Our SHG has not received the Community Investment Fund. Should we file RTI with the Ministry of Rural Development or our State Rural Livelihood Mission?

It depends on what you want to know. DAY-NRLM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme — the Ministry of Rural Development releases CIF funds to each State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM), and the SRLM then routes funds to districts, blocks, and ultimately to individual SHGs. If your SHG's CIF has not arrived, the delay is almost certainly at the state or district level, not the Central Ministry. File RTI with the SRLM of your state (e.g., Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society, SERP in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala State Rural Livelihoods Mission, etc.) for: (1) whether CIF allocation has been made for your SHG; (2) the stage at which funds are pending — state pool, district, or block; (3) the grading status of your SHG. Because SRLMs are state public authorities, your RTI with an SRLM goes up to the State Information Commission (SIC) on second appeal. File with the Central Ministry (CPIO, Ministry of Rural Development via rtionline.gov.in) if you want national-level data — total CIF released to states, policy guidelines, or inter-state comparisons.

Our SHG was told it failed the grading and is not eligible for CIF. Can RTI help us understand why?

Yes. SHG grading under DAY-NRLM is based on the Panchasutra — five principles of good SHG functioning: regular meetings, regular savings, inter-loaning, timely repayment, and maintaining proper accounts. Grading is typically done by the Community Resource Person (CRP) or block-level SRLM staff using a scorecard. Through RTI with the SRLM or the Block Programme Manager's office, you can ask for: (1) a copy of the grading scorecard for your SHG, with marks awarded against each criterion; (2) the name and designation of the person who conducted the grading; (3) the minimum score required for CIF eligibility and whether your SHG's score was below that threshold; (4) whether a re-grading or appeal process is available and the procedure for the same. A written grading record may reveal scoring errors or that the grader did not actually visit the SHG — both grounds for a formal complaint to the district SRLM or the state mission director.

We want to apply for a vehicle under the Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana. What RTI can help us with?

The Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) is a sub-component of DAY-NRLM under which SHGs can operate passenger vehicles connecting remote rural areas to block and district headquarters. An RTI with the SRLM of your state (for implementation details) or the Ministry of Rural Development (for national scheme guidelines) can help you obtain: (1) the complete guidelines for AGEY, including eligibility criteria for SHGs, vehicle categories supported, and grant amount per vehicle; (2) the route selection criteria and who approves proposed routes — whether it is the block, district, or state; (3) the application format and process for your state; (4) the list of SHGs in your district or state that have already been approved under AGEY, so you can understand the selection pattern; (5) whether your district has an approved quota of vehicles still available. Armed with these details, your SHG can submit a properly documented application and, if denied, challenge the denial citing the published criteria.

Our bank refused to credit-link our SHG under DAY-NRLM's Bank Linkage Programme. Can RTI expose the bank's performance?

Yes. Banks (including Regional Rural Banks and cooperative banks) that have Service Area agreements under DAY-NRLM are public authorities under the RTI Act. You can file RTI with the Lead District Manager (LDM) / Lead Bank of your district asking for: (1) the Bank Linkage Programme targets set for [bank name] in [district] for the financial year; (2) the number of SHGs actually credit-linked by [bank name] in [district] and the loan amounts disbursed; (3) whether the bank has any instructions from SRLM or NABARD to credit-link SHGs with a specific grading score or higher; (4) the reason given by [bank name] for not credit-linking SHG [name] — if on record. You can also file with the SRLM to ask whether your SHG's bank linkage application was forwarded to the bank and what the SRLM's response was. NABARD monitors bank linkage performance through the Self Help Group – Bank Linkage Programme (SHG-BLP) — RTI with NABARD's regional office can yield district and bank-wise performance data.

Where does the second appeal go for an RTI filed with the Central Ministry about DAY-NRLM, versus an RTI filed with the SRLM?

The second appeal authority depends on which public authority you filed the original RTI with. If you filed with the CPIO of the Ministry of Rural Development (the Central Government body, via rtionline.gov.in), then the First Appeal goes to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the Ministry, and the Second Appeal under Section 19(3) goes to the Central Information Commission (CIC), New Delhi. However, if you filed with the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) — which is a state government society — or with a block or district-level SRLM office, these are state public authorities. Their Second Appeal goes to the State Information Commission (SIC) of your state. In practice, for SHG-level grievances about CIF, revolving funds, grading, and bank linkage, the SRLM is the more relevant authority — and so the SIC of your state will typically be your second appeal forum.

