Central Government Complaints & Grievances: Where to Complain First (2026)

Most problems with a government service start with a complaint or grievance, not an RTI. This router lists the official central systems, what each one covers, how to track it, and the escalation step when nothing happens. Every fact below comes from an official government source, listed with its verification date at the bottom of each card.

FileMyRTI is not a government website. Filing on every portal below is free. We help at the later stage: when a complaint is ignored or closed without resolution, an RTI can obtain the official record of what happened to it.

Which system should you use first?

Your problemGo to
Money lost to online fraud Call 1930 now, then National Cybercrime Reporting Portal
PF withdrawal / transfer / EPS pension stuck EPFiGMS
Central government pension delayed CPENGRAMS
Passport application or police verification stuck Passport Seva grievances / 1800-258-1800
Train or station complaint RailMadad / 139
Cheated by a company or service provider National Consumer Helpline / 1915
Bank, NBFC or payment app dispute Complain to the bank first, then RBI Complaint Management System
Aadhaar enrolment or update problem UIDAI / Aadhaar / 1947
Airline or airport grievance AirSewa
Anything else involving a central ministry or department CPGRAMS

The official central grievance systems

CPGRAMS

Any central ministry or department (when no dedicated system exists)

Use it for: Grievances about any Government of India ministry or department, when no dedicated sector system covers your issue.
Not for: RTI matters, sub-judice cases, personal/family disputes, religious matters, and service matters unless internal channels are exhausted.
First step: Register on pgportal.gov.in and lodge the grievance; you receive a registration ID.
Tracking: View Status on the portal using your registration ID.
Official timeline: 21 days (an interim reply with reasons is required if it takes longer).
If nothing happens: If closed unresolved, rate the closure "Poor" and file an appeal within 30 days — tracked on the same registration ID.
Where RTI fits: If the grievance stalls beyond its stated timeline, an RTI to the CPIO of the ministry or department it was routed to can request the action-taken record on your registration ID.
Step-by-step: CPGRAMS complaint ignored or closed without action? Do this next
Open official portal
Facts verified on 2026-07-20 from the official sources below.
Official sources: pgportal.gov.in · pgportal.gov.in/Home/Faq · rti.gov.in

EPFiGMS

Provident fund (EPF) and EPS pension grievances

Use it for: PF withdrawal, transfer, KYC and EPS pension grievances — for members, pensioners and employers.
First step: File with your UAN (members) or PPO number (pensioners); OTP verification is mandatory.
Tracking: Track with the registration number sent by SMS and email.
Official timeline: no verified timeline is shown here - check the current rules on the official portal.
If nothing happens: Send a reminder from the portal; if pending beyond 15 days, escalate by email to rc.csd@epfindia.gov.in.
Where RTI fits: If EPFiGMS closes your grievance without the money moving, an RTI to the CPIO of your EPFO Regional Office can request the claim file status, the officer it is pending with, and the recorded reason.
Open official portal
Facts verified on 2026-07-20 from the official sources below.
Official sources: epfigms.gov.in · www.epfindia.gov.in · rti.gov.in

CPENGRAMS

Central government pension grievances

Use it for: Pension grievances of central government pensioners and family pensioners (PPO-based).
First step: Register the grievance on the pension portal quoting your PPO number.
Tracking: View Grievance / Appeal Status on the portal.
Official timeline: 21-day redressal target, 60 days maximum (DoPPW guidelines, 2025).
If nothing happens: File an appeal within 30 days of closure; appeals are to be disposed of within 30 days.
Where RTI fits: If the pension grievance stays unresolved past its stated timelines, an RTI to the CPIO of the pension-sanctioning ministry or CPAO can request the file movement and the recorded reason for delay.
Open official portal
Facts verified on 2026-07-20 from the official sources below.
Official sources: pgportal.gov.in/pension · doppw.gov.in · rti.gov.in

Passport Seva grievances

Passport application, police verification and delivery issues

Use it for: Delays and problems with passport applications, police verification and delivery.
First step: Register the grievance on the portal, or call 1800-258-1800 (24x7, 17 languages) — the call centre can register it for you.
Tracking: Track using the Service Request Number (SRN) issued on registration.
Official timeline: none published - keep your acknowledgement number; the absence of a stated deadline is exactly when a written record (see below) matters most.
If nothing happens: If unresolved, escalate to the Directorate of Public Grievances (DPG), Cabinet Secretariat, which covers MEA.
Helpline: 1800-258-1800
Where RTI fits: For a passport stuck at police verification, an RTI to the CPIO of your Regional Passport Office can request the file status and the date the verification request went to police.
Open official portal
Facts verified on 2026-07-20 from the official sources below.
Official sources: www.passportindia.gov.in · dpg.gov.in · rti.gov.in

