How to File an RTI Application in India
Who can file, the ₹10 fee, the 30-day reply deadline, what information is exempt, and how to appeal if you get no answer.
Your right to information
The Right to Information Act, 2005 lets any citizen of India request information from a 'public authority' — government departments, ministries, public sector undertakings, and bodies substantially financed by the government. Private companies are not directly covered, but information about them held by a regulator often is.
How to file
Filing is deliberately simple:
- Write your questions clearly in English, Hindi, or the official language of the area.
- Address it to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned department.
- Pay the application fee — ₹10 for central government applications (state fees vary).
- File online at rtionline.gov.in for central government bodies, or by post/in person.
- No reason needs to be given for seeking the information.
Deadlines and fees
The PIO must respond within 30 days (48 hours where life or liberty is involved). If the information concerns a third party, the limit extends to 40 days. You may be charged ₹2 per page for copies. Below-poverty-line applicants are exempt from fees.
What cannot be asked
Section 8 exempts information affecting national security, sovereignty, contempt of court, trade secrets, and personal information with no larger public interest, among others. Cabinet papers are exempt until a decision is taken.
If you get no reply
A non-reply within 30 days is a 'deemed refusal'. File a first appeal to the senior officer designated in the same department within 30 days. If that fails, a second appeal lies to the Central or State Information Commission, which can order disclosure and impose penalties on the PIO.
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Disclaimer: This guide is general information about Indian law, not legal advice. Statutes are amended and facts differ — consult a licensed advocate before acting on it.