Need to know who ran the Ministry of Minority Affairs over the years? Use Section 6(1) of the RTI Act to get the full list of Secretaries from 2006 to 2026.
You are digging into why a specific minority scholarship scheme changed its criteria back in 2014, or maybe you are tracking the implementation of the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme. You find a policy document, but the signature at the bottom is illegible. You check the official website of the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), but the “About Us” page only lists the current Secretary. Knowing who was in charge isn’t just for history buffs; it is about pinpointing accountability. Whether you are a student journalist or just a curious citizen, you have the right to know who has held the steering wheel of the Ministry since it was carved out in 2006. Here is how you get that list without getting lost in sarkari corridors.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs was created on 29 January 2006 to ensure a focused approach towards the issues relating to the notified minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains). Because it is a “Public Authority” under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, it is legally bound to be transparent about its leadership.
Under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act, every public authority is supposed to proactively publish the names, designations, and other particulars of its officers. This is called “suo motu” disclosure. If the Ministry is following the law perfectly, you should find a “Manual of Particulars of Officers” on their website. However, these lists are often not updated or only show current staff.
When the information you need isn’t on the website, Section 6(1) of the RTI Act 2005 allows any citizen to file a request for information. You do not need to give a reason for why you want the list. You only need to provide your contact details and pay a nominal fee of ₹10. The Ministry must provide the information within 30 days as per Section 7(1) of the Act.
While the RTI Act handles the access, the Public Records Act, 1993, mandates that the Ministry maintains these historical files. Even if a Secretary retired 15 years ago, the record of their tenure must exist. If the Ministry claims the data is “lost,” they are potentially violating record-keeping laws. If you suspect that the lack of transparency is covering up a specific administrative failure or fraud, remember that legal reporting for official misconduct now falls under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which replaced the IPC. For instance, How to file an FIR (and what to do if police refuse) is a useful backup if you encounter actual criminal negligence, but for now, the RTI is your best tool for data.
Before spending ₹10, check if the Ministry has already done the work for you.
minorityaffairs.gov.in.While you can send a physical letter via Speed Post, the online method is faster and easier to track.
rtionline.gov.in.This is where most people fail. If you select the wrong Ministry, your request will be shuffled around, wasting weeks.
In the “Text for RTI Request application” box, be clinical. Avoid long stories. Use this exact structure:
*"Subject: Request for information under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 regarding leadership history.
Details of Information sought:
Note: As per Section 6(3) of the RTI Act, if any part of this information is held by another public authority, please transfer this application to them within 5 days."*
If you want more than just the names, you can also File an RTI online to ask for the official orders of their appointment.
If the PIO claims the information is “personal” under Section 8(1)(j), they are wrong. The tenure of a high-ranking public official is public data. If they reject it or don’t respond within 30 days, you must file a “First Appeal” on the same portal within 30 days of the deadline. This goes to a senior officer (First Appellate Authority) who usually fixes the PIO’s mistake.
For more advanced tips on navigating government data, you can Browse all civic-action playbooks or check out our guide on the Cyber Crime reporting portal if you encounter digital fraud during your research.
Even a simple request for a list of names can hit a bureaucratic wall. Here are the three most common ways this RTI gets stuck and how you can push back:
The "Information Not Held in Compiled Form" Excuse: The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) might reply saying, "The information is not available in a single document and compiling it would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority." This is a classic move to avoid work.
The "Portal Payment Failed" Loop:
The rtionline.gov.in portal is famous for timing out right after you pay your ₹10. If you don't get a Registration Number, your RTI isn't filed, even if the money left your account.
The "Transfer" Trap: The MoMA might try to transfer your RTI to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under Section 6(3), claiming they handle "postings." This adds 5 days to the timeline and leads to a dead end.
Copy, fill in the [highlighted] bits, and send.
Use this in the "Text for RTI Request application" box on the portal. Keep it clinical and precise.
Subject: Request for Information under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 regarding the list of Secretaries of the Ministry.
Details of Information Sought:
- Please provide a chronological list of all individuals who have held the charge of 'Secretary' in the Ministry of Minority Affairs from its inception on 29 January 2006 to the date of this application (28 October 2026).
- For each individual, please provide: (a) Full Name, (b) Date of assumption of charge, and (c) Date of relinquishing charge.
- If a consolidated list is not available, please provide a copy of the 'Incumbency Register' or 'Succession Board' records maintained by the Establishment/Administration section that contains this data.
Note: As per Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, I look forward to receiving this information within 30 days. If any part of this request is held by another public authority, please transfer it under Section 6(3) and inform me.
If they don't reply in 30 days, or give you a vague answer, file a "First Appeal" on the same portal. It’s free.
Grounds for Appeal: Refusal of access to information / Incomplete information provided.
Text: "The CPIO has failed to provide the list of Secretaries as requested in my application dated [Insert Date]. The information sought is basic administrative data that should be proactively disclosed under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act. The CPIO’s claim that the information is 'not compiled' is not a valid ground for rejection under Section 8 or 9. I request the First Appellate Authority to direct the CPIO to provide the requested list within 10 days."
The filing fee is ₹10. If they provide photocopies, they might ask for ₹2 per page. If you are below the poverty line (BPL), the fee is ₹0, provided you upload a copy of your BPL certificate/ration card.
No. Under **Section 8(1)(j)** of the RTI Act, personal information that has no relationship to public activity or interest is exempt. You can only get their official designation, tenure, and official contact details.
Public records are governed by the **Public Records Act, 1993**. Records of "Permanent" nature, like the names of Heads of Departments, cannot be destroyed. If they claim it’s destroyed, ask for a copy of the "Record Retention Schedule" and the "Order of Destruction." Usually, this makes the records "reappear."
Yes. The 30-day limit under **Section 7(1)** refers to calendar days, not working days. If they don't reply by day 31, you have the right to file a First Appeal immediately.
No. Any Indian citizen can file an RTI. There is no age bar. You don't need a lawyer; the law was designed so a common person could use it without "legalese."
Yes. Under **Section 6(1)**, you can file an RTI in English, Hindi, or the official language of the area. The Ministry of Minority Affairs is a Central Ministry, so Hindi and English are both perfectly acceptable.
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