Exemptions
RTI provides for certain information to be exempt from disclosure. These are listed under Section 8. The government officials often abuse these provisions. Once the records are refused the requester can appeal to the appropriate Information Commission. If the Commission rules in favour of the government official, the only option left for the requester is to file a lawsuit. Since RTI was enacted rather recently, there are few if any cases that have been decided by the Indian Courts. There is little case-law to guide the courts and the information commissioners.
RTI is based upon similar laws in other countries. In USA, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was passed over thirty years ago. There has been extensive litigation about exemptions from disclosure under FOIA. Therefore FOIA cases can be used to justify what information is covered and what is not covered under the exemptions.