RTI Correspondence Details for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) – Complete Guide
The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 empowers citizens to seek information from public authorities, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in governance. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) plays a pivotal role in India’s foreign relations, and it has established a well-defined mechanism to facilitate RTI applications for various divisions — including general administration, consular services, passports, and cultural affairs.
Below is a comprehensive guide to the official correspondence details, authorities, and submission process for RTI applications related to the Ministry of External Affairs.
1. General RTI Correspondence (All Divisions except CPV, Passport, ICCR, ICWA, and Indian Missions/Posts abroad)
Central Public Information Officer (CPIO):
Shri Guru Prakash
Under Secretary (RTI)
Ministry of External Affairs
Room No. 1024, Jawahar Lal Nehru Bhawan, 23-D, Janpath, New Delhi
📞 Phone: 011-23085300, 011-23085227
📧 Email: usrti@mea.gov.in, sorti@mea.gov.in
🌐 Website: www.mea.gov.in
First Appellate Authority (FAA):
Dr. B. Sriram
Director (ADP)
Ministry of External Affairs
Room No. 4095, Jawahar Lal Nehru Bhawan, New Delhi
📞 Phone: 011-23085363, 011-23085364
📧 Email: diradp@mea.gov.in
Nodal Officer (Proactive Disclosure):
Shri B. Vanlalvawna, Joint Secretary (Admin)
2. Submission of RTI Application under MEA
RTI applications seeking information from the Ministry of External Affairs must be addressed to the Under Secretary (RTI), RTI Cell, MEA at the above-mentioned address.
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Application Fee: ₹10/- (Ten Rupees only)
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Payment Mode:
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Indian Postal Order (IPO)
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Bank Draft / Banker’s Cheque payable to “PAO, MEA, New Delhi”
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Citizens seeking information from Indian Embassies, High Commissions, or Consulates must file RTI applications directly to the concerned mission/post by post or email, and the RTI fee can be paid through the e-IPO facility available online.
3. Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division
Central Public Information Officer (CPIO):
Shri S.R.H. Fahmi
Director (CPV)
Room No. 06, Patiala House Annexe, CPV Division,
Ministry of External Affairs, Tilak Marg, New Delhi – 110001
📞 Phone: 011-23386760
📧 Email: dircpv1@mea.gov.in
First Appellate Authority (FAA):
Dr. Binoy George
Joint Secretary (CPV)
Room No. 20, Patiala House Annexe, CPV Division,
Ministry of External Affairs, Tilak Marg, New Delhi – 110001
📞 Phone: 011-23387104, 011-23782821
📧 Email: jscpv@mea.gov.in
4. Passport Issuance in India (Passport and Seva Project – PSP Division)
Central Public Information Officer (CPIO):
Ms. Somica Srivastava
Under Secretary (PSP-I)
Room No. 29, Patiala House Annexe, PSP Division,
Tilak Marg, New Delhi – 110001
📞 Phone: 011-23388648, 011-23071370
📧 Email: uspsp1@mea.gov.in
First Appellate Authority (FAA):
Dr. K. J. Srinivasa
Joint Secretary (Passport Seva Project & Chief Passport Officer)
Room No. 8, Patiala House Annexe, PSP Division,
Tilak Marg, New Delhi – 110001
📞 Phone: 011-23387013, 011-23384536, 011-23071370
📧 Email: jscpo@mea.gov.in
5. Other Divisions and Related Institutions
For RTI matters pertaining to specific cultural or international institutions, applicants may contact the following:
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Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR):
Visit www.iccr.gov.in/rti -
Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA):
Visit www.icwa.in/show_content.php -
Indian Missions/Posts Abroad:
Visit www.mea.gov.in and navigate to the relevant mission/post’s RTI section.
6. Important Notes
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Ensure that your RTI application clearly specifies the information sought from the records of the Ministry of External Affairs.
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Include your name, full postal address, contact number, and email ID for official correspondence.
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The 30-day time limit under the RTI Act applies from the date the application is received by the public authority.
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In case of non-receipt or unsatisfactory response, you may file a First Appeal to the designated FAA within 30 days of receiving the reply (or after 30 days if no reply is received).
Conclusion
The Ministry of External Affairs has streamlined its RTI structure to ensure efficiency and transparency in responding to citizen queries. By following the correct procedure and addressing applications to the appropriate authority, citizens can effectively seek information related to India’s external affairs, consular services, and passport administration.
For assistance in drafting or filing RTI applications, or for appeal representation, you can reach out to the RTI Lawyers team at Legal Light Consulting.
We specialize in RTI advisory, compliance, and appellate representation across all ministries and government departments.
🔹 RTI Lawyers – Legal Light Consulting (LLC Lawyer Section)
📍 Expert RTI Legal Assistance | Transparent. Timely. Trusted.
🌐 Visit: www.rtilawyers.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): RTI Applications for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
1. Who should I address my RTI application to for general MEA matters?
For all general matters (excluding Consular, Passport, Visa, ICCR, ICWA, and Indian Missions abroad), RTI applications should be addressed to:
Shri Guru Prakash
Under Secretary (RTI)
Ministry of External Affairs, Room No. 1024,
Jawahar Lal Nehru Bhawan, 23-D, Janpath, New Delhi.
