The §7(5) BPL waiver is the most progressive single provision in the RTI Act — it equalises access for the poorest. About 3.7 lakh BPL households filed RTIs in 2024-25 (CIC + state SIC data, approximate). Rejection / delay rates among BPL applicants were comparable to general applicants — but PIOs' attempts to charge fee despite BPL proof is one of the top reasons for First Appeals nationally. Information Commissions take §7(5) violations seriously; multiple penal orders exist.

This guide is for citizens who:

• Hold (or are family members of) a current BPL ration card / AAY card / Annapurna scheme card / equivalent state poverty proxy.
• Have a specific reason to file an RTI — typically about a government scheme, pension, ration, housing, or service that affects them directly.
• Have already read or are reading How to write an effective RTI application for the substantive drafting.

If you do not yet have a BPL card but are eligible, get the card first — see How to apply for a BPL ration card for the procedure. Without the card, the §7(5) waiver does not apply (though some states accept other proxies — see below).

1. Apply for BPL card if not held.
2. Draft RTI under §6(1) with §7(5) paragraph and BPL proof.
3. §7(5) waiver claimed at PIO stage — the topic of this guide.
4. First Appeal under §19(1) if PIO disputes BPL status or charges fee — see How to file First Appeal under §19(1).
5. Second Appeal under §19(3) at CIC / SIC if FAA also fails — see How to file Second Appeal at CIC / SIC.

The §7(5) waiver is automatic if the proof is in order. Most stuck cases turn on (a) PIO not noticing the BPL annexure, (b) state portal not accepting BPL upload, © PIO disputing the validity of the BPL card. All are appealable.

Under §7(5) of the Right to Information Act, 2005:

“Where access to information is to be provided in the printed or in any electronic format, the applicant shall, subject to the proviso to sub-section (6), pay such fee as may be prescribed: Provided that the fee prescribed under sub-section (1) of section 6 and sub-sections (1) and (5) of section 7 shall be reasonable and no such fee shall be charged from the persons who are of below poverty line as may be determined by the appropriate Government.”

In plain language: BPL persons pay nothing for RTI — not the application fee, not the copying / printing fee, not the electronic-format fee.

This is reinforced by:

• RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules 2012 (central) — Rule 5©: “For the purpose of sub-section (5) of section 7 of the Act, the persons of below poverty line shall be exempted from payment of any fee.”
• Each state has parallel state RTI Rules with similar provisions (some are even more generous — e.g., Rajasthan extends to certain non-BPL low-income categories; Tamil Nadu allows widow / SC-ST proof).

The Aditya Bandopadhyay v. CBSE (2011) 8 SCC 497 principle of “disclosure as default” reinforces this — the Court has held the RTI Act must be read in a manner that maximises citizen access. Charging a BPL applicant fee is not a procedural misstep; it is a substantive defeat of legislative intent. CIC has imposed §20 penalties accordingly.

The Act doesn't define BPL itself — it leaves it to “the appropriate Government” (Centre or State). In practice, accepted proofs across most states are:

• BPL ration card — yellow / pink / orange depending on state. The most universally accepted.
• Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card — for the poorest of the poor; 35 kg foodgrain allotment monthly. Always treated as BPL.
• Annapurna scheme card — for indigent senior citizens not getting any pension; 10 kg foodgrain monthly. Treated as BPL in most states.
• Priority Households (PHH) ration card under NFSA 2013 — accepted as BPL proxy in most states (since the NFSA framework subsumed the older BPL list).
• State-issued BPL certificate — issued by the Tehsildar / Mamlatdar / SDM.
• Income certificate showing income below state BPL threshold — accepted in some states (Karnataka, Kerala).
• MGNREGA Job Card holder — accepted in some states (Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) as a poverty proxy.
• JSY (Janani Suraksha Yojana) beneficiary card — for women in below-poverty pregnancy support.
• Antyoday e-Shram card (since 2021) — informally accepted in some PSU-PIO offices as poverty proxy.

A family member of a BPL household — including the named spouse or children on the ration card — can claim §7(5) for an RTI in their own name (most states). Some states require the cardholder personally to file; check state rules.

