**Executive Summary**
This document is a notification from the High Court of Gujarat at Ahmedabad, published in the Gujarat Government Gazette on December 29, 2025. It outlines amendments to the Gujarat High Court (Right to Information) Rules, 2005, as empowered by the Right to Information Act, 2005. These amendments cover fees, application processes, and record retention policies.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Amendment Details:**
* The notification is called "The Gujarat High Court (Right to Information) Amendment Rules, 2025." (No.1 of 2025).
* The amendments come into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
* **Fees and Charges:**
* Fees can be paid via cash, demand draft, pay order, Non-Judicial Stamp, electronic stamping, court fees stamp, Indian Postal Order, or cheque.
* Demand Drafts, Pay Orders, and Cheques must be drawn in favor of "Registrar, Gujarat High Court."
* No fees apply to individuals from Below Poverty Line families, provided they submit proof.
* **Application Process:**
* The Public Information Officer will not handle applications seeking copies of documents or records that are already accessible under the Gujarat High Court Rules, 1993.
* **Fees for Inspection and Electronic Provision:**
* Record inspection: No fees for the first half hour, Rs. 50 for each subsequent half hour.
* Electronic information: Handling charges apply for up to 25 MB and for each additional 25 MB thereafter (minimum of Rs.50 for upto 25 MB).
* **Record Retention:**
* Documents are classified based on their required retention period: 'A' (permanently), 'B' (10 years), 'C' (5 years), and 'D' (2 years).
* Specific documents and their retention periods are listed in tables.
* Retention periods can be extended if a document relates to a party involved in legal proceedings.
* The retention period is reckoned from the date of final adjudication of the First Appeal, Second Appeal, or the Honourable Courts.
* **Record Types and Classes**
* Class 'A' records include files pertaining to policy decisions, registers of RTI applications and appeals received, and appointment orders of information officers.
* Class 'B' records include the file of proactive disclosure for the respective year.
* Class 'C' records include files related to RTI applications and appeals where orders have been complied with, files of quarterly and annual reports furnished to information commissions.
* Class 'D' records include files related to RTI applications where the First Appeal has not been preferred, or the Second Appeal has not been preferred before the State Information Commission.
**Impact Analysis**
**High Court of Gujarat**
* **Impact:** Must implement the amended rules for processing RTI requests, managing fees, and handling record retention.
* **Action Required:** Update internal procedures and train personnel to ensure compliance.
**Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Assistant Public Information Officers**
* **Impact:** New rules affect the way they process RTI applications, collect fees, and manage record retention.
* **Action Required:** Understand the changes and implement them, including verifying BPL status and rejecting applications covered under the Gujarat High Court Rules, 1993.
**Applicants Seeking Information under the RTI Act**
* **Impact:** Changes in fees, payment methods, and access to documents.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the fee structure, acceptable payment methods, and limitations on accessing documents already available under the Gujarat High Court Rules, 1993.
**Competent Authority for BPL Certification**
* **Impact:** Competent authority needs to be aware of their responsibility to issue a certificate for persons belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families so that such persons may be eligible for the exemption of fees for applications made under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
* **Action Required:** Issue certificates to BPL persons who require such certification for the purpose of availing fee exemptions under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
Key Entities Referenced
Right to Information Act, 2005: The central law that provides for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens.
Gujarat High Court (Right to Information) Rules, 2005: The rules framed by the Gujarat High Court to implement the Right to Information Act within the High Court.
Gujarat High Court (Right to Information) Amendment Rules, 2025: Amendments to the 2005 Rules, specifying fees, procedures for accessing information and record retention within the Gujarat High Court.
High Court of Gujarat at Ahmedabad: The jurisdictional location for the amendment rules regarding right to information.