National Information Commission , Tripureshwor, Kathmandu

Services of National Information Commission

service

Service Commissions

Overview

National Information Commission Services: What Citizens Get, When They Get It, and How They Use It

Under the Right to Information Act, 2064, the National Information Commission (Rastriya Suchana Aayog / राष्ट्रिय सूचना आयोग) is a body that can ensure access to information, hear cases of refusal/delay/incorrect or partial information, and issue necessary orders and directives to public bodies.

The Commission’s functions, duties, and powers (records review, orders for records management, orders to publish information, time-bound orders to provide information, hearing complaints about fees, orders on appeals against refusal, review of classification, etc.) are clearly listed on the Commission’s “Aayog Ke Ka Lagi?” page.

The service details below are presented in the most commonly used, “service–outcome” focused manner in practice—especially for students, guardians, service-seeking citizens, educational institutions, and public bodies.

National Information Commission (Rastriya Suchana Aayog)

Before using a service, keep two things clear

Requesting information and lodging a complaint are not the same

The Right to Information works to provide concrete information such as “documents/records/decisions/procedures/criteria.” Unless service dissatisfaction, policy debates, or personal disputes are converted into the language of an information request, outcomes may be weak.

The Commission does not “create” information—it issues orders to “provide” information

If a public body does not have a record, or if the information cannot be provided under the law, the Commission decides the scope of what can be provided (the Act also places a duty to separate what can/cannot be provided, including partial provision where applicable).

1) Service to make information requests (RTI Application) easier

What this service is:

A service that makes it easier for citizens to request information from public bodies. The Commission appears to operate/promote the RTI system, and the RTIMS (Right to Information Management System) link/service is placed in the Commission’s “Hamra Sevaaharu” section.

Useful for whom:

Students/guardians: scholarship criteria, selection basis, program budgets, exam/rechecking procedures
Citizens/service seekers: service processes, basis of decisions, official fee lists
Journalists/researchers: reports/decisions/records of public importance

What you do:

Step 1: Identify the likely public body where the information exists (e.g., education section, local level, ministry, board/committee).
Step 2: Write a bullet-point request stating “which document/record” you need.
Step 3: If possible, mention the format you want (copy/email/inspection).

Under the Act, when requesting information, there is a provision to submit an application to the information officer by stating the reason.

What you can expect from the Commission/body:

Information that can be made available immediately: immediately
Other information: within 15 days from the date the application is received
Information related to life-and-safety protection: within 24 hours

2) Status tracking service for information requests

What this service is:

On the RTIMS portal, an option to monitor the “status of requested information” is clearly visible.

When it is needed:

After registration, if no response arrives within 15 days / if delay is indicated
When an office says “we sent it,” but you did not receive it
When multiple requests are filed with the same body and organized tracking is needed

What you do:

Required: Keep the registration number/date/submission proof (screenshot or receipt) secure.
Helpful: Note the letter dispatch number provided by the office as well.

3) Templates and procedural guidance

What this service is:

On the Commission’s site, materials such as appeal letter samples and complaint formats for submission to the office head are available.

Why this service matters:

The main reason many requests are refused/delayed is not the “letter structure,” but unclear requests and missed timelines. Samples help correct language and structure and strengthen the paper trail.

What you do:

Documents:

Copy/registration proof of the application submitted to the information officer
Received response (if any)
Proof that the timeline was exceeded (date calculation)

On the basis of these documents, complaints/appeals become stronger.

4) Complaint to the office head (First-Tier Complaint Facilitation)

What this service is:

If the information officer does not provide information/refuses/provides partial or incorrect information/blocks it by saying “not the concerned party,” there is a provision to submit a complaint to the office head within 7 days.

The Commission has also provided a format for complaints to the office head.

When to use this service:

15 days have passed and no response has arrived
A response arrived, but it is partial/incorrect
The application was not registered/was not accepted

What you do:

How to write: Clearly state “what information I requested” and “how it was violated” (not registered/deadline exceeded/partial–incorrect).

5) Appeal to the Commission (Second-Tier Appeal Adjudication) service

What this service is:

If you are not satisfied with the office head’s decision, you can file an appeal to the Commission within 35 days from the date you received information about that decision.

During appeal proceedings, the Act provides that the Commission may require the concerned head/information officer to appear, record statements, require submission of documents, examine evidence, and request copies of documents.

What outcomes may result from the Commission:

If the appeal is found reasonable, an order to provide the information “without fee,” setting a time limit
If the appeal is found baseless, dismissal

Time limit:

The Act provides that the Commission must issue a final decision within 60 days of receiving the appeal.

6) Hearing service for complaints about excessive fees

What this service is:

There is a provision that fees charged for providing information must be set on the basis of “actual cost.” If you believe the fee is higher than cost, you can file a complaint to the Commission, and the Commission can order a fee review.

