RTI portal not allowing me to file first appeal online — why and fix

You filed your RTI online, 30 days have passed, the CPIO has either not replied or given an unsatisfactory answer — and now the portal's “Submit First Appeal” button is grayed out or throwing an error. This has one of two causes, both fixable.

“Application physically transferred to non-aligned authority requires physical appeal; CPIO has not replied and 30 days have not passed — file appeal only after 30 days.” — rtionline.gov.in FAQ Q14

If the portal nodal officer transferred your application physically (not electronically) to another authority — especially a state body or a public authority not connected to the portal — that authority is outside the online system. It does not have a portal account to receive electronic appeals. Your first appeal against their reply must also be filed physically (written letter, registered post) to the First Appellate Authority of that department.

How to check: In View Status, look for “Physically transferred to [authority name].” That is the signal to switch to physical process.

Under RTI Act 2005, §19(1), the right to file a first appeal arises when (a) the CPIO has given a decision you want to challenge, or (b) no reply has been received within 30 days of filing (or 48 hours in life/liberty matters). The portal enforces this — it will not accept the appeal form until day 31.

Count only working days if your authority is in an office that observes specific holidays, but the RTI Act counts calendar days, not working days, for the 30-day rule.

1. Check View Status to identify whether your application was electronically processed or physically transferred.
2. If physically transferred: draft a written first appeal addressed to “The First Appellate Authority, [name of authority]”. Send by registered post. Keep post office receipt.
3. If still within 30 days: wait until day 31 from filing. Then return to “Submit First Appeal” on the portal — it should unlock.
4. If it is day 31+ and still blocked after an electronic RTI: clear browser cache, try a different browser, or email [email protected] with your registration number.
5. First appeal is free: RTI Act 2005, §19(1) specifies no fee for first appeal. Do not pay anything.

There is no specific statutory limit on first appeals, but the RTI Act implies “within a reasonable time.” Common practice and CIC orders suggest filing within 90 days of the cause. File as soon as you can.

Only if the CPIO has registered your manual application in the online portal and sent you the registration number via email/SMS. If not registered online, your first appeal must also be physical (FAQ Q24 on the portal).

File a second appeal or complaint with the Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days of the FAA's decision (or non-decision after 45 days).

No. First appeals are designed for self-filing. Use the First Appeal Builder to draft it quickly.

• First Appeal Builder — auto-draft your first appeal
• PIO Reply Checker — check if CPIO response is adequate
• CIC Second Appeal and Complaint FAQs — what to do if first appeal fails
• All RTI Online Portal FAQs