Can I use RTI to get my own medical records from a Delhi government hospital?

Yes. Government hospitals are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005. You are entitled to certified copies of your own medical records — case sheets, investigation reports, prescription slips, and discharge summaries. File an RTI with the hospital's PIO specifying the registration number, treatment dates, and the specific records you need. This right has been affirmed by multiple orders of the Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions.

Can I get medical records of a deceased family member through RTI?

Yes. As the legal heir or next-of-kin of a deceased patient, you can request certified copies of medical records through RTI. State in your application your relationship to the deceased and attach a copy of the death certificate. The hospital may ask for proof of relationship before furnishing records, but this is a legitimate procedural requirement — not a basis for refusal.

A Delhi government hospital refused to treat my family member in an emergency. Can RTI help?

RTI can help you obtain a written record of what happened and what action was taken on any complaint you filed. However, for an emergency denial of treatment, more immediate remedies include approaching the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) grievance cell, and if serious negligence occurred, approaching the Delhi Medical Council. RTI can be used alongside these remedies to create a documented record.

Which are the major Delhi government hospitals I can file RTI against?

All hospitals administered by the Directorate of Health Services, GNCTD are public authorities under the RTI Act. These include AIIMS (Central Government, not GNCTD), Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital (Central Govt), Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, and all Delhi government dispensaries. For AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital, file at rtionline.gov.in as they are Central Government hospitals under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

What if the Delhi government hospital does not respond within 30 days?

File a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the hospital or the Directorate of Health Services within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. If unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal with the Delhi Information Commission (DIC) under Section 19(3) within 90 days. Note: AIIMS, Safdarjung, RML Hospital, and Kalawati Saran Hospital are Central Government hospitals — their second appeals go to the CIC.

Home/Guides/How to File RTI with Delhi Government Hospitals (GNCTD Health Department)

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How to File RTI with Delhi Government Hospitals (GNCTD Health Department)

Step-by-step guide to file an RTI application with Delhi government hospitals or the Directorate of Health Services, GNCTD for medical records, treatment complaints, drug availability, and hospital facilities. Includes a ready-to-use sample RTI draft.

Updated 24 May 2026

Quick Facts

MinistryGovernment of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD)

Address RTI ToPublic Information Officer (PIO) at the relevant hospital or the Directorate of Health Services

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://rti.delhi.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).

Delhi government hospitals — administered by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) — are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005. These include major hospitals such as Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital, and all GNCTD-run dispensaries.

Citizens use RTI against Delhi government hospitals to obtain certified copies of medical records, follow up on treatment complaints, and get information about drug and facility availability.

Important distinction: AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Medical College are Central Government hospitals under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. For these hospitals, file at rtionline.gov.in, and second appeals go to the Central Information Commission (CIC). For GNCTD hospitals, file at rti.delhi.gov.in, and second appeals go to the Delhi Information Commission (DIC).

What Can You Achieve with an RTI to Delhi Government Hospitals?

Obtain certified copies of medical records — case sheets, investigation reports, prescription slips, discharge summaries
Get the action taken on a treatment complaint — denial of care, negligence, or staff misconduct
Know whether a specific medicine is available in the hospital pharmacy or has been indented
Get information about facility availability — ICU beds, dialysis, Ayushman Bharat empanelment
Obtain records of a deceased family member (as next-of-kin/legal heir)
Know the budget allocated and expenditure by the hospital for a specific service or period

Where to File: The Right Authority

For most purposes:

Medical records and treatment complaints: File with the PIO at the specific hospital where treatment was received
Policy and budget matters across hospitals: File with the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), GNCTD

On the Delhi RTI portal at rti.delhi.gov.in, select: Directorate of Health Services or the specific hospital if listed.

How to File: Step by Step

Step 1: Gather Your Details

The hospital name and OPD/IPD registration number
The patient's name and dates of treatment
The specific records or information you need
Your complaint reference number if you have already lodged a complaint with the hospital

Step 2: Draft Your Application

For medical records, list each type of record explicitly (case sheet, prescription slips, lab reports, discharge summary). For complaints, cite the complaint reference number. The sample draft above covers all major scenarios.

Step 3: File Online

File at rti.delhi.gov.in and pay ₹10 online, or submit in person at the hospital's RTI cell or the DHS office.

Step 4: Appeals

If there is no response within 30 days (or within 48 hours if the matter involves life or liberty of the patient — Section 7(1) proviso), file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority at the hospital or DHS within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day period, whichever is applicable. For a Second Appeal, approach the Delhi Information Commission (DIC) under Section 19(3) within 90 days.

What Specific Information Can You Ask For?

Medical records:

Certified copies of case sheet, OPD/IPD registration record, prescription slips, investigation reports, and discharge summary for patient Name bearing registration No. for the period dates
Operation notes and anaesthesia record, if surgery was performed

Treatment complaint:

Action taken on complaint Ref. No. dated DD/MM/YYYY — whether inquiry initiated, outcome, and action taken against responsible staff
Whether any adverse incident report (as per GNCTD/NMC protocols) was filed in connection with the treatment of patient Name on Date

Drug / facility availability:

Whether Medicine Name is available in the hospital pharmacy / is in the GNCTD Essential Medicines List
Current number of functional ICU / dialysis / ventilator beds at Hospital Name

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Public Information Officer (PIO),
[Hospital Name],
[Hospital Address]

OR

To,
The Public Information Officer (PIO),
Directorate of Health Services, GNCTD,
[DHS Address]

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — Medical Records / Treatment Complaint / Hospital Facilities

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], residing at [Your Full Address], submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, to seek the following information:

Patient / Case details:
  Patient Name: [Full Name]
  Relationship to applicant: [Self / Spouse / Parent / Child]
  Hospital Name: [Hospital Name]
  OPD/IPD Registration No.: [Registration Number]
  Date(s) of Treatment: [DD/MM/YYYY to DD/MM/YYYY]
  Ward / Department: [Ward/Department Name]
  Subject: [Medical Records / Treatment Complaint / Drug Availability / Infrastructure]

Information sought:

1. [For medical records] Certified copies of all medical records pertaining to patient [Name] bearing registration number [XXX], including OPD/IPD case sheet, prescription slips, investigation reports (blood tests, X-rays, scans), operation notes (if applicable), and discharge summary.

2. [For treatment complaint] The action taken on the complaint submitted on [DD/MM/YYYY] regarding [describe the issue — negligence, denial of treatment, misconduct by staff] for patient [Name], and the present status of the inquiry or action initiated.

3. [For drug availability] Whether [Medicine Name] is available in the hospital's pharmacy / drug store for patients. If not available, the reason and whether it has been indented from the Central Medical Stores Organisation (CMSO) or the Delhi Medical Stores Organisation (DMSO).

4. [For hospital facilities] Information about [specific facility — ICU beds, dialysis machines, ambulance availability, Ayushman Bharat tie-up, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) empanelment] at [Hospital Name].

5. The name and designation of the officer responsible for the above matter.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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