Right to Information (RTI) Cell

CIRCULAR

The Department of Governance Reforms & Public Grievances, Government of Punjab vide No. 4/5/2021-4GR1/I/225467/2021 dated 09.08.2021 has circulated the relevant part of decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Civil Appeal No.10044 of 2010 titled as “Central Public Information Officer, Supreme Court of India vs. Subbash Chandra Agarwal” in para 59, has defined “Personal Information” under RTI Act, 2005:

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Reading of the aforesaid judicial precedents, in our opinion, would indicate that personal records, including name, address, physical, mental and psychological status, marks obtained, grades and answer sheets, are all treated as personal information. Similarly, professional records, including qualification, performance, evaluation reports, ACRs, disciplinary proceedings, etc. are all personal information. Medical records, treatment, choice of medicine, list of hospitals and doctors visited, findings recorded, including that of the family members, information relating to assets, liabilities, income tax returns, details of investments, lending and borrowing, etc. are personal information. Such personal information is entitled to protection from unwarranted invasion of privacy and conditional access is available when stipulation of larger public interest is satisfied. This list is indicative and not exhaustive.

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In the light of above, the Public Information Officers/ Assistant Public Information Officers are advised to go through the above said decision while responding to the RTI applications through which personal information of an individual is sought, in future, in the interest of the University.

 Sd/-

Deputy Registrar (RTI Cell)