File an RTI
सूचना का अधिकार — अपनी बात सरकार तक पहुंचाएं
Every Indian citizen has the right to ask the government any question and get an answer within 30 days. Free for BPL — ₹10 for others.
Application fee
आवेदन शुल्क
Response deadline
जवाब की समयसीमा
If life/liberty at stake
जीवन/स्वतंत्रता से जुड़ा
For BPL citizens
BPL नागरिकों के लिए
What can you ask through RTI?
आप आरटीआई के जरिए क्या पूछ सकते हैं?
Status of your pending application / complaint
How government funds are being spent in your area
Number of posts and vacancies in a department
Details of a road/bridge/building construction contract
Who received government scheme benefits in your village
Why your ration card / voter ID application is pending
Details of fines collected by traffic police in your city
Copies of government orders, circulars, inspection reports
Qualification and appointment details of a government official
Step-by-Step RTI Process
आरटीआई दाखिल करने की प्रक्रिया — चरण दर चरण
Identify the Public Authority
सार्वजनिक प्राधिकरण की पहचान करें
Identify which government department has the information you need. Central ministries, state departments, PSUs, courts, and even cooperatives receiving government aid are covered. Exceptions: Intelligence agencies (IB, RAW) are exempt.
If unsure, you can file with a central/state nodal department and they must transfer it within 5 days.
Write Your RTI Application
अपना आरटीआई आवेदन लिखें
Write a simple letter addressed to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the department. You can write in English, Hindi, or the official language of that state. No specific format required — just be clear and specific about what you want.
Be specific. "All records related to Road Construction Tender No. XX/2024 in Ward 5" is better than "all road work information."
Pay the Fee
शुल्क का भुगतान करें
Central government: ₹10 (by Indian Postal Order, DD, banker's cheque, or cash). State governments have their own fees (usually ₹10–50). BPL citizens: File a copy of your BPL card and the fee is waived entirely.
Online RTI portal (rtionline.gov.in) accepts debit/credit card payments for central government RTIs.
Submit the Application
आवेदन जमा करें
Submit by post (registered/speed post), in person at the department, or online at rtionline.gov.in for central government departments. Always keep a copy and get acknowledgment.
Send by registered post — this creates a tracking record and proves the date of submission.
Wait for Response
जवाब की प्रतीक्षा करें
The PIO must respond within 30 days. Within 48 hours if the request involves life or liberty. If they need to transfer to another department, they must do so within 5 days. They may ask for additional fee for photocopies (₹2/page for central govt).
Keep track of the 30-day deadline from the date of receipt (not the date you sent it).
If You Don't Get a Response
अगर जवाब न मिले तो क्या करें?
Appeal to
First Appellate Authority (FAA) — senior officer in the same department
Deadline
Within 30 days of receiving unsatisfactory/no response
Fee
No fee
Must respond within 30 days (45 days in special cases)
Appeal to
Central Information Commission (CIC) or State Information Commission (SIC)
Deadline
Within 90 days of FAA order or if FAA doesn't respond
Fee
No fee
Commission can impose penalty of ₹250/day up to ₹25,000 on erring PIO
Appeal to
High Court under Article 226 (writ jurisdiction)
Deadline
If CIC/SIC order is not followed
Fee
Court fees apply
Court can hold PIO/department in contempt
Sample RTI Application
Copy, adapt, and send — this is all you need.
To, The Public Information Officer, [Name of Department], [Address of Department] Subject: Application under Right to Information Act, 2005 Sir/Madam, I, [Your Full Name], citizen of India, residing at [Your Full Address], hereby request the following information under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005: 1. [Your specific question — e.g., "Please provide copies of all tenders floated for road repair in Ward No. 7, [City Name] during the financial year 2023–24."] 2. [Second question if any] I am enclosing a fee of ₹10/- by [Indian Postal Order No. / DD No. / Cash receipt]. [If BPL: I am a BPL card holder. A copy of my BPL card is enclosed. I am exempt from fee payment under Section 7(5).] Please provide the information within 30 days as required under the RTI Act. Thanked, [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Phone Number / Email] Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]