How to File RTI Online in India (2026): A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

18th of Mar. 2026
By - FileMyRTI Editorial Team

Topics

Quick Answer: To file an RTI online in India in 2026, visit rtionline.gov.in for central departments or your state RTI portal, pay the ₹10 fee, and submit your question to the correct Public Information Officer (PIO). The government must respond within 30 days under the RTI Act, 2005. Alternatively, FileMyRTI.com drafts and files your RTI with the correct authority starting at ₹399 — with 50,000+ RTIs filed since 2019.

How to File RTI Online in India (2026): A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Every Indian citizen has the legal right to ask the government a question — and get an answer within 30 days. That right is the RTI Act, 2005. This guide explains exactly how to file RTI online in India in 2026, what it costs, and what to do if the government doesn't respond.

What Is RTI and Who Can File It?

The Right to Information Act, 2005 gives every Indian citizen the legal right to request information from any public authority — central or state government departments, public sector organisations, municipalities, and more. The law requires the relevant Public Information Officer (PIO) to respond within 30 days of receiving your application.

There are no restrictions on who can file. If you are an Indian citizen, you can file an RTI application — regardless of your education, profession, or location. You do not need a lawyer. You do not need to explain why you want the information.

Key Point: Under Section 6(2) of the RTI Act, you are not required to give any reason for requesting information. Simply state what you want to know.

What Information Can You Request?

You can use RTI to request almost any information held by a government body — as long as it is not exempt under Section 8 of the Act (such as national security or third-party personal data). Here are some common and highly effective uses:

Category	What You Can Ask	Common Use
Employment / EPF	Status of PF withdrawal, pension delay	File EPF RTI
Passport	Why passport application is delayed	File Passport RTI
Land Records	Land ownership, mutation, encroachment records	File Land RTI
Education	Exam answer sheets, result delays, merit list	File Education RTI
Police / FIR	Status of FIR or complaint registered	File FIR RTI
Government Schemes	Status of subsidy, ration card, pension	File Pension RTI

How to File RTI Online in India: 3 Steps

There are two ways to file RTI online in India: through the official government portal (for central government departments), or through a simplified service like FileMyRTI that handles drafting, identifying the right officer, and dispatching for you.

Method 1: File RTI Yourself via the Official Portal

Step 1: Identify the Right Department

Determine which central government ministry or department holds the information you need. For example, passport delays go to the Ministry of External Affairs; EPF issues go to the Ministry of Labour (EPFO). Visit rtionline.gov.in for central government RTI. For state-level information, you'll need your state's RTI portal — see our Government RTI Links guide for direct links to every state portal.

Step 2: Draft and Submit Your RTI Application

Write your RTI application in plain language — no specific format is mandatory. State clearly what information you want. Keep it specific: instead of "give me all information about my EPF account", write "Please provide the current status of my PF withdrawal application submitted on [date], reference number [XXXX]." Submit online and pay the ₹10 fee via UPI, internet banking, or debit/credit card. BPL cardholders are exempt from the fee.

Step 3: Track and Follow Up

You will receive a registration number to track your RTI status online. The PIO must respond within 30 days. If they don't — or if you're unsatisfied with the response — you can file a First Appeal within 30 days of the deadline.

Method 2: File RTI via FileMyRTI (Recommended for First-Timers)

Step 1: Tell Us What You Need

Select your RTI type — passport, EPF, land records, FIR status, or a custom RTI — and describe your situation in plain language. No legal knowledge required.

Step 2: We Draft Your RTI Application

Our in-house team drafts a legally compliant RTI application, identifies the exact Public Information Officer responsible, and prepares your application for dispatch.

Step 3: We Dispatch & You Receive the Reply

Your RTI is dispatched via registered or speed post. You receive a tracking number and can monitor the status. By law, the PIO must respond within 30 days.

RTI Fee and Payment

For central government RTI applications, the fee is ₹10. State governments set their own fees — most states also charge ₹10, though some charge slightly more. BPL cardholders are completely exempt from RTI fees under the Act.