National Cybercrime Reporting Portal

Online fraud, cybercrime, and objectionable content — act fast

Use it for: Money lost to online fraud: call 1930 immediately, then report on the portal with your bank name, the 12-digit transaction/UTR number, date and amount. Also for other cybercrime and for reporting content involving women or children (anonymous option available).
First step: For financial fraud, speed matters — call 1930 first, then complete the portal report.
Tracking: Track with the reference number (not available for anonymous reports).
Official timeline: none published - keep your acknowledgement number; the absence of a stated deadline is exactly when a written record (see below) matters most.
If nothing happens: The portal routes complaints to your State police — it does not investigate or adjudicate itself.
Helpline: 1930
Where RTI fits: RTI is NOT the remedy for live fraud - report first. Weeks later, an RTI to the State police PIO can request the status of your complaint and the action-taken record (investigation details may be exempt under Section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act).
Open official portal
Facts verified on 2026-07-20 from the official sources below.
Official sources: cybercrime.gov.in · www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/1362

RailMadad

Train and station complaints

Use it for: Complaints about trains and stations — via the portal, app, SMS, or helpline 139.
First step: Lodge the complaint on the portal or call 139.
Tracking: Track Your Concern on the portal using the reference number.
Official timeline: none published - keep your acknowledgement number; the absence of a stated deadline is exactly when a written record (see below) matters most.
Helpline: 139
Where RTI fits: If a RailMadad complaint disappears without outcome, an RTI to the CPIO of the concerned railway Zone or Division can request the complaint record and action taken.
Open official portal
Facts verified on 2026-07-20 from the official sources below.
Official sources: railmadad.indianrailways.gov.in · rti.gov.in

National Consumer Helpline

Consumer complaints against companies and services

Use it for: Consumer complaints against companies and service providers — advisory and mediation before litigation; many companies are onboarded as convergence partners.
First step: Call 1915 (8am-8pm) or use WhatsApp/SMS +91-8800001915, or register once on the portal and file.
Tracking: Track Your Grievance on the portal.
Official timeline: Up to a maximum of 30 days to arrive at a logical conclusion.
If nothing happens: NCH does not adjudicate — if mediation fails, the remedy is a consumer commission case (e-daakhil).
Helpline: 1915
Where RTI fits: NCH complaints concern private companies, which RTI does not cover - but an RTI to the Department of Consumer Affairs CPIO can request what action was recorded on your docket with a convergence partner.
Open official portal
Facts verified between 2026-07-20 and 2026-07-22 from the official sources below.
Official sources: consumerhelpline.gov.in · consumerhelpline.gov.in/public/about · rti.gov.in

RBI Complaint Management System

Banks and payment services (RBI Ombudsman)

Use it for: Complaints against banks, NBFCs and payment service providers regulated by RBI, under the RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme.
First step: Complain to the bank/NBFC first and keep the acknowledgement; if it stays unresolved, file on the RBI CMS portal. Check the current scheme rules on the portal for the exact filing window before you file.
Tracking: Track on the CMS portal with your complaint number; contact centre 14448.
Official timeline: no verified timeline is shown here - check the current rules on the official portal.
Helpline: 14448
Where RTI fits: Private banks are outside RTI, but RBI itself is a public authority - an RTI to RBI's CPIO can request the processing record of your CMS complaint.
Open official portal
Facts verified on 2026-07-22 from the official sources below.
Official sources: cms.rbi.org.in · rti.gov.in

UIDAI / Aadhaar

Aadhaar enrolment and update problems

Use it for: Aadhaar enrolment and update issues — no account needed; quote your EID/URN.
First step: File the complaint online, or call 1947, or email help@uidai.gov.in.
Tracking: Track with the SRN on the grievance-feedback status page.
Official timeline: none published - keep your acknowledgement number; the absence of a stated deadline is exactly when a written record (see below) matters most.
Helpline: 1947
Where RTI fits: If an Aadhaar update stays stuck, an RTI to the UIDAI CPIO (headquarters or your Regional Office) can request the processing status and the recorded reason for rejection.
Open official portal
Facts verified on 2026-07-20 from the official sources below.
Official sources: myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/file-complaint · uidai.gov.in · myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in · rti.gov.in

AirSewa

Air travel grievances (listing only)

Use it for: Grievances about airlines, airports, DGCA, security, customs and immigration at airports.
First step: Register with email and mobile OTP, then lodge the grievance; a reference number is issued.
Tracking: Track with the reference number on the portal.
Official timeline: none published - keep your acknowledgement number; the absence of a stated deadline is exactly when a written record (see below) matters most.
Where RTI fits: Private airlines are outside RTI; for DGCA, Ministry of Civil Aviation, or AAI-run airports, an RTI to the respective CPIO can request the record of your grievance.
Open official portal
Facts verified on 2026-07-20 from the official sources below.
Official sources: airsewa.gov.in · rti.gov.in

When the complaint route fails: what RTI actually does

RTI is a statutory route to obtain the administrative record about your grievance - the file movement, the officer it is pending with, the reasons recorded, and the action taken. It does not compel the department to resolve the grievance, and it works best after you have used the correct complaint or appeal route above and kept the acknowledgement number.

Complaint ignored or closed without resolution?

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