How to File RTI Online 2026
Ask Any Question to Government

What the Right to Information Act Allows You to Do

The Right to Information Act 2005 gives every Indian citizen the legal right to request information from any public authority — central or state government department, PSU, local body, or institution funded by government. The public authority must respond within 30 days (48 hours if life or liberty is at stake). Failure to respond is itself an offence under the Act.

Real Examples of What RTI Can Get You

• Why your PM-KISAN payment was blocked — exact reason from the agriculture department
• Why your ration card application was rejected — what criterion was used
• Whether your name is in the SECC database for Ayushman Bharat eligibility
• Copies of Gram Panchayat MGNREGA muster rolls — to check if your wages were correctly reported
• Budget allocation and actual spending for your village's development projects
• Police FIR or charge-sheet in a case you are involved in
• Your own pension calculation details from EPF or government pension department
• Land acquisition records and compensation amounts for your area

File RTI Online at rtionline.gov.in — Free, No Postage Needed

For all central government departments (Ministry of Agriculture, EPFO, UIDAI, Railways, Income Tax etc.), you can file RTI completely online at rtionline.gov.in — no postage, no ₹10 fee, no printing required.

1. 1
   Visit rtionline.gov.inGo to the official RTI portal. Click "Submit Request". Register with your email and mobile number.
2. 2
   Select the Ministry/DepartmentChoose the central ministry or department from the dropdown. For PM-KISAN: Ministry of Agriculture. For EPF: Ministry of Labour. For Aadhaar: UIDAI.
3. 3
   Write Your RTI ApplicationIn the text box, write clearly what information you need. Keep it specific. Example: "Please provide the reason why my PM-KISAN application (Registration No. XXXXX) has not been approved despite submission on DD/MM/YYYY."
4. 4
   Pay ₹10 Fee Online (Waived for BPL)For central RTI online, no fee is charged. For postal applications, pay ₹10 by Indian Postal Order or court fee stamp. BPL cardholders are fully exempt — attach a copy of your BPL ration card.
5. 5
   Submit and Note Registration NumberAfter submission you receive a registration number. Save it — you need it to track the reply status and file appeals if the response is unsatisfactory.
6. 6
   Receive Reply Within 30 DaysThe Public Information Officer (PIO) must respond within 30 days. You will receive an email notification when the reply is uploaded. Check at rtionline.gov.in using your registration number.

How to Write an Effective RTI Application — With Real Templates

Template 1: PM-KISAN Payment Blocked

Template 2: Ration Card Rejection

Key Rules for Writing RTI

• Be specific — "why was my application rejected" is better than "tell me about my application"
• Ask for certified copies of specific documents — not just information
• Number each question (1, 2, 3...) — makes it harder for the PIO to ignore any question
• Do not give unnecessary background — just state what information you need
• Ask for the name of the officer responsible — this creates accountability

What to Do If RTI Reply Is Unsatisfactory — First Appeal & Second Appeal

First Appeal (Within 30 days of reply/no reply)

If the PIO does not reply within 30 days, or the reply is incomplete/incorrect, file a First Appeal to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — typically the senior officer above the PIO in the same department. No fee. File within 30 days of the PIO's reply (or within 30 days of the deadline if no reply was received). The FAA must decide within 30 days.

Second Appeal to Information Commission

If the First Appeal is also unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal to the Central Information Commission (CIC) at cic.gov.in for central departments, or the State Information Commission for state departments. The CIC can impose a penalty of up to ₹25,000 on the PIO for wilful refusal or delay. No fee for second appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions — Verified 2026

• Can I file RTI for state government departments online?+
  rtionline.gov.in only covers central government departments. For state government departments (ration card, MGNREGA, state police, panchayat), you must file on the state's own RTI portal (if available) or by post/in person to the PIO. Most states now have their own online RTI portals — search "[your state] RTI online portal".
• What if I don't know which department to file RTI with?+
  File with the department that you believe is most relevant. If you file with the wrong department, the PIO is legally required to transfer your RTI to the correct department within 5 days and inform you. Your 30-day countdown resets from the date of transfer.
• Can I file RTI in Hindi or my regional language?+
  Yes. You can file RTI in Hindi or in the official language of the state. For central government departments, Hindi is fully accepted. The PIO must provide a reply in the same language as your application where possible. English is also universally accepted.
• Will filing RTI cause any problem for me with the government?+
  No. RTI is a legal right. No government authority can take action against you for filing a valid RTI. Threatening or harassing an RTI applicant is itself a punishable offence. If you face any harassment after filing RTI, report it to the Information Commission and your local police station.

How Rajesh Used RTI to Get His Pension

Rajesh Kumar, a retired government employee from Lucknow, had been waiting 8 months for his pension to start. Multiple office visits produced no results. He filed an RTI application on rtionline.gov.in asking the status of his pension file and the names of officials responsible for delays.

Within 22 days, the department replied with the file status and a processing date. His pension started the following month. "The RTI was the only thing that actually worked," Rajesh says. The entire process cost him just ₹10.

Government Portals & Contact Numbers

• 📌 Central RTI Portal: rtionline.gov.in
• 📌 Central Information Commission: cic.gov.in · 011-26180532
• 📌 Dept of Personnel & Training (RTI Division): dopt.gov.in
• 📌 RTI Helpline: 1800-11-0001 (free, Mon–Fri)
• 📌 National Helpline: 1800-11-0031
• Can I file RTI without internet access? +
  Yes. You can send a physical RTI application by post or hand-deliver it to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned department. Pay the ₹10 fee via Indian Postal Order (IPO) or demand draft. BPL applicants are fully exempt.
• In which language can I file an RTI application? +
  RTI can be filed in Hindi, English, or any official language of the area. For central government departments, Hindi and English are most commonly accepted. For state departments, the local official language is also accepted.
• How do I track my RTI application status? +
  Visit rtionline.gov.in and click "View Status". Enter your registration number and email ID to see the current status — whether it's under process, transferred to another department, or a reply has been sent.
• Can I get copies of government documents through RTI? +
  Yes. You can request certified copies of government documents, inspection of records, or samples of material. Additional charges apply: ₹2 per page for A4/A3 size copies, and actual cost for larger documents or samples.

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