How to File an RTI Application for a Passport?
- Author :
- TATA AIG Team
- ●
- Last Updated On :
- 27/09/2023
The Right to Information Act of 2005 enables the Indian citizens to request a disclosure of information. This can be done by either writing to or requesting the online release of information from the Chief Public Information Office (CPV Division, Ministry of External Affairs). Citizens can therefore access the information that falls under the purview of an individual’s right to knowledge.
Similarly, RTI meaning in passport is when an individual can file an RTI application if they haven’t received their passport in time or for other pressing reasons. Considering how the passport is an essential travel document verifying your identity in a foreign country, it is prudent to secure your passport with comprehensive travel insurance.
Now that we have learned RTI meaning in passport, let’s understand the formalities associated with RTI passport essentials.
Offline and Online Process to File RTI Passport Application
To obtain any important travel document, be it a passport or travel insurance plan, an individual must be aware of the process that needs to be followed. This ensures a seamless experience. When it comes to filing an RTI application for a passport, there are two ways an individual can go about it. They can either choose the offline procedure for RTI passport application or opt for the convenience of the online one. Let’s understand how each of these works.
- Offline Process to File RTI Passport Application
For the offline process, an individual is expected to submit a passport RTI application form in a specific format to the Chief Public Information Officer (CPIO). The application form must include details such as the name of the applicant, current residential address, and other relevant details.
- Online Process to File RTI Passport Application
Individuals can also prefer to fill out the passport RTI application form online. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do that:
- Step 1: Visit the official RTI website and get yourself registered. Once you have registered, you can log in to the website using your login ID and password.
- Step 2: Choose the Ministry and Public Authority to whom you wish to send your application by filling out all the necessary details, such as your name, address, contact information, etc.
- Step 3: The application has a 3000-character limit and if your text exceeds this, you can simply attach it as a “Supporting Document.” This attachment, however, must be in a PDF format and should not be more than 1 MB in size. If all these formalities are met, you can click on the “Submit” button.
- Step 4: You will then be expected to pay the necessary fees and once you complete the payment, the process for online application is completed.
Now that we have acquainted ourselves with both the offline and online methods for RTI passport application, let’s take a look at which RTI documents for passport will be required.
RTI Documents for Passport Application
Knowing the necessary RTI documents for passport can help you prepare for the application beforehand, so you can avoid the last-minute rush. Here are the RTI documents for passport application that an individual needs to be ready with before filing their application:
Applicants that fall under the BPL category need not pay an application fee. They must, however, enclose a copy of the BPL or Antyodaya ration card with their application letter. In addition to this, they are also expected to add their BPL card number, issuing year, and authority.
For other applicants, no specific documents are needed to file an RTI. They can, however, choose to attach a separate sheet detailing the specifications of the information that they require.
As can be derived from the above information, no RTI document for passport must be submitted by an applicant.
Applicable Fees for Filing RTI Application for Passport
If the application is submitted in person by visiting the Regional Passport Office, the applicable fees can be paid in cash, demand draft, banker’s cheque, or Indian Postal Order. For any of the latter, the payment needs to be drawn in favour of the passport officer at the relevant passport office and is payable at the location of the said passport office.
Alternatively, you can also choose to pay the application fee via internet banking, credit card, debit card, or any other payment option mentioned on the RTI portal.
To obtain information under Section 6, subsection (1), the applicant needs to pay ₹10 as their application fee.
Additional charges apply when an individual seeks information under Section 7, subsections (1) and (5). The table below illustrates the details of each of these:
For creating each page or copies in A3 and A4 size papers | ₹2 |
Models or samples | Actual price |
Inspection of records | In the first hour, no fee is charged. Once this hour concludes, the charge of ₹5 per hour is applied. |
The applicable RTI charges for Section 7, subsection (5) are as follows:
To get the information on a floppy disc | Charges of ₹50 per floppy disc are applicable |
To receive the information in print | Charges of ₹2 per page of the copy from publication are applied |
Time Needed to Respond to an Application
The RTI Act guarantees that applicants get their desired information within 30 days. If the desired information is not provided (basis sub-section (1) or clause 3(a) of section 7) within the prescribed time frame, an appeal can be submitted to the Appellate Authority. This can also be done if the applicant is not satisfied with the decision made by the PIO regarding their application.
Contact Information about CPIOs or First Appellate Authority (FAA) in the PSP Division
*(source: https://www.godigit.com/passport/process/how-to-file-rti-application-for-passport)
The table below comprises the names and other important information of the Central Public Officer and Appellate Authority:
- FAA Details in the PSP Division
CPIO (Name and Designation) | Contact Number | Email Address |
---|---|---|
Shri A.S. Takhi - Director (PSP-Coordination & Vigilance) | 23382658 | dirpspc@mea.gov.in |
Shri T. P. S Rawat - Deputy Secretary (PSP-I) | 23070364 | uspsp1@mea.gov.in |
Shri K.K Meena - Under Secretary (Ops.) | 23386786 | dpo.ops@mea.gov.in |
Shri Sahib Singh - (PSP-Admin and Cadre) | 23073259 | dpopsp4@mea.gov.in |
- FAA Details in the PSP Division
FAA (Name and Designation) | Contact Number | Email Address |
---|---|---|
Shri Prabhat Kumar - AS (PSP) & CPO | 23387013 / 23384536 | jscpo@mea.gov.in |
Shri Ashok Kumar Singh - OSD(PSP) | 23386064 | dirpsp@mea.gov.in |
CPIO Details in Passport Offices
PIO (Name and Designation) | Contact Number | Email Address |
---|---|---|
Shri Balraj - Senior Superintendent | 0183-2506251, 2506252, 0183-2502104/08 | rpo.amritsar@mea.gov.in |
Shri C.V. Ravindran - Senior Superintendent | 079-26309103, 079-26309104, 079-26309118 | rpo.ahmedabad@mea.gov.in |
Shri Atul Kumar Saxena - Senior Superintendent | 0581-2311874, 0581-2301027, 0581-2302031 | rpo.bareilly@mea.gov.in |
Smt. Evilin Daniel - Deputy Passport Officer | 080-25706146, 25706100, 25706101, 25706102, 25706103 | rpo.bangalore@mea.gov.in |
Shri Devabrata Bhuiya - Assistant Passport Officer | 0674-2564470 / 2563855, 0674-2564460 | rpo.bbsr@mea.gov.in |
- FAA Details in Passport Offices
FAA Name | Designation |
---|---|
Shri Munish Kapoor | Regional Passport Officer (Amritsar -143 001) |
Smt. Sonia Yadav | Regional Passport Officer (Ahmedabad -380 006) |
Mohammed Naseem | Regional Passport Officer (Bareilly -243 122) |
Shri. Krishna K. | Regional Passport Officer (Bangalore -560 095) |
Shri Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra | Regional Passport Officer (Bhubaneswar -751 012) |
Importance of International Travel Insurance for Passport
As the passport is an indispensable travel document when you travel internationally, insurance providers help you secure it with comprehensive international travel insurance. With a travel insurance plan, you can be protected against unforeseeable eventualities such as the loss or theft of your passport. You would only need to file a travel insurance claim to get compensated for the necessary charges for making a new passport. In addition to passport protection, the travel insurance by Tata AIG also secures travellers against unfortunate events such as trip curtailments, loss of baggage, natural disasters, medical emergencies, etc.
Disclaimer / TnC
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