A citizen wishes to INSPECT a public record (rather than obtain a copy) under the right to information. Under the Right to Information Act, 2005:

Section 2(f) of the RTI Act defines 'information' to include any material in any form, and includes RECORDS, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, log-books, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form. The rules further provide that an applicant may be given ACCESS by INSPECTION of such records and take notes, extracts or certified copies. Inspection is accordingly a mode of exercising the right. A public authority must provide access by inspection as a recognised form of supplying 'information'. This makes inspection-driven discovery a legitimate RTI remedy.