Right to Information Nepal refers to the legal entitlement of every Nepali citizen to access information held by public bodies. The RTI Act 2007 was enacted on July 21, 2007, and came into force on August 20, 2007. This legislation was developed to make government functions transparent, responsible, and accountable to citizens.
The scope of RTI Nepal extends to all public bodies, including:
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Basis | Article 27, Constitution of Nepal 2015 |
| Primary Legislation | Right to Information Act, 2007 (2064 BS) |
| Implementing Body | National Information Commission (NIC) |
| Time Limit for Response | 15 days (24 hours for life/liberty matters) |
| Application Fee | Based on actual cost (minimal charges) |
The Right to Information Nepal framework is built upon multiple legal layers. Understanding these is essential for successful applications.
Article 27 of the Constitution of Nepal 2015 states: "Every citizen shall have the right to demand and receive information on any matter of his or her interest or of public interest." This provision was first introduced in the 1990 Constitution (Article 16), making Nepal the first South Asian nation to guarantee RTI constitutionally.
The RTI Act 2007 contains 38 sections across 6 chapters. Key provisions include:
The NIC was established in May 2008 as an independent oversight body. It comprises:
The Commission is located at Kathmandu Metropolitan Ward No. 10. Contact details are maintained through the Ministry of Information and Communication.
Filing an RTI Nepal application requires careful attention to procedure. The following steps have been verified through current legal practice.
Before drafting your application, determine which public body holds the information. Each ministry, department, and local government unit is required to appoint an Information Officer under Section 6 of the RTI Act.
Tip: Visit the official website of the concerned department or contact their reception to obtain the name and designation of the current Information Officer.
Your Right to Information Nepal application must include:
| Required Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Addressee | The Public Information Officer (name and designation) |
| Applicant Details | Your full name, address, and contact information |
| Subject Line | Clear reference to RTI Act 2007 |
| Information Sought | Specific, factual details requested |
| Reason | Brief mention of purpose (required by Section 7) |
| Preferred Format | Written copy, inspection, or electronic form |
| Fee Payment | Proof of payment or BPL exemption claim |
Under Section 8 of the RTI Act, fees must be based on actual costs. Generally:
Payment is accepted via:
Right to Information Nepal applications can be submitted through:
Important: Always obtain an acknowledgment receipt with date and reference number.
The Information Officer is obligated to provide information:
If no response is received, reminders can be sent after the deadline expires.
The following format has been structured according to Section 7 requirements and can be adapted for various requests:
To,
The Public Information Officer
[Name of Department/Office]
[Full Address]
Subject: Application under Right to Information Act, 2007
Respected Sir/Madam,
I, [Your Full Name], resident of [Your Address], hereby seek the following information under the Right to Information Act, 2007:
The reason for seeking this information is [brief purpose - personal interest/public interest].
I request that the information be provided in [written form/inspection/certified copies] at the address mentioned above.
Applicant Details:
Name: [Your Name]
Address: [Full Address]
Contact: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Signature: _
Enclosures:
If your RTI Nepal application is denied or partially fulfilled, a three-tier appeal system is available:
Under Section 9, you may appeal to the Chief of the Public Body (head of the department) within 7 days of denial or partial disclosure. The Chief must reconsider the decision and provide a response.
If dissatisfied with the Chief's decision, an appeal can be filed with the NIC within 15 days under Section 10. The Commission will:
Decisions of the NIC under Section 32 can be appealed to the Appellate Court within 35 days.
| Appeal Stage | Time Limit | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| First Appeal | 7 days | Chief of Public Body |
| Second Appeal | 15 days | National Information Commission |
| Judicial Review | 35 days | Appellate Court |
Understanding why Right to Information Nepal applications are rejected helps in drafting compliant requests. Valid grounds for refusal under Section 3 include:
Note: Even when exemptions apply, partial disclosure must be provided for non-exempt portions of the requested information.
The RTI Act 2007 has enabled significant transparency victories:
A law student at Nepal Law Campus, Bivek Chaudhary, filed an RTI Nepal application regarding the Department of Transport Management's practice of publishing citizenship numbers in driving license examination results. When the department failed to respond within 15 days, the appeal was escalated to the NIC. The department subsequently admitted the privacy violation and committed to software upgrades to prevent future breaches.
In 2012, parking management transparency was achieved in Kathmandu Valley through Right to Information Nepal requests. Information revealed arbitrary leasing of public parking spaces without competitive bidding, leading to policy reforms.
A teacher in Dhangadhi was reinstated after filing RTI Nepal requests regarding irregularities at her school. The Section 29 whistleblower protection provisions were invoked to prevent retaliation.
The RTI Act 2007 imposes strict sanctions under Section 32:
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Unreasonable information denial | Fine up to NPR 25,000 |
| Providing partial or wrong information | Fine up to NPR 25,000 |
| Destroying requested information | Fine up to NPR 25,000 |
| Delay in providing information | NPR 200 per day of delay |
| Non-compliance with NIC orders | Additional NPR 10,000 fine |
Additionally, compensation can be claimed for losses suffered due to information denial.
Despite legal guarantees, several challenges persist:
Only Nepali citizens are entitled to file RTI Nepal applications. Foreign nationals and corporations cannot avail this right directly, though individual citizens may file on behalf of organizations.
Currently, Nepal does not operate a centralized online RTI Nepal portal like some neighboring countries. Applications must be submitted physically or via postal mail to the designated Information Officer.
The fee is based on actual cost of providing information. Application fees are minimal, and Below Poverty Line (BPL) citizens are exempted upon producing valid proof.
If an Information Officer refuses to accept a valid Right to Information Nepal application, this constitutes a violation. You may:
RTI Nepal applies to private companies only if they are:
Purely private entities without public funding are not covered.
Under the classification system, information can be classified for maximum 30 years, with mandatory review every 10 years to determine if continued confidentiality is necessary.
Section 29 of the RTI Act mandates that whistleblowers providing information on corruption or irregularities must be protected from retaliation. Victims of retaliation can seek compensation and reinstatement.
Yes. Partial disclosure constitutes grounds for appeal under Section 9. You may request the Chief to order complete disclosure of non-exempt portions.
According to recent data, the NIC resolved 99.04% of appeals received in fiscal year 2022-23, with 72.05% of appeals related to local government bodies.
No legal representation is required. Right to Information Nepal is designed for direct citizen use. However, for complex appeals or judicial review, assistance from experienced legal practitioners may be beneficial.
While RTI Nepal is designed for citizen-friendly access, navigating appeals and enforcement can require specialized knowledge. Attorney Nepal PVT LTD provides comprehensive legal support for:
With extensive experience in Nepali constitutional and administrative law, Attorney Nepal PVT LTD ensures your Right to Information Nepal is fully protected and effectively exercised.
The Right to Information Nepal is a powerful constitutional tool for transparency and accountability. By understanding the RTI Act 2007, following proper application procedures, and utilizing the appeal mechanisms when necessary, every citizen can participate in governance oversight. The National Information Commission stands ready to enforce these rights, but citizen awareness and persistence remain essential for realizing the full potential of RTI Nepal.
Start your transparency journey today. File your first Right to Information Nepal application and contribute to building a more accountable democracy.
Related Resources:
This guide is prepared for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal situations, consultation with qualified legal professionals is recommended.
February 07, 2026 - BY Admin