What is the fee for an RTI application?

₹10 for a normal application via IPO or netbanking. BPL card-holders are exempt under §7(5) of the RTI Act 2005.

How long does the PIO have to reply?

Thirty days under §7(1). If life or liberty is at risk, the reply must come within 48 hours under the proviso to §7(1).

What if I don't get a reply in 30 days?

File a First Appeal under §19(1) to the First Appellate Authority within 30 days, with no fee. If still unsatisfied, escalate to CIC / SIC under §19(3) within 90 days. §20 fines the PIO ₹250/day up to ₹25,000 for delay.

Right to Information — a blank document on a desk with a fountain pen and magnifying glass, evoking transparency and accountability

Document Generator

RTI Application Drafter — Right to Information Act 2005

The RTI Act gives every Indian citizen the right to ask any public authority for information. Reply is due in 30 days (48 hours if life or liberty is at risk). Fee is ₹10 for a normal application. Pick a category, fill the form, and get a print-ready bilingual draft you can post or submit online.

Print-ready Bilingual EN + HI Generated in your browser 30-day reply clock

1. Choose your RTI category

2. Fill the details

Your full name

Phone (optional)

Your full postal address (reply will be sent here)

Public Information Officer (PIO) — name or designation

Department / public authority

Department address

Subject (one short line)

Your questions (one per line — keep specific, fact-based, not opinion) Tip: ask only for information already on record. Don't ask 'why' or 'what is your opinion' — those are not RTI questions.

Period the info relates to (optional)

Are you BPL? (fee waived under §7(5))

Place

Date

3. Your draft RTI application

The draft is generated entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server.

How to file your RTI

Online (Central Government)

Use the official RTI Online portal. ₹10 fee paid by Internet banking, credit/debit, or UPI.

rtionline.gov.in

By post (any authority)

Print the draft. Attach ₹10 Indian Postal Order (IPO) in favour of 'Accounts Officer, [Department]'. Send by Registered Post AD. Keep the receipt.

State-level RTI portals

Most states (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, etc.) have their own online RTI portals — search the official state government website.

In person

Submit at the public authority's reception with a copy for your stamped acknowledgement. Pay ₹10 in cash and collect receipt.

The RTI timeline

If you don't get a reply, you can escalate. Each step has statutory teeth — including ₹250/day penalties on the officer under §20.

Day 0 Application filed

Note the diary number / postal receipt date. Reply due in 30 days. If life-or-liberty: 48 hours (§7(1) proviso).

Day 31 First Appeal

No reply, partial reply, or rejection? File a first appeal under §19(1) to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) in the same department within 30 days. No fee.

Day 75+ Second Appeal — CIC / SIC

If FAA also fails, file a second appeal to the Central / State Information Commission under §19(3) within 90 days. CIC can impose ₹250/day penalty on the PIO under §20 (max ₹25,000).

Central Information Commission RTI Online (Central)

Tips for a strong RTI

Do this

Ask for documents, dates, names, copies of file notings — concrete things on record.
Keep questions numbered and short — one fact per question.
Mention the period (date range) the info relates to.
Keep a photocopy + the IPO/receipt safely — you'll need them for appeal.

Avoid this

Don't ask 'why' or 'what is your opinion' — RTI gives info, not opinions.
Don't combine 20 unrelated questions in one application — split them.
Don't ask for info exempted under §8 (national security, cabinet papers, third-party trade secrets).
Don't pay more than ₹10 upfront — additional photocopy charges (₹2/page) are billed later.

This is a starter draft, not legal advice. The Right to Information Act 2005 is your statutory right — no lawyer is needed for filing. For complex cases (CIC second appeals, contempt, life-or-liberty matters), an RTI activist or lawyer can help. KanoonPilot does not file the RTI for you and does not represent you before any commission.