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

Every Indian citizen can request records, documents, status reports, file notes, orders, and other information held by a public authority — and is ordinarily entitled to a response within 30 days. That right comes from the RTI Act, 2005. This guide explains exactly how to file an RTI online in India, what it costs, and what to do if the public authority does not respond.

In This Article

1. Can your RTI be filed online?
2. Central RTI online: step-by-step
3. State RTI: online or offline
4. RTI fee and payment
5. What to write in the application
6. What not to ask under RTI
7. Timeline and appeals
8. DIY vs FileMyRTI
9. FAQs

Can Your RTI Be Filed Online?

The Right to Information Act, 2005 lets every Indian citizen request information from any public authority — central or state government departments, public sector undertakings, municipalities, and bodies substantially financed by the government. You do not need a lawyer, and under Section 6(2) you are not required to give any reason for your request.

Whether you can file online depends on which government the office belongs to:

• Central Government public authorities — file online at rtionline.gov.in.
• State Government public authorities — use that state's RTI portal if it has one; several states have no portal and must be filed by post or the office's prescribed offline mode.

Not sure which authority holds your information? Use our free FindMyPIO tool to identify the right public authority and PIO before you file.

Central RTI Online: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Identify the Right Department

Determine which central ministry or department holds the information you need. For example, passport delays go to the Ministry of External Affairs; EPF issues go to the EPFO under the Ministry of Labour. The central RTI portal, rtionline.gov.in, is for Central Government public authorities only.

Step 2: Draft and Submit Your Application

Write your RTI in plain language — no specific format is mandatory. 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 online. The PIO is ordinarily required to respond within 30 days. If they do not — or if you are unsatisfied with the reply — you can file a First Appeal within 30 days.

Important about the central portal: Per the official RTI Online FAQ, rtionline.gov.in is meant for Central Government public authorities only. RTI applications for State public authorities filed there may be returned without a refund of the fee — so always confirm whether your office is central or state before filing.

State RTI: Online or Offline

For State Government matters, the route depends on your state:

• States with an online RTI portal — file directly on the state portal and pay the prescribed fee online.
• States with no portal — send your RTI by post to the office's PIO, with the fee paid by Indian Postal Order (IPO) or the prescribed offline mode. See our guide to paying the RTI fee by post (IPO).

Find your state's exact portal, fee, and accepted payment modes in our state-by-state RTI guides, or check the RTI Fee Calculator.

RTI Fee and Payment

For Central Government RTI applications, the application fee is ₹10. BPL applicants do not have to pay the application fee if valid BPL proof is attached. If copies of records are supplied, photocopy or document charges may be payable separately — commonly ₹2 per A4/A3 page under the Central RTI Rules, though actual charges may vary by State and record type.

For State Government RTIs, the fee and accepted payment mode depend on the concerned State RTI Rules. Many States charge ₹10, but some prescribe a different amount or payment method. Always verify before paying — use the RTI Fee Calculator or check the current State RTI Rules.

What to Write in the RTI Application

A good RTI is short, specific, and record-based. Strong applications:

• Name the exact document, status, or record you want — with dates and reference numbers.
• Cover one topic per application, addressed to one public authority.
• Avoid vague, open-ended phrasing like "give me all information about my case".

Not sure how to phrase it? RTI Dost, our free AI drafting tool, turns a plain-English (or Hindi/Hinglish) description of your problem into a properly worded RTI draft — try it on the RTI Dost page. For ready-to-use templates and a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to write an effective RTI application.

What Not to Ask Under RTI

RTI gives you access to information and records held by a public authority — not opinions, explanations, or answers to hypothetical questions. A few limits to keep in mind:

• Ask for records, not opinions. Ask "what is the current status of file no. X" rather than "why was my application rejected".
• Exemptions under Section 8. Some information can be withheld — national security, Cabinet papers, personal information with no public interest, commercially sensitive third-party data, and information received in confidence from foreign governments. In most everyday citizen uses (EPF, passport, land, education), these exemptions do not apply. See Section 8 explained.
• One topic per RTI. Multiple unrelated questions in one application can lead to transfers, partial replies, or confusion. Best practice: file one RTI per topic and per public authority.