• Application fee — central RTI ₹10 / state RTI ₹10-50.
• Copying charges — ₹2 per A4 page (central; varies state).
• Inspection charges — first hour free; ₹5 per 15 minutes thereafter normally — fully waived for BPL.
• Soft-copy / CD / pen-drive cost — typically ₹50 (CD); waived for BPL in central rules. Some states still charge media cost (the actual CD) but not the data.
• Postage — central rules silent; some states (Karnataka, Maharashtra) waive postal cost up to ₹50; others do not. If contested, raise at First Appeal.

Most BPL ration cards are issued for a fixed period (typically 5 years) and renewed automatically based on the state's poverty list update. If yours is more than 5 years old:

• Check the validity printed on the card.
• Visit the Tehsildar / Mamlatdar / Talathi / Patwari / FPS (Fair Price Shop) inspector to confirm.
• Renew if expired. See How to apply for a BPL ration card.

A clearly expired card may cause the PIO to demand fee — refile with current card.

Draft per How to write an effective RTI application. Keep questions specific, ask for documents not opinions, cite §6(1) of the RTI Act.

Insert this paragraph in the cover letter, right after the request body and before your contact details:

[Cover letter §7(5) paragraph]

I am a Below Poverty Line (BPL) category citizen, as evidenced by:

  - My BPL Ration Card No. [XXXX] issued by the [State] Government,
    Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, valid up
    to [DD/MM/YYYY].

[OR — pick whichever applies]

  - My Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Card No. [XXXX].
  - My Priority Households (PHH) Ration Card No. [XXXX] under
    National Food Security Act, 2013.
  - My BPL Certificate issued by Tehsildar [Name], dated [DD/MM/YYYY].

A self-attested copy of the said document is enclosed at Annexure 1
of this application.

As per Section 7(5) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 read with
Rule 5(c) of the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2012 (or the
corresponding State RTI Rules), no application fee, copying charges,
inspection charges, or any other fee is payable in respect of this
application. I request the Hon'ble Public Information Officer to
process this application on this basis.

• Self-attested photocopy of BPL ration card (front + back, full address visible).
• If the card is in your spouse's / parent's name and you're a listed family member, attach identity proof (Aadhaar, voter ID) showing the same address — to establish your link to the household.
• Some PIOs ask for an additional declaration on plain paper: “I, [Name], do hereby declare that I am a BPL category cardholder and the enclosed document is a true copy.” — Add it pre-emptively.

* Online (rtionline.gov.in for central PAs):

1. Click “Submit Request” → fill the form.
2. At the “Fee” section, the system asks: “Are you a BPL applicant?” — Click Yes.
3. Upload the BPL card / certificate as PDF / image (max ~1 MB).
4. The system waives the ₹10 fee automatically — no payment screen appears.
5. You get a registration number.

* State RTI portals: Most have a similar BPL upload feature. Maharashtra (aaplesarkar), Karnataka, Kerala, MP, UP all support it. A few smaller states still require offline filing for BPL. * Postal (Speed Post): No fee enclosed. Cover letter clearly invokes §7(5). BPL proof annexed. Speed Post receipt is your filing proof. * In-person at PA's reception: Two copies. Reception stamps both. Keep applicant's copy. PIO may ask to see the original BPL card briefly — show, don't surrender.

Same as any RTI. PIO has 30 days under §7(1). If life / liberty matter, 48 hours under §7(2).

When the PIO responds, three possible scenarios:

• Information provided free of cost — best case. Done.
• Information provided but fee demanded despite BPL proof — appeal under §19(1). The PIO has violated §7(5).
• Information refused / not provided — appeal under §19(1) on the substantive ground; raise §7(5) compliance separately if relevant.

Use this template in addition to the standard First Appeal cover letter:

[Additional paragraph in First Appeal cover letter]

The PIO has, despite the BPL ration card / certificate annexed at
Annexure [X] to my original RTI application, demanded a fee of ₹[XX]
for processing the application. This is in direct violation of:

  (a) Section 7(5) of the Right to Information Act, 2005;
  (b) Rule 5(c) of the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2012;
  (c) Multiple orders of the Hon'ble Central Information Commission /
      State Information Commission [cite if known], holding that
      charging fee from a BPL applicant is wilful obstruction
      attracting penalty under Section 20.

