how to get the exemption detials

Good question — §8 of the RTI Act lists 10 specific grounds where a PIO is allowed to refuse, and in practice §8(1)(j) (personal information) is the one most abused.

The full plain-language walkthrough with each clause + how to challenge wrongful refusals is here: - https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-act-section-8-exemptions - https://righttoinformation.wiki/section-8-public-interest-override

Key practical tip: even when §8 applies, the PIO must apply the larger public interest test in §8(2). A bare "exempted u/s 8" without reasoning is a defective reply and grounds for a First Appeal.

For the longer treatment with leading CIC + High Court orders, see Chapter 4 of The RTI Playbook — it's our citizen-facing book, free to read online.

Bookmarking this. The §8(1)(j) misuse is the single biggest issue I've seen with municipal PIOs too — they refuse contractor details citing 'personal info'. CIC has consistently overruled it when public money is involved.

Just to add — even within §8, if 20 years have passed since the event, §8(3) compels disclosure (except for §8(1)(a)). Many PIOs simply ignore this clause. Worth quoting it explicitly in your application.

Shrawan ji, would love a separate explainer on §8(1)(d) — 'commercial confidence, trade secrets'. PSU contracts are routinely refused under it and I find it the hardest to crack.

Good question — §8 of the RTI Act lists 10 specific grounds where a PIO is allowed to refuse, and in practice §8(1)(j) (personal information) is the one most abused.

The full plain-language walkthrough with each clause + how to challenge wrongful refusals is here: - https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-act-section-8-exemptions - https://righttoinformation.wiki/section-8-public-interest-override

Key practical tip: even when §8 applies, the PIO must apply the larger public interest test in §8(2). A bare "exempted u/s 8" without reasoning is a defective reply and grounds for a First Appeal.

For the longer treatment with leading CIC + High Court orders, see Chapter 4 of The RTI Playbook — it's our citizen-facing book, free to read online.

Bookmarking this. The §8(1)(j) misuse is the single biggest issue I've seen with municipal PIOs too — they refuse contractor details citing 'personal info'. CIC has consistently overruled it when public money is involved.

Just to add — even within §8, if 20 years have passed since the event, §8(3) compels disclosure (except for §8(1)(a)). Many PIOs simply ignore this clause. Worth quoting it explicitly in your application.

Shrawan ji, would love a separate explainer on §8(1)(d) — 'commercial confidence, trade secrets'. PSU contracts are routinely refused under it and I find it the hardest to crack.