AI Overview...
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Definition of 'Information' - Under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, 'information' primarily includes recorded material available in the records of a public authority. It explicitly excludes requests for explanations, opinions, advice, interpretations, or inferences, which are considered non-factual and thus outside the scope of 'information' C. D. Hans vs State Bank of India - Central Information Commission, Sumanth vs Department of Financial Services - Central Information Commission, Priya Chowdhary vs Canara Bank - Central Information Commission, Aradhana Gupta vs CPIO: Bank of India, Chandigarh - Central Information Commission, Pawan Bhimsaria vs Union Bank of India - Central Information Commission, Anjani Kumar vs State Bank of India - Central Information Commission, Nitin Kushwaha vs CPIO: Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi University - Central Information Commission, JASWANT SINGH vs Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan - Central Information Commission.
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Exclusions from 'Information' - Clarification requests, explanations, opinions, or interpretative queries are generally not classified as 'information' under the RTI Act. The courts and the Central Information Commission (CIC) have consistently upheld that such requests do not fall within the statutory definition, which is limited to factual data available in records Sumanth vs Department of Financial Services - Central Information Commission, Priya Chowdhary vs Canara Bank - Central Information Commission, Aradhana Gupta vs CPIO: Bank of India, Chandigarh - Central Information Commission, Anjani Kumar vs State Bank of India - Central Information Commission.
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Privacy and Personal Information - Information pertaining to personal privacy, such as names or other personal details, can be exempted from disclosure under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, especially when its disclosure would violate privacy rights or confidentiality Rinku Verma vs PIO, Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. - Central Information Commission.
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Court and CIC Findings - Courts and CIC have frequently observed that requests seeking explanations, opinions, or interpretative clarifications are outside the scope of 'information' as defined. When such requests are made, authorities are justified in denying access, emphasizing the limited scope of factual records Priya Chowdhary vs Canara Bank - Central Information Commission, JASWANT SINGH vs Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan - Central Information Commission.
Analysis and Conclusion:
The consistent judicial and CIC rulings clarify that 'information' under the RTI Act is confined to recorded factual data available in the records of a public authority. Requests for explanations, opinions, interpretations, or clarifications are generally excluded from this definition. Therefore, RTI applications seeking such non-factual information are likely to be rejected, affirming the Act's focus on transparency through factual record disclosure rather than interpretative or subjective material.
Search Results for "Information Definition"
2024 Supreme(Online)(CIC) 215 • India - Central Information Commission
ANANDI RAMALINGAM, J
(Paras 1-8) ... ... (B) Information Definition - The definition of 'information' under Section ... ' definition - Appeal dismissed. ... (A) Right to Information Act, 2005 - Section 2(f) - RTI application seeking premature payment information - CPIO's response indicated ... The reference to ‘opinion’ or ‘advice’ in the definition of ‘information’ in section 2(f) of the Act, only refers to such material available in the records of the public authorit....
2024 Supreme(Online)(CIC) 273 • India - Central Information Commission
ANANDI RAMALINGAM, J
of information - The definition excludes requests for explanations or interpretations, emphasizing the need for factual information ... The CPIO responded that the queries were not covered under the RTI Act's definition of information. ... of 'information' under the RTI Act. ... DOFSR/R/E/21/00606 dated 22.4.2021 received under RTI Act, 2005 and to say that the Queries seeking explanation / reasons/ clarification / interpretation/ opinions/ drawing of inferences are not covered within ....
2024 Supreme(Online)(CIC) 5311 • India - Central Information Commission
ANANDI RAMALINGAM, J
... ... Issues: The main issue was whether the information sought by the appellant fell within the definition of 'information' under ... stating it does not fall under the definition of 'information' - FAA upheld CPIO's decision - Commission found denial incorrect ... (Paras 2, 6, 7) ... ... (B) Right to Information - Definition of information - ... The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that that the queries raised by the appellant were no....
2025 Supreme(Online)(CIC) 3138 • India - Central Information Commission
Anandi Ramalingam, IC
The court observed that clarifications sought did not fall under the information definition as per Section 2(f). ... The CPIO provided responses based on exemptions under Section 8(1)(e) and (j) citing personal and confidential information pertaining ... The reference to ‘opinion’ or ‘advice’ in the definition of ‘information’ in section 2(f) of the Act, only refers to such material available in the records of the public authority. ... The Commission notes that on points no. 3 and 6, the appellant has s....
2025 Supreme(Online)(CIC) 2007 • India - Central Information Commission
ANANDI RAMALINGAM, J
fell under the definition of 'information' in the RTI Act. ... which did not meet the RTI Act's definition, justified the denial of information. ... (Paras 2, 7, 8) ... ... (B) Information Definition - Under Section 2(f), information ... do not fall within the definition of “information” as defined under section 2 (f) of the RTI Act. ... The reference to ‘opinion’ or ‘advice’ in the definition of ‘infor....
2024 Supreme(Online)(CIC) 4 • India - Central Information Commission
ANANDI RAMALINGAM, J
(Paras 1-7) ... ... (B) Information Definition - The Commission observed that the reasons sought ... were not covered under the definition of 'information' as per the RTI Act, but the CPIO acted in good faith by providing relevant ... of information. ... Prima facie the reasons sought in the RTI application were not squarely covered within the definition of “information” under Section 2 (f) of the RTI Act. However, the respondent addressed the queries by providing t....
2025 Supreme(Online)(CIC) 2587 • India - Central Information Commission
Anandi Ramalingam, IC
information and the definition of information under RTI Act. ... (Paras 7 and 8) ... ... (B) Information and its Definition - The definition of information does ... did not meet the RTI definition of information. ... The reference to ‘opinion’ or ‘advice’ in the definition of ‘information’ in section 2(f) of the Act, only refers to such material available in the records of the public authority.…....
2025 Supreme(Online)(CIC) 2415 • India - Central Information Commission
Vinod Kumar Tiwari, IC
(Paras 11, 12, 13) ... ... (B) Personal Information - Definition and Protection ... (A) Right to Information Act, 2005 - Section 8(1)(j) - Request for disclosure of personal information - Appellant sought names and ... rejected under government welfare schemes, which was declined by CPIO citing privacy exemptions - Commission affirms that such information ... Exemption from disclosure of information. ... of the privacy of the individual unless the Central Public Information Officer o....
2021 Supreme(Online)(CIC) 5321 • India - Central Information Commission
Central Information Commission, CJ
(Paras 1-10) ... ... (B) Information Definition - The term 'information' under Section 2(f) does ... issued by CBDT, and repercussions of their non-compliance - CPIO denied the request stating it falls outside the definition of information ... ... ... Findings of Court: ... CPIO is not required to provide created information nor to interpret the existing information, and ... Since the information sought by the applicant are in the nature of seek....
2024 Supreme(Online)(CIC) 3039 • India - Central Information Commission
ANANDI RAMALINGAM, J
The CPIO denied the request, stating the queries were not covered under the definition of 'information' as per the Act. ... (Paras 1-3) ... ... (B) Information Definition - The court emphasized that clarification requests ... of 'information' under the RTI Act. ... The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that through queries raised in the RTI application the appellant was seeking clarification, which were not covered within the definition of “informat....
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