Find a Lawyer · RTI
How to Find a Lawyer for An RTI First Appeal And Second Appeal in India
The appeal stage is where a Right to Information request is won or lost. A first appeal to a senior officer in the same public authority, and a second appeal to the information commission, are where good framing and the right forum matter most. This guide shows you the process for both appeals, the documents you need, realistic fees, and how to find and verify the right lawyer for your RTI first appeal and second appeal.
- First appeal: to the First Appellate Authority, within 30 days of the RTI reply; decided in about 30 to 45 days.
- Second appeal: to the CIC (central) or State Information Commission, within 90 days of the First Appellate Authority order.
- Do it yourself: the first appeal is often doable alone; a contested second appeal is where a lawyer helps.
- Fees: no fixed nationwide fee; appeal work is usually modest; confirm in writing.
- Free help: NALSA and the District Legal Services Authority for those who qualify.
- Verify: confirm Bar Council enrolment under the Advocates Act, 1961.
01The honest answer first
You can file both a first appeal and a second appeal yourself, because the right to information process is built for citizens. Many people win at the first appeal without a lawyer. You should think about hiring one when the public authority keeps refusing, when a wrong exemption is being used, or when your second appeal before the information commission needs to be argued well. So: try the first appeal yourself if your matter is simple, and get a lawyer for a contested second appeal.
Not legal advice
This is general information, not legal advice on your RTI appeals. The advocate you choose will advise on your own facts.
02How the two appeals actually work
First appeal
If your RTI reply is late, incomplete, or wrongly refuses information, you file a first appeal to the First Appellate Authority, a senior officer in the same public authority. You must file it within 30 days of receiving the reply, or of the deadline passing. The First Appellate Authority is expected to decide within about 30 days, extendable to 45 days with reasons. No special form or fee is usually required for a first appeal, just a clear letter stating what was wrong with the RTI reply.
Second appeal
If the first appeal fails, you file a second appeal to the information commission within 90 days of the First Appellate Authority order. This is the Central Information Commission (CIC) for central public authorities, or your State Information Commission for state bodies. The commission can order disclosure and can impose a penalty on a public information officer who refused without reasonable cause.
Get the forum right: the second appeal goes to the CIC for central bodies and to the State Information Commission for state bodies.
03Documents you need
- Your original RTI application and proof of filing.
- The full RTI reply, with the date you received it.
- Your first appeal and any acknowledgement, for the second appeal stage.
- The First Appellate Authority order, or proof it was not passed in time.
- A one-page timeline of all dates.
For a full checklist, see documents you need before meeting an RTI lawyer.
04What it costs and free options
There is no single government-fixed nationwide fee for an advocate. Appeal work is often modest compared with other litigation.
| Stage | Typical fee range (confirm with the lawyer) |
|---|---|
| Drafting a first appeal | Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 |
| Second appeal before the information commission | Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 and up |
| Writ petition in the High Court | Rs 20,000 to Rs 75,000 and up |
These are rough ranges only and vary by city, seniority and complexity. If you cannot afford a private lawyer, free legal aid is available under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 through NALSA and the District and State Legal Services Authorities for those who qualify. A Lok Adalat is a settlement forum and is not the route for an RTI appeal.
05How to find and verify the right lawyer
You want a lawyer who has actually argued RTI appeals, not just filed applications. Keep three ideas separate: being listed on a website, being verified by a platform, and being legally entitled to practise are not the same. Every practising advocate must be enrolled with a State Bar Council under the Advocates Act, 1961 (notably Section 22). Ask for the enrolment number and confirm it with the relevant State Bar Council. Then ask:
- How many first appeal and second appeal matters have you argued before the CIC or a State Information Commission?
- Looking at my RTI reply, what is the strongest ground?
- What is your fee for each stage, in writing?
06How Claw helps you find the right lawyer
Claw is an all-in-one legaltech platform for Indian advocates, law firms, and corporate legal teams, combining AI-based case search, an AI legal assistant (Legal GPT), case management, and compliance automation across all Indian courts and tribunals.
That same verification and matching technology powers Claw Find a Lawyer, a separate service for members of the public. For your right to information first appeal or second appeal, you describe the problem in a short guided chat, and Claw connects you with a verified, independent advocate who handles RTI work, in your state or city where possible, for an online or in-person consultation. Claw does not hire, employ or empanel lawyers and is not a law firm. The advocate is independent and practises on their own.
There are two ways to start: a free basic request, or a Rs 99 priority request for faster, prioritised matching. The advocate's professional fee is paid directly to the advocate. Claw is a technology platform that helps you find and reach the right lawyer; it does not share the advocate's fee, in line with Bar Council of India Rule 36, it is not your advocate, and it does not give legal advice. You can begin at Claw Find a Lawyer.
07Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer for an RTI first appeal?
Often not. A first appeal is a clear letter to a senior officer in the same public authority explaining what was wrong with the RTI reply, and many people handle it themselves. A lawyer helps when the refusal is stubborn or a wrong exemption is being used.
Where does the RTI second appeal go?
To the information commission: the Central Information Commission for central public authorities, or your State Information Commission for state bodies. You must file within 90 days of the First Appellate Authority order.
What are the deadlines for the two appeals?
A first appeal must be filed within 30 days of the RTI reply, or of the deadline passing. A second appeal must be filed within 90 days of the First Appellate Authority order. Missing these windows can cost you the matter.
How much does a lawyer charge for RTI appeals?
There is no fixed nationwide fee. Drafting a first appeal is usually modest, while a second appeal before the information commission costs more because of the hearing. Always get a written estimate per stage, and remember government fees are separate.
How do I check the lawyer is genuine?
Ask for the enrolment number and confirm it with the State Bar Council. Every practising advocate must be enrolled under the Advocates Act, 1961. Being listed or even verified on a platform is not the same as being legally entitled to practise.