How to File RTI Online: Step-by-Step Guide for 2026

To file an RTI online, open rtionline.gov.in for Central Government ministries and departments (or your state's RTI portal), register, choose the public authority, type your questions, pay the Rs 10 fee (BPL applicants are exempt) and submit. The Public Information Officer must reply within 30 days.

The Right to Information Act, 2005 lets any citizen ask a public authority for information it holds: copies of files, records of how your application was processed, details of how public money was spent, and much more. You do not need a lawyer, and you do not need to explain why you want the information.

Who can file an RTI and what can you ask?

Any Indian citizen can file an RTI application under section 6 of the Act. It goes to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the office that holds the information. You can ask for:

• Copies of documents, file notings, letters and orders
• The status of your own application, complaint, pension or refund
• Details of tenders, contracts, budgets and spending
• Inspection of records or samples of material, where possible

Some categories of information are exempt under Section 8 of the Act, so a PIO may refuse part of a request. Since November 2025, the exemption in Section 8(1)(j) covers information that relates to personal information; Section 8(2) still allows disclosure where the public interest outweighs the harm. If that happens, the refusal should give reasons, and you can challenge it in appeal.

Where to file: central portal or state portal

Which portal you use depends on who holds the information.

• Central Government ministries and departments: file online at rtionline.gov.in.
• State government departments, municipal bodies, state universities and police: many states run their own RTI portals. Where a state has no online system, you can send a written application by post or hand it in at the office.

If you are unsure whether an office is central or state, check its website or the letterhead on any document it has issued to you.

How to file RTI online: step by step

These steps describe the central portal. State portals follow a similar pattern, though screens and payment options differ.

1. Open rtionline.gov.in and choose the option to submit a request.
2. Register or sign in with your email and mobile number, and fill in your name and address.
3. Select the ministry or department you want information from. If the information sits with an office under it, choose the closest match.
4. Type your questions in the text box, or upload them as a document if the portal allows. Keep each question short and numbered.
5. If you hold a BPL card, select the BPL option and upload a copy of your BPL certificate. You will not have to pay the fee.
6. Pay the Rs 10 application fee online. State fees vary, so check your state's rules.
7. Submit and note the registration number. Save the acknowledgement as a PDF or screenshot.

You can use the registration number later to check the status and to file a first appeal from the same portal.

How to write questions that get a useful reply

The quality of the answer depends on the quality of the question. A few habits help:

• Ask for specific records, not opinions. "Provide a copy of the file notings on my pension application dated..." works better than "Why is my pension delayed?"
• Give dates, reference numbers and names of schemes or offices.
• Split a broad request into a few numbered questions.
• Do not add allegations or long background. The PIO only has to supply information that exists in records.

You do not need to give any reason for asking. The Act does not require it.

How long does the PIO have to reply?

Under section 7, the PIO must reply within 30 days of receiving your application. If the information concerns the life or liberty of a person, the reply must come within 48 hours. If the PIO asks for additional fees for copies, the request should explain how the amount was worked out.

If you hear nothing within 30 days, treat it as a refusal and move to the first appeal.

What if you get no reply or an unsatisfactory one?

The Act gives you two levels of appeal, and neither needs a lawyer.

First appeal

Under section 19(1), you can file a first appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) within 30 days from the date the reply was due or the date you received an unsatisfactory reply. The FAA is usually a senior officer in the same department. On rtionline.gov.in, you can file the first appeal using your original registration number. Explain briefly what was asked, what was received and why it falls short.

Second appeal

If the FAA does not decide, or you are still not satisfied, you can file a second appeal within 90 days before the Central Information Commission (for central bodies) or the State Information Commission (for state bodies). Attach copies of your application, the PIO's reply, your first appeal and the FAA's order, if any.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending a central RTI to a state department, or the other way round
• Asking for information that is not held in records, such as reasons or opinions
• Missing the 30-day window for the first appeal
• Not keeping the registration number and payment receipt
• Filing one very long application covering many unrelated subjects

How NYAY GHAR can help

Most people can file a simple RTI on their own. Help is useful when the information is tied to a dispute, a pending case or a long delay, or when you need to draft a sharp first or second appeal. Through NYAY GHAR you can request legal assistance and be connected with an advocate who works on RTI matters. If the information you get points to a problem with a product or service, read our guide on filing a consumer complaint online. If cost is a concern, see how to get free legal aid in India.

This guide is general legal information, not legal advice for your specific case.