I respectfully pray that this Hon'ble First Appellate Authority may
direct the PIO to:
  (a) Process the RTI application free of cost in accordance with
      §7(5);
  (b) Provide all information / copies / inspection without any
      charge;
  (c) Tender written apology for charging fee from a BPL applicant.

I further pray that this Hon'ble Authority may recommend penalty
proceedings under §20 against the PIO for malafide refusal to honour
§7(5).

+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Application fee (general RTI)     | ₹10 (central + most states).         |
| Application fee (BPL — §7(5))     | NIL.                                 |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Copying charges (general)         | ₹2 per A4 page (central).            |
| Copying charges (BPL — §7(5))     | NIL.                                 |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Inspection (general)              | First hour free; ₹5 per 15 min.      |
| Inspection (BPL — §7(5))          | NIL throughout.                      |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Soft-copy / CD / pen-drive cost   | NIL for BPL (central); some states   |
|                                   | charge media cost only.              |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Speed Post for filing             | ~₹40-50; not waived (your cost).     |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| First Appeal fee                  | NIL — for everyone, BPL or not.      |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Second Appeal fee                 | NIL at CIC; ₹0-50 at SICs.           |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Accepted BPL proofs               | BPL ration card / AAY card /         |
|                                   | Annapurna card / NFSA PHH card /     |
|                                   | Tehsildar BPL certificate / income   |
|                                   | certificate (some states) / MGNREGA  |
|                                   | job card (some states).              |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| §20 penalty for §7(5) violation   | ₹250/day, max ₹25,000 — imposed by   |
|                                   | CIC/SIC at Second Appeal stage.      |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+

• BPL certificate expired. PIO can technically demand fee. Renew at Tehsildar (usually 7-15 days) and refile, or attach an application acknowledgement of pending renewal with a covering note.
• PA disputes BPL category. Some PAs argue your BPL card was issued under a different state and not valid here. Counter — the central RTI Act doesn't restrict to “state of issue”; a valid BPL card issued anywhere in India is sufficient. Cite this in First Appeal.
• Non-BPL household member files claiming family BPL. Some states accept; others (Tamil Nadu, Kerala) prefer the BPL cardholder personally. Attach Aadhaar showing common address; in worst case, get the cardholder to co-sign.
• Copy charges still demanded after BPL proof. This is the most common §7(5) violation. The CIC has imposed penalty in landmark orders — cite CIC/CC/A/2010/000115 (and similar) on §7(5) penalty in your First Appeal. Don't pay; appeal.
• State RTI portal doesn't recognise BPL upload. Technical glitch. File offline by Speed Post with BPL proof annexed; the offline channel is always valid.
• PIO claims: “BPL waiver only on application fee, not on copying” — Wrong. §7(5) and Rule 5© cover all fees. Cite the rule explicitly in First Appeal.
• PIO claims: “Information is large; will charge ₹0.50 per page even for BPL” — Also wrong. There is no “discounted rate” for BPL; the rate is zero.
• PIO returns the application saying: “Please pay fee first” — Refile by Speed Post with the §7(5) paragraph highlighted. If returned again, treat as deemed refusal under §7(2) and file First Appeal.

Before escalating, send a one-page reminder citing §7(5), Rule 5©, and asking the PIO to revisit. Many PIOs comply when the legal citation is repeated in writing — it shifts the matter from “office routine” to “documented violation”.

The most effective single step. Use the §7(5)-specific paragraph above. FAA orders are usually quick on §7(5) violations because the law is unambiguous. See How to file First Appeal under §19(1).

If FAA also fails (rare for §7(5) cases — most allow), file Second Appeal expressly praying for §20 penalty. CIC and several SICs have imposed penalties in §7(5) violation cases. See How to file Second Appeal at CIC / SIC.

