Why has the road in your colony not been repaired for years? Why is your pension, ration card or passport file stuck at some desk? As a taxpayer and a citizen, you have every right to ask these questions, and the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 gives you a legal way to get written answers from the government.
This guide explains how to file an RTI application online, what to write, what it costs, the deadlines, and what to do if the office ignores you. We have also added an important 2026 update about the personal information exemption, which many older guides miss.
Contents
- What Is RTI and Who Can File?
- What Information Can You Ask For?
- 2026 Update: Personal Information Rule
- Central or State Portal?
- Step-by-Step: File RTI Online
- How to Draft Your Questions
- Fees and Charges
- Deadlines at a Glance
- If They Reject or Ignore Your RTI
- Landmark Supreme Court Judgments
- FAQs
What Is RTI and Who Can File?
The RTI Act, 2005 lets any citizen of India request information from a public authority, meaning government departments, local bodies, and organisations substantially funded by the government. The Supreme Court has treated the right to know as part of freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a).
- You do not need a lawyer. Anyone can write and file an RTI.
- You do not have to give a reason for asking the information (Section 6(2)).
- The officer who replies is called the PIO (Public Information Officer). In central departments, the term CPIO is used.
What Information Can You Ask For?
"Information" includes records, documents, file notings, emails, reports, contracts, work orders, samples and data held by the public authority. Common real-life uses include:
- Status of a pending application, pension, refund or certificate
- Details of road, drain or school building work and money spent on it
- Copy of your own evaluated answer sheet or selection result records
- Reasons recorded in an order that affects you, and the rules followed
- Status of a complaint you filed (see also our guide on what to do if the police refuse to file an FIR)
What can be refused?
Section 8 lists exemptions, such as information that affects national security or sovereignty, matters that a court has forbidden to be published, cabinet papers, information received in confidence, trade secrets, and information that would endanger a person's life. Certain intelligence and security organisations are exempt under Section 24, but they must still provide information on allegations of corruption and human rights violations.
2026 Update: Personal Information Rule
Several petitions challenging this amendment are pending in the Supreme Court, which has issued notice to the Union Government and, according to reports, referred the matter to a larger bench without granting a stay. What this means for you today:
- Requests about your own records (your application, your file, your marks) are generally not affected.
- Requests about other persons, including officials' personal details, may be refused as "personal information".
- Ask about public actions and records (decisions, expenditure, orders, work done) instead of private details of individuals.
The law may change after the Supreme Court decides, so please check the latest position before filing.
Central or State Portal?
| Your Question Is About | Where to File |
|---|---|
| Central Government ministries and departments (Railways, Income Tax, Passport, CBSE, EPFO etc.) | rtionline.gov.in |
| State departments (state police, municipal body, state electricity board, revenue office) | Your state's own RTI portal, or by post |
| A public authority not listed on the central portal | Offline application to its PIO, by post or in person |
If you send your application to the wrong authority, the PIO must transfer it to the correct one within 5 days (Section 6(3)).
Step-by-Step: File RTI Online
- Open the official portal: go to rtionline.gov.in and click "Submit Request". Read the guidelines shown on the first page.
- Select the Ministry or Department from the list. If you are unsure, check the official website of the office that handles your work.
- Fill in your details: name, address, email and mobile number. Double-check them, because the reply and alerts come here.
- Choose your category: if you are Below Poverty Line (BPL), select that option and upload your BPL proof, as no fee is charged.
- Type your request: the text box allows up to 3,000 characters. Keep it factual and numbered (see the drafting tips below).
- Pay the fee online using net banking, debit or credit card, or UPI.
- Submit and save your registration number. You will need it to track the status and file an appeal.
How to Draft Your Questions
A well-drafted RTI gets a useful answer. A vague one gets a vague reply or a rejection. RTI gives you existing records. The PIO is not required to create information, answer "why" questions, or give opinions.
Sample RTI request (edit as needed)
To,
The Central Public Information Officer,
[Name of Department / Office]
Subject: Request for information under the RTI Act, 2005
1. Please provide the current status of my application no. [___] dated [___], submitted for [purpose].
2. Please provide a certified copy of the file notings and correspondence related to my application.
3. Please provide the name and designation of the officer(s) handling my application and the dates on which the file was forwarded.
4. Please provide the timeline prescribed for disposal of such applications, as per the rules or citizen charter.
[Your name, address, mobile number]
Drafting checklist
- Ask for records, dates, copies and numbers, not for opinions or explanations.
- Keep one subject per application. Separate topics should be separate RTIs.
- Mention application numbers, dates and file references to help the PIO find the record quickly.
- Write in simple, polite language. Do not make accusations.
Fees and Charges
| Item | Charge (Central Government) |
|---|---|
| Application fee | Rs. 10 |
| Photocopies (A4 / A3 page) | Rs. 2 per page |
| Inspection of records | First hour free, then Rs. 5 for each 15 minutes |
| Below Poverty Line applicants | No fee |
| First Appeal (online) | No fee |
State governments have their own fee rules, so please check the amount on your state's RTI portal. If the PIO misses the 30-day deadline, the information must be given free of charge.
Deadlines at a Glance
| Stage | Time Limit |
|---|---|
| PIO's reply (Section 7) | 30 days from receipt |
| Life or liberty of a person involved | 48 hours |
| Transfer to the correct authority | 5 days |
| First Appeal |
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