When to use this service:

Copy/print/CD/scan charges are demanded at levels that do not match actual cost
Unnecessary obstruction such as “information will not be provided until the fee is paid”

What you do:

Evidence: Keep copies of the fee-demand letter/receipt/voucher.
Request: You can also request documents/guidelines showing the “actual cost basis.”

7) Service for time-bound orders to provide information

What this service is:

The Commission has the authority to issue an order directing the concerned public body to provide the requested information by “specifying a time.”

Why this service is useful:

Sometimes a body causes indefinite delay by saying “it will be done, we are searching.” The Commission’s time-bound order clarifies responsibility and accountability.

8) Records management guidance and orders service

What this service is:

The Commission has the authority to study/observe records/documents/materials of public importance held by public bodies, and to order that such records/materials be indexed and maintained in an organized manner.

When it becomes important:

Information is blocked using the excuse “the file was not found”
Decision/contract/procurement documents are disorganized
Documents of school/local-level education programs are not regularly updated/indexed

Practical improvements for public bodies:

Permanent folders/indexes for decisions, correspondence, budgets, procurement, progress reports
Preparation of a “mandatory list” for quarterly proactive disclosure

This reduces the burden of citizens’ information requests.

9) Service to enforce proactive disclosure

What this service is:

The Commission has the authority to order the concerned public body to publish information for public knowledge.

The Act also includes provisions in the duties of public bodies such as “separating information that can/cannot be disseminated and providing what can be provided.”

When it is used:

The same type of information is repeatedly requested (e.g., scholarship criteria, service chart, fee list)
A public body does not provide even minimum information on its website/information board

10) Penalty and enforcement for non-compliance with orders

What this service is:

The Act provides that the Commission may impose fines in cases such as withholding/refusing information/providing partial or incorrect information/destroying information.

The Act also provides that fines may be imposed if the Commission’s decision/order is not complied with.

When it applies:

Evidence proves information was deliberately withheld
Information is not provided even after an order is issued
Citizens are misled by providing incorrect information

Important: This service is not “automatic”; evidence, timelines, and records in the complaint/appeal strengthen the decision.

11) Service for decisions on compensation

What this service is:

The Act includes provisions on compensation claims where actual loss is claimed due to failure to provide information/providing incorrect or partial information/destroying information.

When it may be used:

Proven loss where an exam/application/service opportunity was missed due to not receiving information on time
Financial/administrative loss due to incorrect information

What you do:

Evidence basis: Documents must show “how the loss occurred” (dates, information request, response, outcome).

12) Review service related to classification

What this service is:

The Commission has the authority to issue orders to review applications submitted regarding dissatisfaction with information classification.

The Act also lists categories of information that cannot be disseminated, and places a duty that if a single record contains both disseminable and non-disseminable information, the “disseminable information must be separated and provided.”

When it is useful:

A body issues a blanket refusal by labeling everything “confidential”
Information that could be provided partially is also not provided

13) Service related to protection of informants/sources

What this service is:

For the RTI system to be effective, a protection concept is included in the Act’s interpretation so that a person providing “public interest information” does not face retaliation/pressure (interpretation/application of provisions depends on the case).

Practical note: Such cases can be sensitive. Formal consultation and evidence management are necessary.

14) Service for annual reports, publishing decisions/orders, and publications

What this service is:

In the Commission’s list of powers and duties, there is authority–responsibility to submit an annual report to the Legislature/Parliament through the Prime Minister.

On the Commission’s site, menus such as “orders on appeals,” “annual report,” and “RTI Bulletin,” along with publication/media materials, also appear to be available.

Use for citizens/institutions:

To understand trends in which types of complaints are more common
To identify compliance problems of public bodies
To collect evidence for policy improvements

15) Public awareness, training, and citizen guidance service

What this service is:

The Commission appears to have menus and publications related to materials/programs such as RTI Bulletin/journal/information day.

Such services help citizens understand the process (where to apply, how to complain, how many days), which is a foundation for implementation.

Channels for accessing services

Online: On the RTIMS portal, options such as “Suchana Magkarta Portal,” “Magiyeko Suchana Ko Sthiti,” and “Karyalaya Portal” are visible.

Website content: Appeal samples, complaint formats, Act/rules/guidelines, decisions/orders, and publication menus appear to be available on the Commission’s site.

Office: The Commission’s address is mentioned on its pages as Tripureshwor, Kathmandu.

Quick checklist

Documents (mandatory):

Copy/registration proof of the application submitted to the information officer
Response received within 15 days (if any) or date-calculation proof that it did not arrive
Complaint to the office head (if submitted) and its decision/response
Fee-related receipts/letters (for excessive fee complaints)

Timelines (key):

Providing information: immediately or within 15 days; within 24 hours for life-and-safety related information
Complaint to the office head: within 7 days
Appeal to the Commission: within 35 days
Commission’s final decision: within 60 days

Disclaimer: This material is for informational and educational purposes. Before taking steps related to RTI applications/complaints/appeals or compensation, consult the National Information Commission, the concerned public body, or a qualified legal/administrative expert according to your situation. This material is not a substitute for legal advice.