Which one of the following is not a ground for rejection of an RTI application ?
Vague or unclear application
Application filed by an unauthorized person
Application requesting sensitive defence-related information
Application seeking information from a private entity
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2021-22
While a vague or unclear application can make it difficult for the Public Information Officer (PIO) to provide the requested information, it is generally not listed as a primary, explicit ground for rejection under the RTI Act in the same way that exemptions under Section 8 or the scope of the Act (e.g., applying to private entities) are.
The RTI Act focuses on the nature of the information requested and the entity holding it. Section 8 lists exemptions based on the potential harm caused by disclosure (sovereignty, security, privacy, etc.). Section 2(h) defines ‘public authority’ limiting the Act’s applicability. Applying for information from a private entity that does not fall under the definition of a public authority is a valid reason for the application to be rejected or deemed outside the Act’s purview. Requesting sensitive defence-related information is a specific exemption under Section 8(1)(a). While “unauthorized person” is ambiguous, if interpreted as someone not eligible (e.g., non-citizen, in some contexts depending on interpretation), it could potentially be a ground. However, a vague application often results in the PIO seeking clarification or being unable to process the request effectively, rather than a statutory ground for outright rejection as defined by the Act’s exemption/scope sections.