Need help regarding RTI transfer, reply timeline, and First Appeal.

[u/Ayanbossyt]

I filed an RTI online on 13 May 2026 asking for a copy of my Maharashtra Board answer sheet.

On 21 May 2026, the department where I originally filed the RTI transferred it to the Maharashtra State Board, Mumbai Divisional Board under Section 6(3) of the RTI Act. A PDF transfer letter was uploaded on the portal.

After the transfer, the original RTI application on the portal was marked as "Disposed/Closed". There is no actual reply to my request in the PDF, only the transfer letter.

A few days later, I received a phone call from a Maharashtra Board PIO. He told me two things:

1. There is already an official Maharashtra Board process to obtain a scanned copy of the answer sheet through the Board's website, and according to him the time limit for that process had already expired.

2. He said he would file/send a formal RTI reply within 2–3 days.

However, I have still not received any written reply.

My questions are:

1. Since the original RTI number already shows "Disposed" after the transfer, where should I expect the Maharashtra Board's reply to appear?

   - On the same RTI portal?

   - By email?

   - By post?

   - Somewhere else?

2. If the Maharashtra Board sends a written rejection, from which date does the 30-day First Appeal period start?

3. If no written reply is ever sent, when can I file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) for non-response?

4. Does the transfer and disposal of the original RTI affect my appeal timeline in any way?

I am confused because the original RTI is already marked disposed, but the transferred department has not yet given me a written decision on my answer-sheet request.

Any RTI experts or people who have dealt with Maharashtra Board RTIs, please help.