The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 lets any Indian citizen ask a government office for information it holds - copies of files, the status of an application, how money was spent, why a decision was taken. Section 3 of the Act says simply that all citizens shall have the right to information.
For Central government offices, the easiest way to use this right is the official portal rtionline.gov.in. This guide explains who can use it, what it costs, the steps, the time limits, and what to do if you do not get an answer.
Who can file an RTI online
- Indian citizens can file applications on rtionline.gov.in.
- The portal covers Central government ministries, departments and other Central public authorities.
- It does not cover state government offices. The portal clearly warns against filing applications for state public authorities, including the Government of NCT of Delhi, on this site; such applications are returned without refunding the fee.
For a state department, municipal body or state PSU, use that state's RTI portal if it has one, or send a written application with the state's prescribed fee to the department's Public Information Officer (PIO).
RTI fee for Central government offices
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application fee | Rs 10 per application |
| Copies (A3 or smaller paper) | Rs 2 per page |
| Inspection of records | Free for the first hour, then Rs 5 for each extra hour or part of an hour |
| First appeal on rtionline.gov.in | No fee |
| Applicant below poverty line | No fee, if a copy of the BPL certificate is attached |
These rates come from the Right to Information Rules, 2012 of the Central government. States set their own fees for their own offices, so amounts may differ there.
On the portal, payment can be made through internet banking, Visa or Mastercard debit or credit cards, RuPay cards and UPI.
How to file an RTI application online: step by step
- Open rtionline.gov.in and choose the option to submit a request.
- Read the guidelines shown on screen and accept them.
- Select the ministry or department you want information from. Choose carefully, as the request goes to that public authority's PIO.
- Fill in your details. Fields marked with a star (*) are mandatory. You can give your mobile number to get SMS alerts and your email for updates.
- Write your request. The text box allows up to 3,000 characters. Ask for specific facts or documents, for example "certified copies of the file notings on application number X" rather than a general question.
- BPL applicants should select the BPL option and upload the BPL certificate.
- Pay the fee of Rs 10 online and submit.
- Note the registration number. The portal gives a unique registration number for every request. Keep it safe; you will need it to check status and to file an appeal.
You can track your application from the portal's status page or through the email alerts sent to you.
Tips for writing a clear RTI request
- No reason needed. Section 6(2) of the Act says you do not have to explain why you want the information, and you need only give details required to contact you.
- Ask for records, not opinions. The PIO provides information that exists in records. Questions like "why was my file delayed?" work better as "copies of all notings and correspondence on file number X with dates".
- One subject per application. It keeps the reply focused and avoids your request being partly transferred.
- Mention dates, reference numbers and office names wherever you can.
- Language: the Act allows applications in English, Hindi or the official language of the area.
Time limits under the RTI Act
| Situation | Time limit |
|---|---|
| Normal reply from the PIO | 30 days from receiving the request (Section 7(1)) |
| Information concerning the life or liberty of a person | 48 hours (Section 7(1)) |
| Application given to an Assistant PIO | 5 days added to the time limit (Section 5(2)) |
| Wrong office, application transferred | Must be transferred within 5 days (Section 6(3)) |
| Human rights violation information from listed security agencies | 45 days, with approval of the Central Information Commission (Section 24) |
If the office misses the time limit, Section 7(6) says the information must be given free of charge.
When information can be refused
The PIO can turn down a request only for reasons listed in the Act, mainly in Section 8. These include information that would harm the sovereignty, security or economic interests of the country, information a court has forbidden from being published, information that would breach the privilege of Parliament or a state legislature, trade secrets that would harm a third party, information that could endanger someone's life, information that would hamper an ongoing investigation or prosecution, cabinet papers before a decision is completed, and personal information of individuals in certain cases. A refusal must state the reasons and tell you how to appeal.
How to file a first appeal
You can file a first appeal if:
- you got no reply within 30 days, or
- you are not satisfied with the reply or the refusal.
Time limit: within 30 days of the date the reply was due, or of receiving the reply (Section 19(1)). The appellate officer can accept a late appeal if you show a good reason for the delay.
Who hears it: an officer senior in rank to the PIO in the same public authority.
On rtionline.gov.in: choose the first appeal option, enter the registration number of your original application, state your grounds and submit. No fee is charged for the first appeal.
Decision: the first appeal should be decided within 30 days, which can be extended to a total of 45 days with written reasons (Section 19(6)).
Second appeal to the Information Commission
If the first appeal also does not help, you can file a second appeal with the Central Information Commission (for Central offices) or the State Information Commission (for state offices).
- Time limit: within 90 days of the date the first appeal decision was due or was received (Section 19(3)). Late appeals can be accepted for sufficient cause.
- The Commission's decision is binding on the public authority.
- In the appeal, it is the PIO's job to prove that a refusal was justified (Section 19(5)).
Penalty on officers who delay or refuse without reason
Under Section 20, if the Information Commission finds that a PIO refused to accept an application, did not reply in time without reasonable cause, gave false or misleading information, or destroyed the requested information, it can fine the officer Rs 250 for each day of delay, up to a maximum of Rs 25,000. The officer must first be heard before any penalty is imposed.
Help with the portal
The rtionline.gov.in help desk number shown on the portal is 011-24010690 / 011-24010691, working 9 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.
For other everyday government services, see our guides on ration card eKYC and tenant rights and eviction rules in India.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file an RTI application online?
For Central government public authorities the application fee is Rs 10 under the Right to Information Rules, 2012. It is paid online on rtionline.gov.in by internet banking, debit or credit card, RuPay card or UPI. Citizens below the poverty line pay no fee if they attach their BPL certificate.
How many days does the government have to reply to an RTI?
The Public Information Officer must reply within 30 days of receiving the request. If the information concerns the life or liberty of a person, it must be given within 48 hours. Five extra days are added if the application went through an Assistant Public Information Officer.
Do I have to give a reason for asking for information?
No. Section 6(2) of the RTI Act says an applicant does not have to give any reason, or any personal details other than those needed to contact them.
Can I file an RTI to a state government department on rtionline.gov.in?
No. The portal is only for Central government ministries, departments and other Central public authorities. The portal warns that applications to state government bodies, including the Government of NCT of Delhi, will be returned without a refund. Use your state's own RTI portal or send a written application to that office.
What can I do if I get no reply to my RTI?
You can file a first appeal to the officer senior to the Public Information Officer within 30 days after the reply was due. There is no fee for the first appeal on the portal. If you are still not satisfied, a second appeal can be made to the Central or State Information Commission within 90 days.
Is the information free if the reply is late?
Yes. Under Section 7(6) of the Act, if the public authority misses the time limit, the information has to be given free of charge.