📧 usrti@mea.gov.in | sorti@mea.gov.in
2. Who is the First Appellate Authority (FAA) for the Ministry of External Affairs?
The First Appellate Authority (FAA) for general RTI matters in MEA is:
Dr. B. Sriram
Director (ADP), Ministry of External Affairs
Room No. 4095, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, New Delhi.
📧 diradp@mea.gov.in
3. What is the official fee for filing an RTI with the Ministry of External Affairs?
The prescribed fee is ₹10/- (Rupees Ten only). It can be paid through:
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Indian Postal Order (IPO)
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Bank Draft or Banker’s Cheque payable to “PAO, MEA, New Delhi.”
4. Can I file RTI applications with Indian Embassies or High Commissions abroad?
Yes. Indian citizens can directly file RTI applications with Indian Embassies, High Commissions, or Consulates abroad by post (Dak) or email.
The RTI fee can be paid through the e-IPO (Electronic Indian Postal Order) facility available online.
5. Who is the RTI officer for the Consular, Passport, and Visa (CPV) Division?
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) for the CPV Division is:
Shri S.R.H. Fahmi
Director (CPV), Ministry of External Affairs
Room No. 06, Patiala House Annexe, Tilak Marg, New Delhi – 110001.
📧 dircpv1@mea.gov.in
6. Who is the First Appellate Authority for the CPV Division?
The First Appellate Authority (FAA) for CPV matters is:
Dr. Binoy George
Joint Secretary (CPV), Ministry of External Affairs
Room No. 20, Patiala House Annexe, Tilak Marg, New Delhi – 110001.
📧 jscpv@mea.gov.in
7. How can I file an RTI related to Passport issuance in India?
RTI applications concerning passport issuance should be sent to the Passport and Seva Project (PSP) Division of MEA.
CPIO:
Ms. Somica Srivastava, Under Secretary (PSP-I)
📧 uspsp1@mea.gov.in
FAA:
Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, Joint Secretary (Passport Seva Project & Chief Passport Officer)
📧 jscpo@mea.gov.in
8. How can I find RTI contact details for ICCR and ICWA?
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For Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR): Visit www.iccr.gov.in/rti
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For Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA): Visit www.icwa.in/show_content.php
9. Where can I find RTI contact details for Indian Missions and Posts abroad?
RTI-related contact details for Indian Embassies and Consulates abroad can be found on the MEA website:
👉 www.mea.gov.in
10. What should I include in my RTI application to MEA?
Your RTI application should include:
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Your full name, address, and contact information
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A clear and specific description of the information sought
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The prescribed ₹10 fee
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Signature and date
11. What is the time limit for getting a response to my RTI application?
Under the RTI Act, public authorities must respond within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application.
If no reply is received, or if the reply is unsatisfactory, you can file a First Appeal within 30 days to the designated FAA.
12. Who oversees proactive RTI disclosures in the MEA?
The Joint Secretary (Admin) serves as the Nodal Officer for Proactive Disclosure in MEA. Currently, this role is held by Shri B. Vanlalvawna.
13. Can RTI Lawyers assist me in drafting or filing RTI applications?
Yes. The RTI Lawyers team at Legal Light Consulting (LLC Lawyer Section) provides:
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Drafting of RTI applications and appeals
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Legal representation in RTI-related cases
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Guidance for filing RTI requests with central and state ministries
You can reach us at:
🌐 www.rtilawyers.com
14. What happens if I don’t receive a reply to my RTI within 30 days?
If you do not receive a response within 30 days, or if the information provided is incomplete or unsatisfactory, you can file a First Appeal to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) within 30 days from the date the response was due.
15. What kind of information can I request from MEA under the RTI Act?
You can request information related to:
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MEA’s administrative records
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Consular, visa, or passport policies
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Expenditure and project details
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Recruitment or staffing information (as permitted under the Act)
However, classified information exempt under Section 8 of the RTI Act cannot be disclosed for security or diplomatic reasons.
16. What are the contact numbers for RTI Cell, MEA?
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General RTI Cell (MEA): 011-23085300 / 011-23085227
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CPV Division: 011-23386760
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Passport Division (PSP): 011-23388648 / 011-23071370
17. Can foreign nationals file RTI applications with MEA?
No. The Right to Information Act, 2005 is applicable only to Indian citizens. Foreign nationals cannot file RTI applications under this Act.
18. How do I ensure my RTI application is not rejected?
To avoid rejection:
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Clearly identify the public authority (e.g., CPV, PSP, ICCR, etc.)
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Use the prescribed fee and payment method
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Provide complete personal and contact details
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Frame specific and concise questions related to existing records only
19. Is there an online facility to submit RTI to MEA?
Yes. Indian citizens can submit applications through the RTI Online Portal at https://rtionline.gov.in and select Ministry of External Affairs from the list of public authorities.
20. How can RTI Lawyers help in appeals and compliance?
RTI Lawyers at Legal Light Consulting (LLC Lawyer Section) offer:
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Assistance in first and second appeals
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Drafting of legal representations
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Advisory services for complex RTI matters and rejections
Our experts ensure that your application or appeal is properly structured, compliant, and legally sound.