Filed an RTI application but received no reply, an incomplete reply, or information you believe does not answer your questions?
You can use the First Appeal mechanism under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
For Central Government public authorities, the official RTI Online portal allows Indian citizens to file the first appeal online. The first appeal is made to the First Appellate Authority (FAA), who is senior to the CPIO within the public authority.
Important: The Central Government RTI Online portal is for Central Government public authorities. It should not be used for State Government authorities, including the Government of NCT Delhi.
When can you file a First Appeal?
A first appeal can generally be filed when:
- You disagree with the CPIO's decision
- You received a response but believe the information provided is insufficient
Section 19(1) of the RTI Act provides for a first appeal where an applicant does not receive a decision within the specified period or is aggrieved by the CPIO/SPIO's decision. (RTI Online)
First check: Has the RTI reply period expired?For a normal RTI request, the CPIO generally has 30 days to provide a response.
The official RTI Online portal specifically states that where an online RTI has not received a reply, the first appeal can be filed after the stipulated 30-day period has elapsed.
So, if you submitted an RTI request recently and 30 days have not yet passed, the online portal may not allow you to file the first appeal.
How long do you have to file the First Appeal?Under Section 19(1), an appeal is generally filed within 30 days from:
- the expiry of the period within which the CPIO should have made a decision, or
- receipt of the CPIO's decision.
The appellate authority can admit a delayed appeal where it is satisfied that there was sufficient cause for the delay. (RTI Online)
So don't unnecessarily wait after receiving an unsatisfactory reply.
What is the First Appellate Authority?The First Appellate Authority (FAA) is an officer senior in rank to the CPIO/SPIO in the concerned public authority.
The FAA reviews the first appeal and can consider whether the information should have been supplied.
A first appeal is therefore different from simply sending another email to the original CPIO.
How to file an RTI First Appeal onlineFor eligible Central Government public authorities, use:
The portal has a dedicated "Submit First Appeal" option.
Step 1 — Keep your original RTI number ready
You will need the registration number of your original RTI application.
The portal also requires the email ID associated with the original application.
Step 2 — Open "Submit First Appeal"
On the RTI Online website, select:
The form asks for your original RTI request registration number and email ID.
Step 3 — Explain why you're appealing
Your appeal should clearly state what happened.
"I filed RTI application No. XXXXX on [date]. The prescribed period has expired and no information has been received."
"The information supplied in response to my RTI application does not address points 2 and 4 of my original application."
Keep the appeal factual and specific.
Step 4 — Refer to the original RTI questions
Don't rewrite your entire RTI application unnecessarily.
Instead, identify the exact issue.
Point 1: Information received — complete.
Point 2: Information not provided.
Point 3: CPIO stated that the information is unavailable.
Then explain what you are seeking from the FAA.
Step 5 — Attach supporting documents if necessary
The online portal provides facilities for submitting the first appeal and associated information. (RTI Online)
Step 6 — Submit the appeal
Review the information before submission.
Save the First Appeal registration number after filing.
It can be important for future tracking and, if necessary, subsequent proceedings.
Is there a fee for the First Appeal?For the Central Government RTI Online portal, no fee is required for filing the first appeal.
This is different from the initial RTI application, for which the applicable application fee may be payable.
How do you track your First Appeal?Use the View Status facility on the official RTI Online portal.
Check RTI / First Appeal Status
The portal allows applicants to check the status/reply of online RTI applications and first appeals.
Keep your registration number and email ID available.
How long does the First Appellate Authority have?The FAA should ordinarily dispose of the appeal within 30 days of receiving it.
In exceptional cases, the period can extend to 45 days, but the authority is required to record reasons in writing for taking longer than 30 days. (DOPT)
Simple timeline
Wait for applicable response period
No reply / unsatisfactory reply
Exceptional case: up to 45 days with reasons recorded
What should you write in the First Appeal?A good first appeal doesn't need to be complicated.
Basic format
Subject: First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act, 2005
Date of original RTI: DD/MM/YYYY
- I submitted the above RTI application on [date].
- [No response was received within the prescribed period / the response received on [date] does not provide the information sought.]
- The following information remains unanswered: [identify specific points].
- I therefore request the First Appellate Authority to consider the appeal and direct appropriate action under the RTI Act.
You don't necessarily need to appeal the entire response.
You can identify the specific unanswered points.
"The response addresses points 1, 2 and 5. However, points 3 and 4 have not been answered."
This makes it easier for the FAA to understand exactly what remains disputed.
