RTI Fee Structure 2026 (Central + State + BPL Waiver)

The standard RTI application fee in 2026 is Rs. 10 for Central Government bodies and most State Governments. §27 of the RTI Act gives each State the power to prescribe its own fee under its own RTI Rules. A few States charge less and a few charge more (up to Rs. 50). BPL applicants pay nothing under §7(5) anywhere in India. Additional charges for photocopies (Rs. 2 per page at the Centre) and inspection of records (Rs. 5 per hour after the first free hour) are billed separately. No fee for a First Appeal under the Central Rules.

For Central Government bodies, Central PSUs, statutory bodies under Union list, and constitutional bodies, the fee structure under the RTI Rules, 2012 is:

• Application fee: Rs. 10.
• Photocopy (A4 / A3): Rs. 2 per page.
• Larger paper size: at actual cost.
• CD or DVD: Rs. 50 each.
• Inspection of records: Free for the first hour, Rs. 5 per subsequent hour or part thereof.
• Samples or models: at actual cost.

Modes accepted: Indian Postal Order, Demand Draft, Court Fee Stamp, Banker's Cheque, or online payment (debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI) where the public authority is on rtionline.gov.in.

The fee is paid in favour of the Accounts Officer of the public authority. The PIO refuses applications without the fee, or treats them as not received until the fee arrives.

Two outliers worth knowing: Tamil Nadu and Haryana charge Rs. 50. Andhra Pradesh charges separate inspection rates per the AP Rules.

For the full list and the latest notification, read the relevant state RTI Rules page on this site.

§7(5) of the Act: no fee shall be charged from persons below the poverty line.

To claim the BPL exemption:

1. Get a BPL card from your Gram Panchayat (rural) or Municipal Corporation (urban) if you do not already hold one. State-issued cards have State-specific names: Antyodaya Anna Yojana card, Yellow ration card, BPL ration card, and similar. All are accepted.
2. Attach a copy of the BPL card with the RTI application. A photocopy is enough; no notarisation required.
3. State in the application: “I am a Below Poverty Line cardholder. A copy of the BPL card is enclosed. §7(5) of the RTI Act exempts me from fee.”
4. Do not pay any fee. Not the application fee, not the photocopy charge, not the inspection charge.

The BPL exemption applies across all stages: original application, First Appeal, Second Appeal, photocopies, inspection, samples. Some State Rules also extend the exemption to senior citizens above 65 (Kerala, for instance). Check the state's own Rules.

After the PIO has identified the records, additional charges apply for supply:

• A4 / A3 photocopy: Rs. 2 per page (Centre and most States). Some States charge Rs. 1 (Delhi) or Rs. 5 (Bihar municipal records).
• Larger paper (drawings, maps): at actual cost. The PIO must give a written estimate before charging.
• Inspection of records: first hour free, then Rs. 5 per hour at the Centre. The PIO must give a written estimate of total time before the visit.
• Information in printed form: at the price the publication is sold for.
• CD or DVD: Rs. 50 each.
• Email or PDF: no fee. Some PIOs charge a “scanning fee” of Rs. 2 per page; this is informal and not legally binding for digital delivery.

When the PIO sends a fee estimate, the 30-day clock pauses until you pay. Pay within 7 days to keep the file alive.

• Indian Postal Order (IPO): the safest mode. Buy from any Post Office. Made out to “Accounts Officer, [Department]”.
• Demand Draft (DD): from any nationalised bank. Higher cost than IPO. Made out to “Accounts Officer, [Department]”.
• Court Fee Stamp: affixed to the application. Common for State Government bodies.
• Treasury Challan: for some State Government bodies. The applicant pays at a State Bank of India branch and attaches the challan stub.
• Online (UPI / cards / net banking): through rtionline.gov.in for Central bodies, or each State's own portal for State bodies.
• Cash: rarely accepted, never advised. Get a receipt if the PIO insists.

Under the Central RTI Rules, 2012: no fee for a First Appeal under §19(1) and no fee for a Second Appeal under §19(3).

A handful of States charge a token fee:

• Bihar: Rs. 25 for the Second Appeal.
• Tamil Nadu: Rs. 50 for the Second Appeal.
• Gujarat: Rs. 25 for the First Appeal.

Most other States follow the Central rule of no fee at the appeal stage. Check the State's own RTI Rules before paying.

• PIO demanding fee in advance for inspection. Wrong. The first hour is free. Pay only if the inspection runs past one hour.
• PIO demanding Rs. 5 per page for photocopies. Wrong at the Centre. Rs. 2 per page is the rate under the 2012 Rules. Cite the Rule in your appeal.
• PIO refusing to accept BPL card. Demand a written refusal, then file a First Appeal citing §7(5).
• PIO insisting on cash. Refuse. Send an IPO by registered post. Cash has no statutory backing under the 2012 Rules.
• PIO charging a “scanning fee” for email delivery. No statutory backing. Refuse and cite the absence in the Rules.

Rs. 10 at the Centre and in most States. Two outliers: Tamil Nadu and Haryana charge Rs. 50. Andhra Pradesh charges Rs. 10 with separate inspection rates. BPL applicants pay nothing under §7(5).

No under the Central RTI Rules, 2012. A few States charge a token fee (Gujarat Rs. 25, others typically nil). Check the State's own RTI Rules before paying.

Yes. A clear photocopy is enough; no notarisation is required. The PIO is required to accept the BPL exemption claim under §7(5) without further proof.

Rs. 2 per A4 page = Rs. 200 for 100 pages. The PIO will send a written fee estimate. Pay within 7 days to keep the file alive.

No. The first hour is free. The Rs. 5 per hour fee starts only from the second hour onward. Track the start and end time at the inspection.

Yes, the PIO will likely return it. Each State prescribes accepted modes (court-fee stamp, IPO, DD, treasury challan, online). Check the relevant State Rules before paying.

BPL applicants are exempt across the board under §7(5). Some States also exempt senior citizens above 65, disabled applicants, or freedom-fighter dependants. Check the State's own RTI Rules.

• RTI Application Format 2026
• File an RTI online via rtionline.gov.in
• UP RTI Rules 2015
• Andhra Pradesh RTI Rules
• West Bengal RTI Rules
• §7 of the RTI Act, fees
• The RTI Playbook. The complete guide to filing RTI in 2026.

• The Right to Information Act, 2005. §7(1), §7(3), §7(5), §27, §28.
• Right to Information Rules, 2012 (Central). Department of Personnel and Training. dopt.gov.in.
• RTI Online Portal. rtionline.gov.in.
• Central Information Commission. cic.gov.in.

Last reviewed: 28 May 2026, RTI Wiki editorial team.