How to File RTI with AIIMS or Central Government Hospitals — Medical Records, Treatment Complaint and Drug Availability

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi is an Institute of National Importance established under the AIIMS Act, 1956, and is funded entirely by the Government of India. Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) are similarly administered and funded by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. All of these hospitals are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005, and are fully subject to RTI applications.

Citizens use RTI against these Central Government hospitals to obtain copies of their own medical records, follow up on treatment complaints, verify drug formulary and availability, and access information about hospital procurement and admission data.

Central Government vs. Delhi State Hospitals: Filing in the Right Place

Before filing, it is essential to identify whether the hospital is a Central Government body or a Delhi State body. Filing at the wrong portal means the application will be rejected or transferred, causing delay.

For Delhi State hospitals, refer to the separate RTI guide for Delhi Government hospitals.

Right to Medical Records

The Supreme Court of India and the National Medical Commission (NMC, formerly MCI) have affirmed that a patient has the right to access their own medical records. NMC circulars require hospitals to provide copies of records within 72 hours of a written request by the patient.

RTI is the legal fallback when the hospital does not provide records through the normal administrative process. Because AIIMS and other Central Government hospitals are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005, the CPIO is obligated to furnish the records within 30 days of receiving the RTI application.

What records you can request: OPD/IPD case sheet, prescription slips, all investigation reports (blood tests, scans, X-rays, ECG), Operation Theatre (OT) notes and anaesthesia record, nursing notes, and discharge summary.

Third-party records: A person requesting medical records of another patient (without that patient's written consent) may be refused under Section 8(1)(j), which protects personal information whose disclosure would cause an unwarranted invasion of privacy. An exception applies for legal heirs or next-of-kin requesting records of a deceased patient; state the relationship and attach supporting documents.

Common RTI Use Cases

What Specific Information Can You Ask For

Medical records:

1. Certified copies of OPD/IPD case sheet, prescription slips, nursing notes, and all investigation reports for patient Name bearing UHID No. for the period dates
2. Operation Theatre notes, anaesthesia record, and post-operative case papers, if surgery was performed
3. Discharge summary issued at the time of discharge on date

Treatment complaint inquiry:

1. Whether a complaint regarding patient Name's treatment was registered in the hospital's Grievance Cell — complaint number and date of registration
2. Whether a departmental inquiry or internal inquiry was initiated — date of initiation, inquiry officer name, and current status
3. Final outcome and action taken against responsible staff
4. Whether a mortality committee or adverse event report was prepared, and the outcome recorded in that report

Drug formulary and availability:

1. Whether Medicine Name, Composition, Dosage is listed in the hospital's approved drug formulary
2. Whether the drug was in stock at the hospital pharmacy between start date and end date
3. Procurement and stock records for the drug for the relevant period

OPD/IPD waiting list:

1. Whether patient Name bearing OPD registration number No. is registered for consultation in Specialty Clinic / Department
2. The approximate queue position and expected appointment date as of date

Hospital tender / procurement:

1. The name of the contractor awarded the tender for construction work / equipment under tender reference No. and the awarded contract value
2. The tender evaluation committee's decision and the terms of the contract

AIIMS admission statistics:

1. The number of seats in the MBBS/MD/MS/BSc Nursing programme for academic year — category-wise (General / OBC / SC / ST / EWS / PwD)
2. The last-rank admitted in each category for academic year
3. The fee structure (tuition fee, hostel fee, and other charges) for programme and academic year

Where to File

File your RTI application online at rtionline.gov.in. On the portal:

1. Register or log in with your mobile number or email
2. Select Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
3. Select Public Authority: choose the specific hospital — All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Safdarjung Hospital, or Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital as applicable
4. Write your application text in the text box (or attach a PDF if it is lengthy)
5. Pay the fee of ₹10 online (net banking, debit card, UPI)
6. Note the registration number for tracking

BPL cardholders are exempt from the fee — attach a copy of the BPL card with your application.

Note for Delhi Government hospitals: If the hospital you need is LNJP, GTB, DDU, or another GNCTD-administered hospital, do not file at rtionline.gov.in. File at rti.delhi.gov.in instead. Second appeals for those hospitals go to the Delhi Information Commission (DIC), not the CIC.

Appeals

First Appeal — Section 19(1)

If the CPIO does not respond within 30 days, or if the response is incomplete or unsatisfactory, file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the same hospital. The First Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the date of the decision or the expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable.

For matters relating to the life or liberty of a patient, the response is due within 48 hours under the proviso to Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005. If the hospital fails to respond within 48 hours in such cases, file the First Appeal immediately citing the proviso.

Second Appeal — Section 19(3)

If the FAA's response is absent or unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC) under Section 19(3) within 90 days of the date of the FAA's decision or the expiry of the FAA's response period. AIIMS, Safdarjung, RML, and Lady Hardinge Medical College are all Central Government bodies — second appeals go to the CIC, not the Delhi Information Commission.

The CIC has the authority under Section 20 of the RTI Act to impose a penalty of ₹250 per day (up to ₹25,000) on the CPIO for failure to provide information without reasonable cause.