It includes the right to access to the information which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right to inspect the works, documents, records, take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records and take certified samples of the materials and obtain information in the form of printouts diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other  electronic mode or through printouts.

Subject to the provisions of the Act, all citizens have the right to information. Since as per the Act information can be furnished only to citizens of India, the applicant for request will have to give citizen status. The applicant for request should also give contact details (postal address, telephone number, Fax number, e-mail address).

A request seeking information shall be made to Public Information Officer in writing or through electronic means in English or Hindi or in the Official Language of the area in which application is made, specifying the particulars of information sought for along with the prescribed fee.    reasonable assistance shall be rendered to reduce the oral request to writing.