and legally sound.
Don’t stay in the dark. File RTI online now and get the salary information you are legally entitled to.
Need help right now? 📞 +91-7999-50-6996
🔗 Visit: RTIwala.com now!