Type	Fee	Payment Method
Central Government RTI (online)	₹10	UPI, Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card
Central Government RTI (offline)	₹10	Indian Postal Order (IPO) or DD
State Government RTI	₹10–₹50 (varies)	Varies by state portal
BPL cardholders	Free	Submit BPL card copy with application
Additional copies (beyond first)	₹2 per page	Payable on delivery of documents

RTI Response Timeline: What to Expect

The RTI Act mandates a strict timeline that government officers must follow:

Within 30 days — PIO must provide the information (or explain why it cannot be provided)
Within 48 hours — If the request concerns the life or liberty of a person
Within 35 days — If the application was sent to the wrong PIO who transferred it to the correct one
Within 45 days — For information relating to a third party (with notice to that party)

Important: If you do not receive a response within 30 days, it is treated as a deemed refusal and you are automatically entitled to file a First Appeal — even without any formal rejection letter. See our RTI First Appeal guide for the exact steps.

What to Do If You Get No Reply

Not getting a response to your RTI is frustrating — but you have a clear legal remedy. The RTI Act provides for a two-level appeal process:

Step 1: File a First Appeal

If the PIO does not respond within 30 days, or gives an unsatisfactory reply, file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — a senior officer in the same department. You must file this within 30 days of the missed deadline or unsatisfactory response. The FAA must decide within 30 days (extendable to 45 days with written reasons). FileMyRTI's team can draft and file your First Appeal for you.

Step 2: File a Second Appeal (or Complaint)

If the First Appeal is also unsatisfactory or unanswered, you can approach the Central Information Commission (CIC) for central government matters, or the State Information Commission (SIC) for state matters. The CIC/SIC has powers to direct information disclosure and impose penalties of up to ₹25,000 on erring officers. Read our full First & Second Appeal guide for step-by-step instructions.

5 Most Common RTI Use Cases in 2026

Based on the 50,000+ RTI applications filed through FileMyRTI, these are the scenarios where RTI is most frequently — and successfully — used:

EPF / PF Withdrawal Delays — When EPFO has not processed your provident fund withdrawal for weeks, an RTI to the EPFO PIO often triggers action within days of receipt. File your EPF RTI →
Passport Application Delays — An RTI to the Regional Passport Office citing your application reference number gets you a specific written explanation for any delay. File your Passport RTI →
Exam Answer Sheet Requests — Students at public universities and government boards can use RTI to obtain their evaluated answer sheets and challenge incorrect marks. File your Answer Copy RTI →
FIR Status and Police Action — If police are not acting on a complaint, an RTI to the relevant police station puts your case on record and triggers accountability. File your FIR RTI →
Land Records and Property Disputes — RTI is highly effective for obtaining land mutation records, ownership documents, and encroachment notices from state revenue departments. File your Land RTI →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file RTI online for state government departments?

Yes. Most state governments have their own RTI portals. FileMyRTI covers all major states — our team identifies the correct state-level PIO and handles drafting and dispatch for you. Visit our Government RTI Links page to find your state's portal.

Is filing RTI online safe? Can it be anonymous?

Filing RTI online through official portals requires your name and address. However, FileMyRTI offers a confidential filing option where your identity is protected while still meeting all legal requirements.

What if I don't know which department to address my RTI to?

This is one of the most common reasons RTI applications are rejected or transferred. FileMyRTI's team identifies the correct Public Information Officer (PIO) for your specific issue as part of the service — eliminating the most common cause of delayed responses. Start your RTI here →

How long does RTI take to get a response?

By law, the PIO must respond within 30 days of receiving your RTI application. For RTIs that concern life or liberty, the deadline is 48 hours. If you don't get a response, read our First Appeal guide for next steps.

Can I file RTI on behalf of someone else?

RTI must be filed in the name of an Indian citizen. You can assist someone in drafting and submitting their RTI, but the application should be in the name of the person who wants the information. Use our custom RTI service for assistance.

What information is exempt from RTI?

Section 8 of the RTI Act lists exemptions including national security information, Cabinet papers, personal information with no public interest, commercially sensitive third-party data, and information received in confidence from foreign governments. In most day-to-day citizen use cases (EPF, passport, land, education), exemptions do not apply.

Conclusion

Filing RTI online in India is one of the most powerful tools available to any citizen — and it's far simpler than most people think. With a ₹10 fee, a clear 30-day response guarantee, and a structured appeal process for non-compliance, the RTI Act gives you genuine leverage against bureaucratic delays.

Whether you're chasing an EPF withdrawal, a delayed passport, or answers about a government project in your area — an RTI puts your question on official record and compels a legal response.

If you're unsure how to draft your RTI or which department to address, FileMyRTI's experts handle everything end to end — draft, dispatch, and follow-up — so you get answers without the paperwork stress.

