Before you file, see whether the information is already out there. Under section 4 of the Act every public authority has to publish a great deal of its own accord, and past RTI replies are public once they have been released.

Describe what you want and RTI Mitra looks first. If it is already published you have it in seconds, and you pay nothing.

Your request has to go to the body that actually holds the records. This portal reaches Central Government public authorities only — 2,581 of them, grouped under 94 ministries and departments.

Land records, ration cards, police stations, electricity, municipal services and State schools belong to State departments, and go to your State's own RTI portal instead. The fee is ₹10, or nil if you are below the poverty line, and you never have to say why you want the information.

The Central Public Information Officer has 30 days to reply, or 48 hours where life or liberty is at stake. If another authority holds the records, your request must be transferred to them within 5 days. Some records may be withheld under sections 8 and 9.

No reply within 30 days counts as a refusal. You may then appeal to the First Appellate Authority within 30 days, free of charge. They have 45 days to decide, after which a second appeal goes to the Central Information Commission within 90 days.