Time Limits under Right to Information Act 2005

RTI Act Prescribes time limit under which the reply need to be given by Public Information Officer.

• For PIO to reply to application: 30 days from date of receipt of application
• For PIO to transfer to another PA under Sec 6(3): 5 days from date of receipt of application
• For PIO to issue notice to 3rd Party: 5 days from date of receipt of application
• For 3rd Party to make a representation to PIO: 10 days from receipt of notice from PIO
• For PIO to reply to application if 3rdParty involved : 40 days from date of receipt of application
• For applicant to make First Appeal: 30 days from date of receipt of PIO’s reply or from date when reply was to be received
• For First Appellate Authority to pass an order: 30 days from receipt of First Appeal OR Maximum 45 days, if reasons for delay are given in writing
• For applicant to make Second Appeal before CIC/SIC: 90 days from receipt of First Appeal orders or from the date when orders were to be received
• For CIC/SIC to decide Second Appeal: No time limit specified

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Situations for filing First Appeals and prescribed Time Limits

Sl	Situations for filing First Appeal	Time limit for filing First Appeal
1.	PIO did not respond within 30 days from receipt of RTI Application in his office.	After 30 (+7 days for postal transit time) but within 60 days from the date of receipt of RTI Application at PIO’s Office.
2.	RTI Application submitted through APIO but PIO did not respond within 30 days from receipt of RTI Application in PIO’s office.	After 35 (+7 days for postal transit time) but within 60 days from the date of receipt of RTI Application at PIO’s Office.
3.	RTI Application transferred by the original public authority to another public authority (PIO) but transferee PIO did not respond within 30 days from receipt of Application.	After 30 (+7 days for postal transit time) but within 60 days from the date of receipt of RTI Application at transferee PIO’s Office.
4.	PIO issued notice to third party under section-11(1), but not decided the application within 40 days from receipt of application at his office.	After 40 (+7 days for postal transit time) but within 70 days from the date of receipt of RTI Application at PIO’s Office.
5.	PIO's decision under Section-11(3)	Within 30 days from the date of receipt of PIO’s decision.
6.	PIO responded but Applicant is not satisfied with decision of PIO or fee demanded is exorbitant or incorrect, incomplete information is supplied etc.	Within 30 days from the date of receipt of decision of PIO by Applicant.