How to File an RTI Online in 10 Minutes – Step by Step Guide

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The Right to Information Act 2005 is one of the most powerful tools available to an ordinary Indian citizen. It allows you to ask any government department — from your local municipality to a central ministry — for information, and they are legally required to respond within 30 days.

Filing an RTI used to require visiting an office and sending a physical letter. Today, you can file it online in under 10 minutes from your phone. This guide shows you exactly how.

What You Can Ask Through RTI

You can request almost any information held by a public authority. Common uses include:

Status of your government scheme application (ration card, pension, housing, etc.)
Details of government spending and tenders in your area
Why your complaint or application has not been processed
Copies of documents like inspection reports, decisions, or orders
Status of a road, drainage, or public works project
Details of a government employee’s qualification or appointment

Who can file RTI? Any citizen of India. You do not need a lawyer. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The fee is just ₹10 for Central Government departments. BPL cardholders are fully exempt from all fees.

Online RTI: Step-by-Step Process

The Central Government’s RTI portal is at rtionline.gov.in. This covers all central ministries and departments. For state government departments, check your state’s RTI portal (most states have one).

Register on rtionline.gov.in Click “Submit Request” → Click “I have read and understood the above” → Register with your name, email, and mobile number. You will get a login ID.

Select the Ministry or Department Choose the ministry or department you want to ask. For example: Ministry of Agriculture for PM Kisan issues, Ministry of Health for Ayushman Bharat, etc. If unsure, you can search by keyword.

Write Your Application Text In the text box, clearly state what information you need. Be specific. Example: “Please provide the current status of my PM Kisan application registered under Aadhaar number XXXX, and the reasons why installments have not been released since [date].”

Enter Your Personal Details Fill in your name, address, and contact details. These are legally required under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act. You may use a pen name but must provide a real address for the department to send the reply.

Pay ₹10 Fee Online Pay ₹10 using debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI. BPL cardholders can upload their BPL card and get a full fee exemption. Once paid, your application is submitted.

Note Your Registration Number You will receive a registration number by email and SMS. Save this — you will use it to track your application’s status and for any follow-up action.

What Happens After You File

The Public Information Officer (PIO) of the department must respond within 30 days. If the matter concerns the life or liberty of a person, they must respond within 48 hours.

The response will either provide the information, transfer your request to the right department, or give a valid legal reason for not providing it (such as national security exemptions).

You can track the status of your application at rtionline.gov.in using your registration number.

What If You Don’t Get a Reply?

If you receive no response within 30 days, or if you are unhappy with the response, you can file a First Appeal — still free, still online. The First Appellate Authority must respond within 30–45 days.

If still unsatisfied, you can file a Second Appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC) at cic.gov.in. This is also free. The CIC has the power to impose a penalty of ₹250/day (up to ₹25,000) on the officer who delayed or denied information without valid reason.

Tips for writing a good RTI: Be specific about what you want. Ask for specific documents or records rather than vague questions. One application can have multiple questions, but keep them related to one subject. Avoid asking for opinions — ask for records, decisions, and documents.

State Government RTI Portals

The rtionline.gov.in portal is only for central government departments. For state government issues — like ration card, land records, municipal works, state police — you need to file with your state government. Most states have their own RTI portals. Search “[your state name] RTI portal” to find it.

Alternatively, you can use our free RTI Letter Generator on the MeraHaq homepage to generate a properly formatted RTI letter that you can send by post.

Quick Summary

File RTI online at rtionline.gov.in (central govt) or your state RTI portal
Fee: ₹10 only (free for BPL cardholders)
Response required within 30 days
No need to give a reason for your request
Appeal to First Appellate Authority if reply is unsatisfactory
Second Appeal can be filed with the Central Information Commission

All information sourced from rtionline.gov.in and the RTI Act 2005. MeraHaq is not affiliated with the Government of India. Verify details on official portals before taking action.