First five pages of RTI response to cost zero in Gujarat
Updated: Jun 5th, 2025
The Gujarat government has made significant changes in the Right To Information (RTI) Act on Wednesday. All departments of the state are now directed to provide free of charge information up to five pages.
The Gujarat Information Commission submitted recommendations to the state government through its Annual Administrative Report for the year 2023-24 presented before the Legislative Assembly.
As per the approved report, records must be appropriately categorised, indexed, maintained, and published on the official website.
Up to five pages of information are to be provided free of charge.
If information is requested via e-mail/online, it should be photographed and sent electronically. In such cases, there is no need to send the information in physical form.
If an applicant is invited for inspection of records, they should be allowed to photograph only the permissible information and copy it to a portable storage device. The information need not be sent physically afterward.
Additionally, based on the details submitted by the Public Information Officer and the First Appellate Authority, it has been instructed that a detailed Speaking Order must be issued for every first appeal and compliance with that order by the Public Information Officer must be ensured.
To minimise the need for citizens to file RTI applications, all public authorities have been instructed to update the proactively disclose information under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act, 2005, in accordance with the General Administration Department's guidelines dated May 1, 2009 and July 17, 2019.
Proactive Disclosure (PAD) must be provided to citizens free of cost or at a specified rate or at the cost of printing. This information should include frequently requested information.
Furthermore, the state government has instructed all public authorities to proactively publish records related to actions taken against illegal constructions and encroachments, and details of permits, licenses, approvals, and authorizations granted.
Also, to ensure that applicants are aware of the progress of their applications, arrangements must be made to automatically notify them via SMS/email at each stage of the approval process.
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