Home/Guides/How to File RTI for DAY-NRLM — SHG Community Investment Fund, Revolving Fund and Bank Linkage

Central Government

How to File RTI for DAY-NRLM — SHG Community Investment Fund, Revolving Fund and Bank Linkage

Step-by-step guide for SHG members and rural women to file an RTI under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) for Community Investment Fund (CIF) disbursement status, revolving fund releases, SHG grading criteria, Bank Linkage Programme data, and Aajeevika Grameen Express vehicle allocation. Covers both Ministry of Rural Development and State Rural Livelihood Mission levels. Includes a ready-to-use sample RTI draft.

Updated 1 Jun 2026

Quick Facts

MinistryMinistry of Rural Development

Address RTI ToCPIO, Ministry of Rural Development, Krishi Bhawan, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi – 110001

Application Fee₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Free for BPL cardholders.

Response Time30 days from receipt (Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005). 48 hours if the matter involves life or liberty.

File Online Athttps://rtionline.gov.in

All information on this page is based on the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 22 of 2005) and the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. First Appeal: Section 19(1). Second Appeal to CIC/SIC: Section 19(3).

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) is India's largest rural poverty alleviation programme, operated by the Ministry of Rural Development. It aims to build sustainable livelihoods for rural poor households — particularly women — by organising them into Self-Help Groups (SHGs), connecting groups into Village Organisations (VOs) and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs), providing them financial support through Community Investment Funds (CIF) and revolving funds, and linking them with formal credit through banks.

DAY-NRLM reaches over 10 crore rural households across all states. However, because the Mission is implemented through State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) — state-level societies with their own governance structures — SHG members often find it difficult to obtain written answers about fund delays, grading decisions, bank linkage failures, or scheme eligibility. RTI is the most direct and legally enforceable route to obtain this information in writing.

The DAY-NRLM Architecture: Understanding the Two Levels

DAY-NRLM has a two-tier structure that directly affects which public authority you must file RTI with:

Level	Body	RTI Authority	Second Appeal
Central level	Ministry of Rural Development, DAY-NRLM Mission Management Unit, New Delhi	CPIO, Ministry of Rural Development (via rtionline.gov.in)	Central Information Commission (CIC)
State level	State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) — e.g., BRLPS (Bihar), SERP (Andhra Pradesh), KSRLM (Karnataka), UMEED (J&K)	PIO of the SRLM / State Mission Director's office	State Information Commission (SIC) of your state
District / Block level	District Programme Management Unit (DPMU) / Block Programme Manager (BPM)	PIO of the DPMU / Block office	State Information Commission (SIC)

For SHG-level issues — CIF not received, revolving fund delayed, grading disputes, bank linkage denial — file RTI with the SRLM or the Block Programme Manager's office. The SRLM holds the implementation records.

For national policy data — state-wise CIF releases, Bank Linkage Programme targets, Aajeevika Grameen Express guidelines, inter-state performance comparisons — file with the Ministry of Rural Development on rtionline.gov.in.

What DAY-NRLM Information Can You Seek Through RTI?

Community Investment Fund (CIF): RTI can reveal whether CIF funds have been released by the Ministry to your state's SRLM, whether the SRLM has allocated funds down to the district and block level, and whether your SHG has been placed in the queue for CIF. If funds are stuck at an intermediate level, RTI pinpoints exactly where.

SHG Grading and Panchasutra Compliance: Grading is the gateway to CIF — only SHGs that meet the minimum grade are eligible. RTI can provide a copy of your SHG's grading scorecard, the name of the grader, the minimum qualifying score, and whether any procedural error occurred (such as grading without a site visit).

Revolving Fund: RTI can establish whether your SHG's revolving fund application was received by the block/SRLM, the status of processing, and any circulars or orders governing eligibility and release timelines.

Bank Linkage Programme: RTI with the SRLM or Lead Bank can expose whether bank-level performance targets are being met and why a specific SHG's credit-linkage application was not progressed.

Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY): RTI can obtain AGEY guidelines, route approval criteria, SHG eligibility conditions, and the list of SHGs already approved in your district — helping your group build a stronger application or challenge a rejection.

The Panchasutra: Why Grading Records Matter

The Panchasutra — five core principles of SHG functioning — governs access to DAY-NRLM financial resources:

Principle	What Is Assessed
Regular meetings	Meeting frequency and attendance records
Regular savings	Consistency of member savings in group account
Inter-loaning	Lending of group corpus to members and recovery
Timely repayment	Loan recovery rate within the group
Maintenance of accounts	Passbook, cash book, ledger up to date

If your SHG was denied CIF or a revolving fund based on a grading decision, the grading scorecard — obtainable through RTI with the SRLM or Block office — is the document that will tell you whether the assessment was conducted correctly and whether the score was calculated accurately.

