RTI stands for Right to Information. The Right to Information Act, 2005 came into force on the 12th October, 2005, providing a machinery or a process to exercise the fundamental right to information.

Only a citizen of India can seek information. A non-citizen cannot.

Yes, the Act extends to the whole of India.

Information means any material in any form including records, documents, memos, emails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts,reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any Electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force.

It includes the right to:

• Inspect works, documents, records;
• Take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records;
• Take certified samples of material; and
• Obtain information in form of printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes

or in any other electronic mode or through printouts.

Public Information Officer (PIO) of the specific Public Authority will provide the information

It means any authority or body or institution of self-government established or constituted:

by any other law made by Parliament;

• by any other law made by State Legislature;
• by notification issued or order made by the appropriate Government and includes

any –

• body owned, controlled or substantially financed;
• non-Government organization substantially financed directly or indirectly by the appropriate Government.