Written by the FileMyRTI Editorial Team
Our team has drafted and filed over 50,000 RTI applications across India. All legal information in this article is reviewed for accuracy against the Right to Information Act, 2005 and relevant CIC rulings. Last reviewed: March 2026.

Online vs. Offline RTI Filing: Which Should You Choose?

India offers two official methods for filing RTI applications. Understanding when to use each can save you time and ensure your application reaches the right authority.

Feature	Online (rtionline.gov.in)	Offline (By Post)	Via FileMyRTI
Covers	Central government only	Central + all states	Central + all states
Fee	₹10 (UPI/card)	₹10 (IPO/DD)	₹399 onwards (all-inclusive)
Drafting help	None — you write it yourself	None	Expert-drafted by RTI advocates
PIO identification	You must select the right one	You must identify and address	Team identifies the correct PIO
Response tracking	Online tracking available	Track via post receipt	Dashboard + expert follow-up
Best for	Experienced filers, central dept queries	State-level RTIs where no online portal exists	First-time filers, complex queries, state + central

Our recommendation: If you know exactly which department and PIO to address and your query is straightforward, the official portal works well. For everything else — especially first-time filers, state-level RTIs, and complex multi-department queries — let FileMyRTI handle it for you.

RTI Dost: Draft Your RTI Application Free with AI

Not sure how to phrase your RTI question? RTI Dost is FileMyRTI's free AI-powered RTI drafting tool available directly on our homepage. Simply describe your problem in plain English, Hindi, or Hinglish, and RTI Dost generates a professionally worded RTI draft in seconds.

RTI Dost is trained on the patterns of 50,000+ successful RTI applications filed through our platform. It understands the correct language, structure, and department addressing that PIOs respond to. You can use the generated draft as-is for self-filing, or submit it directly through FileMyRTI for expert review, PIO identification, and dispatch.

7 Common RTI Filing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Based on our experience filing 50,000+ RTI applications, these are the mistakes that cause the most delays, rejections, and transfers:

1. Addressing the wrong department or PIO. This is the single most common reason RTIs are delayed. If you send a passport-related RTI to the wrong regional office, it gets transferred — adding 5-10 days to your timeline. Read our detailed guide on avoiding RTI mistakes.

2. Asking vague or overly broad questions. "Give me all information about my case" will likely be rejected. Be specific: state dates, reference numbers, and exactly what document or status you need.

3. Asking for opinions instead of information. The RTI Act covers factual information held by public authorities — not opinions, interpretations, or explanations of why a decision was made. Ask "what is the status" rather than "why was my application rejected."

4. Not knowing the fee exemptions. BPL cardholders are fully exempt from RTI fees. Many people pay unnecessarily or, worse, skip filing because they think it costs more than ₹10.

5. Missing the appeal deadline. If you do not get a response within 30 days, you have 30 days to file a First Appeal. Missing this window weakens your legal position significantly. Learn the full appeal process here.

6. Filing multiple questions in one application. While not strictly prohibited, cramming too many questions into one RTI often leads to partial responses or transfers. File separate RTIs for separate departments.

7. Not keeping copies of your application. Always save a copy of your RTI application, the registration number, and any postal receipts. You will need these for appeals. Read our complete guide to RTI filing mistakes.

What 50,000+ RTI Applications Reveal: Key Insights for 2026

FileMyRTI has filed over 50,000 RTI applications since 2019. Here is what the data shows about how Indians use RTI most effectively:

Top 3 fastest-response categories: Passport delays (average response in 18-22 days), EPF/PF issues (20-25 days), and FIR status queries (15-20 days). These departments have well-established RTI cells that process applications efficiently.

Categories with highest success rates: Land record requests (mutations, ownership details, encumbrance certificates) and education-related RTIs (answer sheets, marksheet verification) have the highest rate of complete, satisfactory responses — over 85% receive the requested information within the statutory 30-day period.

Most common reason for delays: Incorrect PIO addressing accounts for roughly 40% of all delayed responses. This is why FileMyRTI's PIO identification service exists — our team of RTI advocates, led by Advocate Narsimha Chary (15 years, 10,000+ RTIs) and Advocate K.N.S.K. Vara Prasad (2,500+ RTIs), knows exactly which officer handles which type of query in every major department.

Appeal success rate: First Appeals filed through FileMyRTI have a resolution rate significantly higher than self-filed appeals, primarily because proper legal drafting and citation of relevant CIC rulings makes a measurable difference in outcomes.