Consider the following statements: Public Information Officer at the

Consider the following statements:

  • Public Information Officer at the administrative unit level will receive the applications under the RTI Act, 2005.
  • Assistant Public Information Officer at the sub-district, sub-divisional levels will receive the applications under the RTI Act, 2005.
  • Any officer of a public authority, who is available in the authority’s office when the application is made, will receive the applications under the RTI Act, 2005.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
The correct option is A because the RTI Act designates specific officers at administrative and sub-district levels to receive applications, while not allowing just *any* available officer to do so.
The RTI Act establishes a designated hierarchy of officers – Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs) – for receiving and processing RTI applications.
Section 5(1) mandates every public authority to designate PIOs in all administrative units or offices. These are the primary officers for receiving applications. Section 5(2) mandates the designation of APIOs at the sub-divisional or sub-district levels, whose role is to receive applications and forward them to the concerned PIO. Statement 3 is incorrect as it implies any officer can receive applications, which is not specified in the Act; receiving is the designated function of PIOs and APIOs.