How to File RTI Online — Right to Information Application India

Want to know what the government is doing with your tax money? The Right to Information (RTI) Act gives every Indian citizen the power to ask questions and get answers from any government office. And the best part — you can do it online from your phone or laptop in just 10 minutes.

This guide walks you through everything: how to file RTI online, the fees, format, timelines, and what to do if your request is ignored.

What is RTI?

The Right to Information Act, 2005 is a law passed by the Indian Parliament that gives every citizen the right to request information from any public authority (government body). The government is legally bound to reply within 30 days.

RTI is one of the most powerful tools for transparency and accountability in India. Whether it's about road construction in your area, your passport application status, or how a government tender was awarded — you have the right to know.

Key facts:

• Enacted: 12 October 2005
• Applies to: All central and state government bodies, PSUs, and organisations substantially funded by the government
• Administered by: Central Information Commission (CIC) at the central level and State Information Commissions (SIC) at the state level

Who Can File an RTI Application?

Any Indian citizen can file an RTI application. There is:

• No age limit — even a minor can file through a guardian
• No educational qualification required
• No need to give a reason for why you want the information
• NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) holding Indian citizenship can also file

Who cannot file:

• Corporations, societies, or trusts (only individuals)
• Foreign citizens

What Can You Ask Under RTI?

You can ask for any information that is held by or under the control of a public authority. This includes:

• Records, documents, memos, emails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts
• Information in any form — printed, electronic, or stored in a computer
• Inspection of documents and work (e.g., inspect a road being constructed)
• Certified copies of documents
• Samples of material used in government projects

Common RTI Use Cases

How to File RTI Online — Step-by-Step Guide

The Government of India's official portal for filing RTI online is rtionline.gov.in.

Important: This portal is only for Central Government ministries, departments, and public authorities. For state government bodies, use your state's RTI portal (see section below).

Step 1: Visit the RTI Online Portal

Go to https://rtionline.gov.in and click on "Submit Request".

Step 2: Read the Guidelines

Read the guidelines page carefully and tick the checkbox to confirm you have read them. Click "Submit".

Step 3: Fill the Online RTI Form

You will see a form with these fields:

• Public Authority: Select the ministry/department you want to ask (e.g., Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Railways)
• Personal Details: Your name, gender, address, state, educational status, citizenship status, phone number, and email
• BPL Status: If you are Below Poverty Line, select "Yes" (fee is waived — attach BPL certificate)
• Request Text: Type your RTI question here (up to 3,000 characters)
• Supporting Document: Upload any supporting document if needed (PDF, max 1 MB)

Step 4: Make the Payment

• Fee: ₹10 (ten rupees only)
• Payment modes: Internet banking, credit/debit card (Visa/MasterCard), RuPay card, or UPI
• BPL applicants are exempted from fees (attach BPL card copy)

Step 5: Save Your Registration Number

After successful payment, you will receive a unique registration number. Save this! You will need it to:

• Track the status of your RTI
• File a first appeal if needed

You will also receive a confirmation email with all the details.

Step 6: Track Your RTI Status

Go to rtionline.gov.in → Click "View Status" → Enter your registration number to check the current status of your application.

RTI Application Format & Tips

Whether you're filing online or offline (by post), your RTI request should be clear and specific. Here's a tried-and-tested format:

Sample RTI Application Format

To,
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO),
[Name of Ministry/Department],
[Address]

Subject: Application under Right to Information Act, 2005

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Name], an Indian citizen, would like to seek the following 
information under the Right to Information Act, 2005:

1. [Your first question — be specific]
2. [Your second question]
3. [Your third question]

I am depositing the prescribed fee of ₹10 via [online payment / IPO / DD].

Kindly provide the above information within 30 days as per the Act.

Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
[Address]
[Phone Number]
[Email]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Tips for Writing a Good RTI Application

1. Be specific — Don't write vague questions. Instead of "Tell me about road work," write "Please provide details of funds sanctioned and spent for road repair on NH-48 near Sector 15, Gurugram, between January 2025 and December 2025."
2. Ask point-by-point — Number your questions
3. Don't ask for opinions — RTI is for factual information, not opinions or explanations
4. Use simple language — Hindi or English both work for central government
5. One department per RTI — File separate applications for different departments
6. Keep it under 3,000 characters on the online portal (no limit for postal applications)

RTI Fee

Note: Fee rules may vary slightly for state government RTIs. Check your state portal.

Response Timeline

The RTI Act has strict timelines that every public authority must follow:

If you do not receive a response within 30 days, or if the response is incomplete/wrong — you have the right to file a First Appeal.