Where to File

For SHG-level grievances (CIF pending, revolving fund not released, grading dispute, bank linkage denial): File RTI with the State Rural Livelihood Mission of your state. The SRLM's name and address vary by state — look for the State Mission Director's office. In many states you can also file with the District Programme Management Unit (DPMU) or the Block Programme Manager's office for block-level data.

For national policy, scheme guidelines, and state-level fund releases: File on rtionline.gov.in → Ministry of Rural Development → DAY-NRLM.

For bank linkage performance: File with the Lead Bank or Regional Rural Bank of your district (public authorities under the RTI Act).

What Specific Information Can You Ask For?

CIF and revolving fund:

State-wise CIF released by MoRD to each SRLM for financial years XXXX-XX and XXXX-XX — amount sanctioned, released, and pending
Whether CIF allocation has been made for Block/District for the current financial year, and the amount allocated
Copy of the revolving fund disbursement guidelines or circular governing eligibility and release timelines for SHGs

SHG grading: 4. Copy of the grading scorecard for SHG Name, Block, District — marks awarded against each Panchasutra criterion and total score 5. Minimum qualifying score required for CIF eligibility and the grading methodology document / circular in force

Bank Linkage Programme: 6. Bank Linkage Programme targets for state/district for financial year XXXX-XX and actual SHGs credit-linked and total loan amount disbursed 7. Reason, if on record, for non-progression of bank linkage application of SHG Name with Bank Name, Branch

Aajeevika Grameen Express: 8. Complete guidelines for AGEY — eligibility criteria, vehicle grant amount, route selection criteria, and application procedure 9. List of SHGs approved under AGEY in district as on date, with vehicle type and route details

Appeals

First Appeal (Section 19(1)): File with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the same public authority within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable.

Second Appeal (Section 19(3)):

For Ministry of Rural Development (Central): appeal to the Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days of the first appellate order or its non-receipt.
For SRLM or state/district/block-level bodies: appeal to the State Information Commission (SIC) of your state within 90 days.

The CIC or SIC may impose a penalty of ₹250 per day (up to ₹25,000) on the CPIO/PIO under Section 20 of the RTI Act for unjustified non-disclosure.

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO),
Ministry of Rural Development,
Krishi Bhawan, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road,
New Delhi – 110001

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — DAY-NRLM Community Investment Fund Disbursement, Revolving Fund Releases, SHG Grading Criteria, and Bank Linkage Programme Data

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], member of Self-Help Group [SHG Name], residing at [Village, Gram Panchayat, Block, District, State], submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, to seek the following information pertaining to the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM):

SHG / applicant details:
  SHG Name: [Name of Self-Help Group]
  SHG Registration / MIS Code: [If available]
  Village / Gram Panchayat: [Name]
  Block: [Name]
  District: [Name]
  State: [Name]
  Period in question: [Financial Year or Month/Year]

Information sought:

1. State-wise details of Community Investment Fund (CIF) released by the Ministry of Rural Development under DAY-NRLM to each State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) for the financial years [XXXX-XX] and [XXXX-XX] — including the amount sanctioned, amount released, and amount pending release for each state.

2. The approved criteria and methodology prescribed by the Ministry / DAY-NRLM for grading Self-Help Groups (SHGs), including the Panchasutra compliance parameters and the minimum score required for a group to be eligible for Community Investment Fund.

3. The revolving fund release policy under DAY-NRLM — specifically: (a) the eligibility criteria for an SHG to receive a revolving fund; (b) the process and timeline from SHG application to fund credit; (c) any circular, order, or guidelines issued by the Ministry / DAY-NRLM governing revolving fund disbursement.

4. State-wise Bank Linkage Programme performance data for the financial year [XXXX-XX] — including: (a) the target number of SHGs to be credit-linked with banks; (b) the actual number of SHGs credit-linked; (c) the total loan amount disbursed; and (d) the average loan amount per SHG in each state.

5. The eligibility criteria, vehicle allocation procedure, and approval process for the Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) — including: (a) the application procedure for an SHG to obtain a vehicle under AGEY; (b) the criteria for route selection; (c) the state-wise number of vehicles approved and deployed under AGEY as on [date].

6. Any circular, guideline, or order issued by the Ministry of Rural Development / DAY-NRLM in the last two years relating to the release of CIF to SHGs through SRLMs.

I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. 10 [via online payment; Reference No.: [Payment Ref]].

I request the above information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Complete Address]
Phone: [Your 10-digit Mobile Number]
Email: [[email protected]]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Replace all text in [square brackets] with your actual details before filing. Do not include the brackets in your submission.

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