RTI404

We’ve documented 89 RTI denials so far—and we’re aiming to reach 250 soon. If you’ve filed an RTI and received no response, an evasive reply, a rejection citing Section 8, or anything bizarre, we want to hear from you. Please submit your cases here: rti404.com/add-to-record

DPDP Act restrains journalists and civil society activists from naming the corrupt. Under this act journalists will not be able to hold the powerful accountable. rti404.com

Ram Dev bought a lot of land in the Aravali forest using shell companies. Under the DPDP Act you’ll need his consent to name him in the scam. Read our earlier report naming him and his friends in the scam: reporters-collective.in/trc/baba-ramde…

Can you call a corrupt official corrupt? Not without their permission. The DPDP Act, protects frauds unless the person specifically gives their permission to name them. Watch @Nit_Set on Jaanne Bhi Do Yaaro with @AnjaliB_ and Amrita Johri youtube.com/watch?v=oVyWOr…

An RTI asked the RBI: who shaped your fintech Regulatory Sandbox framework? RBI's reply: here are the comments. The names? Redacted. They were likely to have been corporations, think tanks, lobbyists — weighing in on public policy. For more RTI denials: rti404.com

@nachiket1982 Hi @nachiket1982! We @rti404 are documenting every RTI the govt has stonewalled. Your application could help expose a pattern — and hold them accountable. Add your RTI & denials: rti404.com/add-to-record or email rti@reporters-collective.in

First, the Ministry of Petroleum sits on my RTI for 2 months. Then, they play a shell game, deflecting it to ARAI and OMCs. Now, ARAI hides behind "confidentiality" to suppress the research reports. ​If the Govt cited IOCL, ARAI, and SIAM studies in their press release to push the E20 mandate, why is the data now a state secret? What’s "confidential" about mileage drops and engine corrosion? ​This isn't about trade secrets; it’s about a total lack of accountability. The refusal to share reports only confirms the suspicion: the Ministry lied in their press release, and the "extensive research" is a ghost. Millions of vehicle owners are being used as guinea pigs for a policy backed by zero transparent science. @PetroleumMin @HardeepSPuri @arai_india @siamindia @IndianOilcl

Ahead of Magh Bihu, Assam banned community fishing in Kaziranga National Park. Yet large groups entered to fish. RTIs in 2025 asked: action taken? FIRs? Replies from Golaghat, Bokakhat & Nagaon: “no records”, “not available”, “does not arise.” (@RTI404's Denials Directory)

Maharashtra govt's new conditions for posts of State Chief Information Commissioner & Information Commissioners (among others): – Age: 45–62 years – Degree mandatory – 20 yrs experience (Chief IC), 15 yrs (IC) – ₹2,000 application fee

Has the govt ever ignored/evaded/rejected your RTI applications? We @RTI404 are putting together a directory of RTI Denials from across the country. Please submit your RTI Denials here: rti404.com/add-to-record or email them to rti@reporters-collective.in

Thinking of posting something critical of the government? As @nit_set points out, the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act allows the government to act as both prosecutor and judge over what’s written or shared about it. Full discussion: youtube.com/watch?v=QLSlMc…

Reporters Without Borders (@RSF_en) slams the DPDP Act: data protection shouldn't be "a pretext to sacrifice access to information." Backing @reporters_co & others, RSF says petitions against the law are of “utmost importance for Indian democracy.” shorturl.at/kuDZ9

How the Digital Personal Data Protection Act impacts RTI: In essence, by expanding Section 8 exemptions to incl. "personal information", we now hv to seek permission from a "thief" whether we can refer to them as a "thief" — @nit_set in @thewire_in's 'Jaanne Bhi Do Yaaro'.

“I can ask the Prime Minister what they were doing because, while they’re the PM, they are also a public servant. The public pays their salary. That right to ask is essential.” — @nit_set of @reporters_co on how RTI empowers citizens, on @thewire_in’s ‘Jaanne Bhi Do Yaaro.’

Being an RTI activist in India today can be dangerous. These truth-seekers often face threats and intimidation, says @gayatrisupbro. "Developments like the DPDP Act has further complicated this landscape." Watch the discussion: l1nq.com/rti-404

RTI has largely stayed within activists & some civil society organisations. @rti404 is a “fun, intrusive” attempt to make it relevant for everyone, says @prosaha. Watch the entire discussion here: youtube.com/watch?v=QLSlMc…

We are now up to 84 RTI denials and aiming to log 250 in our public database. If you’ve ever filed an RTI & received no response, an incomplete reply, or an evasive answer, add your case to the record. Help us document the gaps in transparency. Submit: rti404.com/add-to-record

Has the government ever denied information in response to your RTI? At @rti404, every denial has a place. We’ve logged nearly 80 so far — help us reach 250. Stand up for your right to information. Submit your denial: rti404.com/add-to-record

@pranesh @nit_set Yes, definitely. We are also attempting to highlight how different govts across the years have failed to be transparent with information sought through RTI. (Share them: rti404.com/add-to-record or email to rti@reporters-collective.in)

@nit_set @rti404 There are some from 2011, 2012, etc., from my CIS days. Are those helpful too?

Has the Gov't denied a reply to your RTI with a bad/wrong/illegal/hilarious/shameful answer? If so, send it to @rti404. We are building a public library of govt silence. Join us 👇