First Appeal Process

If you are unsatisfied with the response (or received no response), you can file a First Appeal.

How to File a First Appeal

• Where: With the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — this is an officer senior to the CPIO in the same department
• Online: You can file the first appeal on rtionline.gov.in → Click "Submit Appeal"
• Time limit: Within 30 days of receiving the reply (or 30 days after the deadline if no reply received)
• Fee: No fee for first appeal

What to Include

• Your original RTI registration number
• Copy of the original RTI application
• Copy of the reply received (if any)
• Grounds for the appeal (why you are unsatisfied)

The FAA must decide within 30–45 days.

Second Appeal — Central Information Commission (CIC)

If the First Appeal also doesn't give you a satisfactory answer, you can escalate to the Central Information Commission (CIC).

How to File a Second Appeal

• Where: Central Information Commission, New Delhi
• Online: Through the CIC website at https://cic.gov.in
• Time limit: Within 90 days of the First Appellate Authority's decision
• Fee: No fee

CIC's Powers

The CIC can:

• Order disclosure of information
• Impose a penalty of ₹25,000 on the defaulting officer
• Recommend disciplinary action against the officer

This is what makes RTI truly powerful — there are real consequences for officials who don't respond.

RTI for State Government

The rtionline.gov.in portal is only for central government departments. For state government bodies (like state police, municipality, state PWD, state education department), you need to use your state's RTI portal.

How to Find Your State RTI Portal

Many states have their own online portals. Some major ones:

Tip: If your state doesn't have an online portal, you can still send your RTI application by post to the concerned department's Public Information Officer (PIO) with a ₹10 IPO (Indian Postal Order) or Demand Draft.

For state RTI appeals, the second appeal goes to the State Information Commission (SIC), not the CIC.

What You Cannot Ask Under RTI (Exemptions)

Section 8 of the RTI Act lists certain categories of information that are exempt from disclosure:

1. National security and sovereignty — Information that would harm India's security, strategic interests, or relations with foreign states
2. Information forbidden by court — Any information that a court or tribunal has prohibited from being published
3. Parliamentary privilege — Information that would breach the privilege of Parliament or State Legislature
4. Trade secrets and commercial confidence — Business information that could harm someone's competitive position
5. Information in fiduciary capacity — Information held in trust/confidence
6. Foreign government information — Received in confidence from a foreign government
7. Information endangering safety — That could endanger someone's life or physical safety
8. Investigation information — That would impede investigation or prosecution of offenders
9. Cabinet papers — Decisions of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries, and other officers (but decisions and reasons must be made public after the decision is taken)
10. Personal information — That has no relationship to any public activity or which would cause unwarranted invasion of privacy

Important: Even for exempted categories, if the public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm, the information may still be provided. This is called the public interest override.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I file RTI from my mobile phone?

Yes! The rtionline.gov.in portal works on mobile browsers. Just visit the website, fill the form, pay ₹10 via UPI, and submit.

2. Can I file RTI in Hindi?

Yes. You can file your RTI application in Hindi or English on the central portal. For state portals, the local/official language is also accepted.

3. What happens if the department doesn't reply within 30 days?

If you don't get a reply within 30 days, it is treated as a deemed refusal. You can immediately file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority of that department.

4. Can I file RTI to know my exam marks or interview scores?

Yes. Many people have successfully used RTI to get their UPSC, SSC, and other competitive exam answer sheets, marks, and interview scores. File the RTI with the conducting body (e.g., UPSC, SSC, respective state PSC).

5. Is RTI applicable to private companies?

No — RTI only applies to public authorities (government bodies). However, if a private company is substantially financed by the government (like BSNL, Air India before privatisation), it comes under RTI.

6. Can I ask multiple questions in one RTI application?

Yes, you can ask multiple questions in a single application, as long as they are all related to the same department/public authority.

7. What if my RTI is transferred to another department?

If the CPIO feels the information belongs to another department, they will transfer your application within 5 days. The new department then has 30 days to respond (total effective time: 35 days).

Summary: Your RTI Filing Checklist

• ✅ Identify the correct department (central vs. state)
• ✅ Visit rtionline.gov.in for central departments
• ✅ Fill the form with specific, numbered questions
• ✅ Pay ₹10 online (UPI/card/net banking)
• ✅ Save your registration number
• ✅ Wait 30 days for response
• ✅ File First Appeal if no/unsatisfactory response
• ✅ Escalate to CIC/SIC if First Appeal fails

RTI is your right. Use it. The government works for you — and you have every right to ask questions.