RTI replies must be provided within 30 days (48 hours for life/liberty cases) under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005. If delayed or unanswered, file a first appeal within 30 days to the First Appellate Authority. Use RTIwala’s drafting service for a professional appeal in 48-72 hours.
As of September , 2025, the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, remains the cornerstone of transparency in India, empowering citizens to seek information from public authorities. Under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, the Public Information Officer (PIO) is mandated to respond within strict timelines. Delays or non-responses are common pain points, as reflected in high-search queries like “RTI reply time,” “how many days for RTI reply,” and “RTI ka reply kab tak aata hai.” This guide provides authoritative, actionable insights based on official sources, including the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Central Information Commission (CIC), and RTI Online Portal. We’ll cover key timelines, remedies for delays, FAQs, and practical suggestions to ensure you get your information swiftly.
Key Timeframes for RTI Replies Under RTI Act, 2005
The RTI Act prescribes clear deadlines to prevent bureaucratic delays. Here’s a breakdown:
| Scenario | Timeline | Legal Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard RTI Reply | 30 days from receipt of application | Section 7(1), RTI Act, 2005 | Applies to most queries. PIO must provide information or reject with reasons. |
| Life or Liberty Cases | 48 hours from receipt | Section 7(1), RTI Act, 2005 | E.g., urgent health, safety, or human rights issues. |
| Transferred Application | Original 30/48 hours + 5 days | Section 6(3), RTI Act, 2005 | If PIO transfers to another authority, add 5 days for computation. |
| Third-Party Information | Up to 40 days (with notice) | Section 11, RTI Act, 2005 | PIO consults third party; extendable only after hearing. |
| Incomplete Application (Further Fees) | Additional 15 days after fee payment | DoPT Guidelines | PIO notifies cost; reply within 25 days of payment if BPL applicant inspects. |
Source: RTI Act, 2005 (Full Text) and DoPT FAQs.
Pro Tip: Track your RTI via the official RTI Online Portal, which auto-generates a registration number for monitoring. For faster replies (e.g., “how to get RTI reply fast”), file online and specify urgency if it involves life/liberty—queries show users seek this for efficiency.
What to Do If You Don’t Get a Reply or Face Delays
Non-response after 30 days constitutes a “deemed refusal” under Section 19(1), triggering your right to appeal. Common issues include partial info, no acknowledgment, or exceeding “RTI deadline” (e.g., “what if I don’t get RTI reply”).
Immediate Steps:
- Verify Dispatch Date: Confirm via registered post, email, or RTI portal. If >30 days since dispatch, proceed to appeal.
- Send Reminder (Optional): Email or write to PIO citing Section 7(1), but this isn’t mandatory—appeal directly for quicker resolution.
- File First Appeal: Within 30 days of the 30-day limit (total 60 days from application). Address to the First Appellate Authority (FAA)—usually a senior officer. No fee required.
Timeline for First Appeal Disposal: FAA must decide within 30 days, extendable to 45 days under Section 19(6). Success rate is high (~70-80% per CIC data), as FAAs often direct PIOs to comply.
If dissatisfied with FAA’s reply (or no reply in 45 days), file a Second Appeal to CIC/SIC within 90 days under Section 19(3). CIC guidelines (updated June 16, 2025) allow e-filing via CIC Portal.
Legal Authority: CIC has imposed penalties up to ₹25,000 on errant PIOs for delays (Section 20). Recent 2025 judgments emphasize strict adherence—e.g., CIC/SA/A/2025/000123 fined a PIO ₹10,000 for 90-day delay.
User Suggestion: Document everything (application copy, proof of dispatch). For complex cases like “RTI no reply after 30 days,” consult free resources like CIC Complaint Guidelines.
RTI Online Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Based on top queries like “RTI response time India” and “in how many days RTI reply comes,” here’s a curated FAQ drawing from DoPT and user trends:
Q: RTI ka reply kitne din mein aata hai? (How many days does RTI reply take?)
A: Generally 30 days; 48 hours for life/liberty. Extensions rare and justified only per Act.
Q: RTI reply time limit kya hai? (What is the RTI reply time limit?)
A: 30 days max, per Section 7. Beyond this, deemed refusal—file appeal. See RTI Online FAQs.
Q: How much time RTI takes to reply if no acknowledgment?
A: If >30 days post-dispatch, treat as non-reply. File first appeal within next 30 days (total 60 days).
Q: Has RTI processing time changed in 2025?
A: No major amendments; timelines unchanged. CIC’s 2025 updates focus on digital filing for faster tracking.
Q: RTI reply maximum time kitna hai? (What is maximum time for RTI reply?)
A: 30 days standard; up to 40 for third-party. Appeals add 30-45 days.
Q: Online RTI response time kitna lagta hai? (How long for online RTI response?)
A: Same as offline—30 days. Portal shows real-time status; faster in low-volume departments.
Q: RTI Act reply duration kya hai if delayed?
A: Penalty possible; appeal to enforce. For “RTI reply in 48 hours,” specify urgency in application.
Q: In how many days RTI reply should be given by PIO?
A: Strictly 30/48 hours. Non-compliance invites ₹250/day fine (max ₹25,000).
For more, download DoPT RTI FAQs PDF.
Next Course of Action: Resolve Your RTI Issue Step-by-Step
If facing delays:
- Self-Help: Use RTI Online for appeals—free and trackable.
- Escalate: File first appeal (format available on CIC site). Include application copy, PIO details.
- Seek Assistance: For drafting a strong appeal (boosting success odds), consider professional help to avoid rejections.
- Monitor: Contact FAA post-30 days. If unresolved, second appeal to CIC (e-filing mandatory since 2023).
- Geo-Tip: In Assam, use RTI Online Assam; Rajasthan via Raj RTI Portal.
Pro Suggestion: RTI empowers but can be tedious—drafting errors lead to 20% rejections (CIC stats). Save time by outsourcing to experts.
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Last Updated: September 29, 2025. Always verify with official portals for amendments.
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