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File RTI in Karnataka — 2026 guide

Need help drafting this RTI? Use our free RTI Assistant — describe your problem, get a ready-to-file Section 6(1) application with your name and address pre-filled. Also handles First Appeal and Second Appeal to the CIC/SIC.

Karnataka accepts RTI at three levels: Central Government (rtionline.gov.in, Rs 10), State Government (Sakala / in-person at the department, Rs 10), and local bodies (BBMP, BDA, BWSSB, etc. — Rs 10-20 depending on corporation). The Karnataka State Information Commission (KSIC) sits at the MS Building, Bengaluru, with a regional bench in Dharwad. Kannada, Hindi and English are all accepted under §4(3). Average response time: 25-40 days.

Where to file — quick map

Department type Where Fee
Central Government (Income Tax, Railways, PSU banks, EPFO) rtionline.gov.in Rs 10
State Government (Revenue, Home, Health, Education, RD&PR, Urban Development) At the department directly, OR via Sakala where enabled Rs 10
BBMP (Bengaluru) BBMP RTI Cell at Hudson Circle, or online at bbmp.gov.in Rs 10
BDA (Bengaluru Development Authority) BDA RTI office, Kumara Park East Rs 10
Karnataka Police District SP office / Commissionerate Rs 10
Zilla Panchayat / BDO Block BDO office Rs 10
Universities (Bangalore Uni, Mysore Uni, etc.) University RTI Cell Rs 10

Karnataka State Information Commission

Fees

Karnataka-specific points

Templates

Template 1 — BBMP property-tax records

Kindly provide the following information under the RTI Act, 2005:

1. Copy of the property-tax assessment for [PID/Khata No.],
   [ward no.], BBMP for the assessment year [year].
2. Copies of any objections filed by the assessee.
3. The current tax-liability status and any arrears as on [date].
4. Copies of notices served in case of non-payment.

Template 2 — BDA allotment file

Kindly provide the following information under the RTI Act, 2005:

1. Copy of the allotment file for [site/plot no.] in [layout name],
   BDA, with all notings, correspondence and approvals.
2. Copy of the payment ledger showing all amounts paid and dues.
3. Current status of possession / sale deed execution.
4. Copies of any representations filed by the allottee.

Template 3 — Karnataka Government service / transfer records

Kindly provide the following information under the RTI Act, 2005:

1. Copy of the office order for my posting/transfer dated [date].
2. Copy of the criteria / transfer policy applied for this posting.
3. Statement of all transfers in [Department] of officers of rank
   [rank] during [period].
4. Copy of any representation files where these transfers were
   challenged.

When an RTI fails — appeal routes

  1. First Appeal to the FAA (one rank above PIO) within 30 days.
  2. Second Appeal to the Karnataka State Information Commission, Bengaluru, within 90 days of FAA decision.
  3. Writ petition to the Karnataka High Court (main bench Bengaluru, benches at Dharwad and Kalaburagi) under Article 226.

Notable Karnataka rulings

FAQs

Q1: Can I file RTI in Kannada? Yes. §4(3) expressly permits local-language filing.

Q2: Is there a unified Karnataka RTI portal? Sakala tracks some department RTIs; there is no single state-wide portal yet. Many departments have their own online submission pages.

Q3: What is the average response time in Karnataka? 25-40 days for routine State RTIs. BBMP often takes 40-50 days. Police matters: 30-45 days.

Q4: Where does the Karnataka SIC sit? MS Building, Dr B.R. Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru, with a regional bench in Dharwad for North Karnataka cases.

Q5: What's the Karnataka-specific RTI fee? Rs 10 for State and local-body RTIs. Rs 2 per copy page. BPL applicants are fully fee-exempt.

Notable RTI rulings from Karnataka (from the case-law corpus)

Browse the full case-law database — 362 curated rulings and filter by court / section / keyword.

External

Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.