What if the CPIO says "information not available"?There is a difference between:
"The information does not exist"
"The information cannot be provided under the RTI Act."
If you believe the response does not adequately address your request, identify that specific issue in your first appeal rather than simply writing "I am not satisfied."
What if information is denied under an RTI exemption?The CPIO may deny information by relying on an exemption under the RTI Act.
If you disagree, identify the particular refusal and explain why you believe the information should be provided.
"The response denies information under Section [X]. I request the First Appellate Authority to review the applicability of the exemption to the information sought."
The FAA can then consider the matter under the RTI framework.
What if the reply is completely unrelated?If the CPIO's response doesn't address your questions, make that the central point of the appeal.
Original RTIResponse receivedPoint 1AnsweredPoint 2Not answeredPoint 3Partial answerPoint 4Information denied
This makes your appeal much clearer.
What if you receive no reply at all?You can file a first appeal after the applicable response period has expired.
The official RTI Online FAQ specifically states that where an online RTI application has not received a CPIO reply, the first appeal can be filed once the 30-day period has elapsed.
"No response has been received to my RTI application within the prescribed period."What happens if the First Appeal is also not resolved?
The RTI Act provides a further Second Appeal mechanism.
For Central Government matters, this generally involves the Central Information Commission (CIC).
The RTI Online portal notes that the CIC has integrated its Second Appeal Filing Portal with the DoPT RTI Online Portal.
The second appeal is a separate stage from the first appeal.
First Appeal vs Second AppealStageWhat you doRTI applicationAsk the CPIO for informationFirst AppealChallenge non-response/refusal/inadequate response before the FAASecond AppealApproach the appropriate Information Commission after the first-appeal stage
Don't jump straight to the second appeal when the first-appeal route is applicable.
Important: Central vs State RTIThis is one of the most important points when filing online.
The RTI Online portal operated by DoPT is for Central Government public authorities. It does not accept RTI applications for State Government public authorities.
For example, if your RTI concerns a State Government department, you should use the applicable State RTI mechanism rather than assuming rtionline.gov.in will work.
The same applies to State-level first appeals.
What if your original RTI was filed offline?The Central RTI Online portal says that an online first appeal can only be filed against an RTI application that was previously filed online through the portal, subject to the portal's stated procedures.
If your original application was submitted physically, follow the applicable first-appeal procedure of the concerned public authority.
What documents should you keep?Create one folder for every RTI.
RTI folder checklist
☐ Payment receipt, if applicable
☐ First Appeal registration number
Keeping everything together makes a later appeal much easier.
Common mistakes to avoid1. Filing before the response period expires
For an online RTI with no response, the portal indicates that the 30-day period must have elapsed before the first appeal can be filed through the system.
2. Saying only "I am not satisfied"
Explain which question wasn't answered and why.
3. Losing the RTI registration number
4. Using the Central portal for State authorities
The DoPT RTI Online portal is for Central Government public authorities.
5. Filing multiple fresh RTIs instead of appealing
If your original RTI wasn't properly answered, consider whether the first appeal is the appropriate mechanism.
6. Making the appeal unnecessarily long
A concise, point-by-point appeal is usually easier to understand.
RTI First Appeal checklistBefore filing
☐ Original RTI registration number
☐ Date reply was received, if any
☐ Identify unanswered/incorrectly addressed points
☐ Confirm applicable authority
Online filing
☐ Enter original RTI registration number
☐ Save First Appeal registration number
After filing
☐ Check whether information has actually been supplied
☐ Consider the next legal remedy if the matter remains unresolved
Quick exampleSuppose you filed an RTI asking a Central Government department:
The department replies only to questions 1 and 2.
Instead of filing a completely new RTI, your first appeal could state:
"The response dated [date] addresses points 1 and 2 but does not provide the information requested under points 3 and 4. I request the First Appellate Authority to examine the matter and provide an appropriate decision under the RTI Act."
This clearly identifies the problem.
Official RTI Online linksRTI Online — Government of India
View RTI / First Appeal Status
The portal is operated as an initiative of the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) and is specifically intended for Central Government public authorities.
NetaSampark checklist
If your RTI reply is late or doesn't answer what you asked:
Check the 30-day period → identify the exact missing information → file First Appeal under Section 19(1) → save the appeal number → track the FAA decision → consider the second-appeal route if the matter remains unresolved.
And remember: RTI Online is a Central Government portal. For State Government authorities, use the relevant State RTI system instead.
RTI procedures can vary depending on the public authority and whether the matter falls under the Central or State Government. Check the applicable official portal and current RTI rules before filing.