In short: To file RTI in India, write a plain application to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the relevant public authority, pay a fee of ₹10 (for central government bodies), and expect a response within 30 days. If refused or ignored, you can file a first appeal and then a second appeal before the Information Commission.
Key points
- The Right to Information Act 2005 gives every Indian citizen the right to ask for information held by public authorities — both government departments and bodies substantially funded by the government.
- For central government bodies, the application fee is ₹10, payable by cash, demand draft, banker’s cheque, or Indian Postal Order; many states have their own fee rules, so check the relevant State RTI Rules before applying.
- The PIO must respond within 30 days; if the information concerns the life or liberty of a person, the deadline drops to 48 hours.
- If your application is rejected or you receive an unsatisfactory reply, you have the right to file a first appeal with the First Appellate Authority within 30 days, and a second appeal with the Central or State Information Commission within 90 days.
- BPL (Below Poverty Line) applicants are fully exempt from paying any fee under the central RTI rules — you will need to attach a copy of your BPL certificate.
- You can also file online through the RTI Online portal managed by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT); the portal accepts digital payment of the fee.
What is the RTI Act and who can use it?
The Right to Information Act 2005 is a central law that entitles any citizen of India to request information from a “public authority” — any body established or controlled by the government or substantially financed by government funds.
This includes central ministries, state departments, public sector undertakings, local bodies like municipal corporations, and many statutory bodies. Private companies are generally not covered unless they are substantially government-funded.
You do not need to give any reason for your request. You only need to be an Indian citizen — there is no minimum age specified in the Act, though in practice adults or guardians file on behalf of minors.
How to file RTI: the step-by-step process
Step 1 — Identify the right public authority
Before you write anything, identify which public authority holds the information you want. Sending your application to the wrong body wastes time. If you are unsure, you can ask any PIO to transfer your application to the correct authority — the Act allows this transfer within five days.
Step 2 — Draft your application
There is no prescribed format under the central RTI rules. Write in English, Hindi, or the official language of the area. Your application must include:
- Your full name and contact address (or email address if filing online).
- A clear, specific description of the information you want — the more precise your questions, the easier it is for the PIO to respond and the harder it is for them to refuse.
- A statement that you are a citizen of India.
- If you are a BPL applicant, a request for fee exemption and a copy of your BPL certificate.
Avoid vague requests like “send me all files related to the road project.” Instead, ask for specific documents, dates, names, or figures.
Step 3 — Pay the prescribed fee
For applications to central government bodies, the fee is ₹10. States set their own fees under their respective RTI rules — check the rules for the relevant state. Payment modes accepted typically include cash (at the office), demand draft, banker’s cheque, or Indian Postal Order. For the online portal, net banking and cards are accepted.
Step 4 — Submit your application
You can submit your application in two ways:
Offline: Deliver it in person to the PIO’s office or send it by post (registered post is recommended so you have proof of delivery). Address it to the “Public Information Officer” of the specific department.
Online (Central government bodies): Visit the RTI Online portal at rtionline.gov.in, register, fill in the form, attach documents if needed, and pay the fee digitally. You will receive an acknowledgement with a registration number — save this.
Many states also have their own online RTI portals. Check the relevant state government website.
Step 5 — Wait for the response
The PIO must reply within 30 days. If the information relates to the life or liberty of a person, the response must come within 48 hours. If your application was transferred to another public authority, an additional five days are added to the timeline.
If the PIO fails to respond within the deadline, it is deemed a refusal and you can proceed to appeal.
What to do if your RTI is rejected or unanswered
First appeal
If the PIO rejects your application, gives an incomplete answer, or does not respond at all, you can file a first appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — typically an officer senior to the PIO within the same public authority.
You must file the first appeal within 30 days of receiving the refusal (or within 30 days of the deadline expiring if there was no response). The FAA must decide within 30 days, extendable to 45 days with reasons.
Second appeal
If you are still unsatisfied after the first appeal, you can file a second appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC) for central government bodies, or the relevant State Information Commission (SIC) for state-level authorities.
This must be filed within 90 days of the FAA’s order (or the expiry of the FAA’s deadline). The Commission can impose a penalty on the PIO of up to ₹250 per day of delay, subject to a maximum of ₹25,000, and can also recommend disciplinary action.
Offline vs online RTI: a quick comparison
| Feature | Offline (postal / in-person) | Online (RTI Online portal) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable authorities | Central and state government bodies | Central government ministries and departments (check portal for coverage) |
| Fee payment | Cash, demand draft, IPO, banker’s cheque | Net banking, debit/credit card |
| Acknowledgement | Postal acknowledgement (if sent by registered post) | Instant digital receipt with registration number |
| Tracking | Manual follow-up required | Status trackable on the portal |
| Document attachment | Physical copies enclosed | Digital upload (check file size limits on the portal) |
What information can be refused?
The Act lists specific categories of information that are exempt from disclosure. These include information that would prejudicially affect national security or sovereignty, cabinet papers and deliberations, personal information that has no relationship to any public activity, and information that would constitute a breach of parliamentary privilege, among others.
However, even exempt information can sometimes be disclosed if the public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm. If your request is refused on exemption grounds, the PIO must tell you which specific section of the Act applies — a blanket refusal without citing a section is itself grounds for appeal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file an RTI application if I do not know the exact name of the public authority?
Yes. File your application with the public authority you believe is most likely to hold the information and request a transfer if needed. Under the RTI Act, a PIO who receives a misdirected application must transfer it to the correct authority within five days. However, identifying the right authority upfront saves time, so check the relevant ministry’s or department’s website first.
Is there a word or page limit for an RTI application?
The central RTI rules do not specify a word or page limit for the application itself, but additional fees may be charged for providing information — for example, for photocopies beyond a certain number of pages. Keep your questions concise and specific. The RTI Online portal does have a character limit for the information fields; check the portal guidelines before submitting.
How do I file RTI if I am from a state other than where the public authority is located?
You can file by post from anywhere in India or use the online portal for central government bodies. There is no requirement to be physically present in the same state or city as the public authority. Make sure you address the application to the correct PIO and use the correct fee payment mode accepted by that authority.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change; verify against the primary sources cited and consult a qualified advocate for your situation.