Timeline and Appeals

The RTI Act sets clear timelines that public authorities must follow:

• Within 30 days — the 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 filed through an Assistant PIO who transferred it
• 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 entitled to file a First Appeal — even without any formal rejection letter. See our RTI First Appeal guide for the exact steps.

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) — an officer senior in rank to the PIO in the same department — within 30 days. The FAA should decide within 30 days (extendable to 45 with written reasons). FileMyRTI's team can draft and file your First Appeal for you. Learn more in our First Appeal glossary entry.

Second Appeal

If the First Appeal is also unsatisfactory or unanswered, you can approach the Central Information Commission (CIC) for central matters, or the relevant State Information Commission (SIC) for state matters, within 90 days. The Commission can direct disclosure and impose penalties of up to ₹25,000 on an erring officer. Read our full First & Second Appeal guide for step-by-step instructions.

DIY vs FileMyRTI: Which Should You Choose?

You can file an RTI yourself through the official portal or by post, or have FileMyRTI handle the drafting, authority/PIO identification, and dispatch. Here is how the routes compare:

Our recommendation: If you know exactly which authority 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.

Based on FileMyRTI's filing experience, the single most common reason for delayed RTI responses is incorrect authority or PIO selection — the application reaches the wrong office and has to be transferred. Getting the authority right the first time is the biggest thing within your control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file RTI online for state government departments?

Only if your state has its own online RTI portal — several do, but some states and UTs are still offline and must be filed by post. The central portal (rtionline.gov.in) does not cover state public authorities. FileMyRTI identifies the correct state-level PIO and handles drafting and dispatch for you. Find your state's route in our state RTI guides.

Is filing RTI online safe? Can it be anonymous?

RTI cannot normally be filed anonymously — the applicant's name and address are required under the Act. FileMyRTI keeps your details private within the filing process and uses them only for preparing, filing, and tracking your RTI.

What if I do not know which department to address my RTI to?

This is one of the most common reasons RTI applications are delayed or transferred. Use our free FindMyPIO tool, or let FileMyRTI's team identify the correct Public Information Officer for your specific issue as part of the service. Start your RTI here →

How long does RTI take to get a response?

By law, the PIO is ordinarily required to 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?

An RTI must be filed in the name of an Indian citizen. You can help someone draft and submit their RTI, but the application should be in the name of the person seeking 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. See Section 8 explained.

Related RTI Guides and Tools

This pillar covers the fundamentals of filing RTI online in India. For deeper guidance on specific topics, explore our detailed guides:

RTI Filing Basics

• Step-by-step RTI filing guide for India
• RTI Act simplified — a beginner's guide
• How to write an effective RTI application
• What is the RTI Act and why every citizen should use it
• RTI Glossary — key terms explained (PIO, CIC, SIC, appeals)

Free RTI Tools

• RTI Fee Calculator — your state's exact fee & payment mode
• FindMyPIO — identify the right public authority & PIO
• RTI Deadline Clock — track your 30-day & appeal windows
• RTI Dost — free AI RTI drafting

RTI Guides for Specific Issues

• Government Delays (Passport, PF, Tax, FIR): Complete RTI guide for government delays
• Land and Property Records: RTI for land and property disputes
• Education, Exams and Marksheets: RTI for exam answer sheets and marksheet verification
• RTI Appeals (First and Second): Complete RTI appeal process guide

Written by the FileMyRTI Editorial Team.
Our team has drafted and filed RTI applications across India since 2019. Legal information in this article is a plain-English summary checked against the Right to Information Act, 2005 and the official RTI Online guidelines; it is educational and not legal advice. Last reviewed: June 2026.