Landmark RTI Cases — Top 25 must-know rulings (2026)

Quick reference to the top 25 landmark RTI rulings.

• RTI Act, 2005 all sections.
• Constitution Article 19(1)(a) read with 21.

To:
The Public Information Officer (PIO),
[Office name + address].

Subject: RTI under §6 — Landmark query

Sir/Madam,

This article is a curated list of 25 landmark rulings — see body sections below for citations and ratio. No template required.

Yours faithfully,
[Name]
[Address + phone + email]
[Date]

• See individual case pages for litigation routes.
• Use citations in your own RTI replies (cite the binding authority).

• CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011) — Answer-sheets are information.
• Girish Deshpande (2013) — §8(1)(j) three-part test.
• R.K. Jain (2013) — File noting disclosable post-decision.
• RBI v. Jayantilal Mistry (2015) — Fiduciary defence narrowed.
• CPIO SC v. Subhash Chandra (2019) — CJI Office is public authority.
• Thalappalam (2013) — §2(h) functional test.
• Khanapuram Gandaiah (2010) — PIO not required to create info.
• Bhagat Singh (2007 Delhi HC) — §8(1)(h) ceases post-investigation.
• Subhash Chandra v. INC (CIC 2013) — 6 parties are public authorities.
• ADR v. UoI Electoral Bonds (2024) — Bond data must be disclosed.

• Citing wrong court hierarchy.
• Citing overturned cases (always check current status).

indiankanoon.org, sci.gov.in, scc-online (subscription).

• 10 SC rulings — PIO view
• HC rulings
• Citing case law
• File RTI online — 12 steps
• RTI — 25 questions answered

• RTI Act, 2005 — full text.
• Citation chain in body.
• Citizen Charter of the relevant authority.
• Case-law database at /cases/search.

Last reviewed: 23 April 2026.