Parallel to Second Appeal, file a CPGRAMS complaint at https://pgportal.gov.in → Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT, the nodal ministry for RTI). Tag the PA, attach the §7(5) violation evidence. Typically routed to the PA's nodal officer for action. Useful for putting public pressure.

Reserved for cases where even CIC/SIC fails. Free Legal Aid Cell at the High Court can help BPL litigants — under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, every BPL person is entitled to free legal aid in a writ matter.

Several civil-society organisations support RTI applicants — National Campaign for People's Right to Information (NCPRI), Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), Common Cause, RTI Foundation of India. A short email with your case file often gets a sympathetic activist to assist with drafting / appearance.

Q. I have an APL (Above Poverty Line) ration card but my actual income is below the state BPL threshold. Can I claim §7(5)?
Strictly, no — §7(5) is anchored to the BPL list. But you can apply for a BPL certificate from your Tehsildar based on your actual income (typically ₹27,000-50,000 annual depending on state) and use the certificate. Or apply for downgrade of your APL to BPL through the state's food and civil supplies portal.

Q. The PIO has provided info but charged ₹16 copying fee. Can I just pay and move on?
You can — no legal compulsion to appeal. But by paying, you implicitly waive your §7(5) right. If you don't appeal, you set a precedent for the PIO to repeat the violation against other BPL applicants. Many citizens choose to file First Appeal precisely for this institutional reason.

Q. I'm a BPL widow. Are there additional waivers beyond §7(5)?
Some states have stacked waivers — e.g., Tamil Nadu and Kerala give widows / single women / SC-ST applicants additional concessions even at FAA / Second Appeal stage (free postage, expedited hearings). Check your state RTI Rules.

Q. The PIO says: “We don't accept your state's BPL card; only our state's BPL list applies.” Is this legal?
No. §7(5) doesn't restrict to “state of issue”. The Act is a Central enactment; a valid BPL card from any state in India qualifies. Cite this in First Appeal; CIC has consistently held in favour of cross-state validity.

Q. Can a non-BPL family member (e.g., son working in a city) file RTI on behalf of his BPL parents and claim §7(5)?
The cleaner route: parent files in their own name (with son's address as correspondence address). If parent cannot sign, get a written authorisation. Filing in non-BPL son's name may not qualify — the applicant himself must be BPL.

Q. The PIO says: “The information involves 240 pages; the cost would be ₹480 even at the BPL rate.” There is no BPL rate; it's zero.
Correct — there is no discounted rate. Reply in writing citing §7(5) + Rule 5© + ask for free disclosure. If PIO persists, this is a clear case for First Appeal with §20 penalty prayer.

Q. My BPL ration card expired six months ago and I haven't renewed. Can I still use it?
Strictly, an expired card is grounds for the PIO to refuse the §7(5) claim. Two practical options: (a) get the renewal first (7-15 days at Tehsildar) and then file RTI with current card; (b) attach the expired card plus the renewal application receipt — some PIOs and most FAAs will accept this in a “spirit of the Act” view.

Q. The state RTI portal won't let me submit without paying ₹10 fee, even after I selected “BPL” and uploaded the card.
A technical bug. Two routes: (a) screenshot the error, file by Speed Post offline with the same BPL proof; (b) email the state SIC's tech support pointing out the portal's failure to honour §7(5). Some states have fixed it within days when notified.

Q. Does the §7(5) waiver also apply to RTIs about purely commercial matters (e.g., stock-broker complaints to SEBI)?
Yes — §7(5) is universal across all RTIs, regardless of subject matter. The eligibility test is the applicant (BPL or not), not the subject of the RTI.

• How to apply for a BPL ration card — complete 2026 guide
• How to write an effective RTI application — complete 2026 guide
• How to file First Appeal under §19(1) — complete 2026 guide
• How to file Second Appeal to CIC / SIC — complete 2026 guide
• RTI in 12 simple steps — for first-time filers
• All Indian government helplines — one master directory
• RTI forms + state-wise fee chart

Last reviewed: 26 April 2026 by RTI Wiki editorial team. State BPL thresholds and accepted proofs change; verify on your state's food and civil supplies portal or write to admin@bighelpers.in if you spot a stale figure.