MY FIRST RTI: HOW TO FILE RTI TO SEE YOUR ANSWER SHEET FOR THE EXAM

Back in my student days at the Faculty of Law, Delhi University, I had one of those classic “law school moments.” After my first-year results were declared, I found myself dissatisfied with the marks I received in a particular subject. Naturally, like any indignant law student armed with half-baked legal knowledge and a full dose of self-righteousness, I decided I must see my answer sheet. The idea was simple: if I knew where I went wrong, I could avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future. The only problem? I had absolutely no clue how to go about it.

At that point, I was in my second year, which means I was just smart enough to know about the Right to Information Act, 2005, but not smart enough to know how to actually file an RTI. In short, I was in that sweet spot of overconfidence mixed with ignorance that every law student visits at least once. Like most of my peers, I turned to my first legal advisor—Google. After some frantic searching and shameless pestering of friends who were equally clueless, I managed to cobble together enough information to finally file an RTI application.

That little experiment taught me two things. First, filing an RTI is not rocket science—it’s a straightforward process once you know the steps. Second, the sense of power you get when you file your very first RTI as a law student is strangely satisfying (almost like drafting your first bail application, except with less drama).

In this article, therefore, I will walk you through the process of filing an RTI to access your answer sheet—without you having to beg your seniors, bribe the photocopy guy, or spend three nights scrolling random forums. With just the guidance here and a bit of initiative, you’ll be able to do it yourself. And who knows, maybe the RTI you file today will be the first spark in your journey toward becoming that fearless advocate who files PILs tomorrow.

Let's start the procedure, first you need to visit the link below,

STEP 1.
Click here => https://rtionline.gov.in/index.php

Now you have to Click on "Click here for Submit request" button on above link, after clicking you will be directed to page where you can read rules regarding filing RTI and after reading those rules you can Tick on" I have read and understood the above guidelines." then Click on Submit Button.

STEP 2.

Next page you will see with title, " Online RTI request form" on this page you have to fill all details and most important is to select correct 'Ministry/Department' and then correct 'public authority '.

If you are Delhi University student then select 'Department of Higher Education' then select public authority in our case ' University of Delhi'. In case you are not Delhi University student then you can use search box on the same page where you have to put your university name and then select it from given list.

For Example : Search with University of Hyderabad then Select it

STEP 3.

After filing all your personal details and just down below you will see "Text for RTI Request application" this is where you have to fill what information you seeking from Authority/ University.

Now this is an example format below, all you have to do modify as per your requirement and paste in the box.

________Sample Format______

To
PIO,
University of Delhi,
New Administrative Block,
Delhi 110007

Subject: Request for Information under the right of Information Act, 2005

Respected Sir/Madam

I am Your Name, a bona fide student of Your College Name of University of Delhi. I have duly appeared in the examination of Semester of Subject with Code for the month of _______, 2021.

Please check the following details,
Exam Roll No. XXXXXXXX
Class Roll No. XXXXXXXX
Current Year : XXXXXXX
Course Name : XXXXXXX
Semester (Seeking Copy) : XXXXXXX
Subject with Code(Seeking Copy) : XXXXXX-XXXXX

I request you to provide me with the following information :

• 1. Certified copy of my answer sheet of SUBJECT (Subject Code : XXXXX) held in Month,2021.

I already paid Rs.10 RTI Fee and also undertake to pay the cost per page. As I am supporting Digital India campaign launched by the Government of India to go paperless, I humbly request you to provide the above information at this email id : xxxxx@gmail.com, if not possible, I will accept hard copy.

Yours faithfully/applicant under RTI act,
Name
Mobile no.
Address:

_________Sample End Here __________
Note : Don't forget to change text as per your details.

STEP 4.

After filing above box you will see Supporting document (only pdf upto 1 MB) now here you have to attached your College ID Scanned in PDF.

Note : PDF size must be less than 1MB.

In case you forget to upload your Supporting Document( College Identity Card) Don't panic you can send them later on email when you received acknowledgement email from your University.

STEP 5.

After filing Security Code you have to Click on Submit Button then you will be directed to payment webpage where you have two options (1) Net Banking and (2) Credit or Debit Card choose as per your convenience. Here you have to Pay Rs.10 as RTI fee.

STEP 6.

Once payment is done, within 30-40 seconds you will be re-directed to webpage where you will get the most important thing on webpage which is " Registration Number ".

Note : Please note down the registration number or take screenshot for future reference, you will need this to check status of your RTI Request.

STEP 7.

ALL DONE. You will get email from university within 10-15days , they may be ask for more information or ask you to pay cost per page for answer sheet. They may also send you speed-post to your address about status of your RTI request.

NOTE: “FREE SPEECH IS THE OXYGEN OF DEMOCRACY.”