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+{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(RTI fee India, how much RTI costs, RTI application fee, RTI fee 2026, RTI 10 rupees, RTI fee by state)
+metatag-description=(The RTI fee in India is ₹10 for central government applications. State fees vary from ₹10 to ₹50. BPL applicants are completely exempt. Additional fees apply for copies and inspection.)
+metatag-title=(What is the RTI fee in India?)}}
+====== What is the RTI fee in India? ======
+<WRAP center round tip 95%>
+**Direct answer:** The RTI application fee for central government public authorities is ₹10, payable by Indian Postal Order, Demand Draft, or online (UPI/card) at rtionline.gov.in. State fees vary from ₹10 to ₹50 per application. BPL applicants are 100% exempt under §7(5). There is no fee for First Appeals, Second Appeals, or Complaints.
+</WRAP>
+===== In plain English =====
+When you file an RTI, the fee is the small payment that activates your request. It is not a barrier — at ₹10 for central RTIs, it is cheaper than a cup of tea. The fee exists mainly as an administrative filter to distinguish genuine requests from casual ones.
+**Example:** Nadia files an RTI to the Ministry of Railways about her EPF claim. She pays ₹10 on rtionline.gov.in via UPI. Done. For a state RTI, she would check her state's fee — her state charges ₹20, payable by IPO.
+If the PIO asks for a higher fee than the statutory rate, that is illegal — a §18 Complaint to the CIC/SIC.
+===== Fee table — all modes =====
+| **Authority** | **Application fee** | **Payment modes** |
+| Central (rtionline.gov.in) | ₹10 | UPI, credit/debit card, net banking |
+| Most states | ₹10-20 | IPO, court fee stamp, cash at counter |
+| Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana | ₹50 | IPO, DD |
+| Gujarat | ₹20 | IPO, court fee stamp |
+| BPL applicants (all states) | Nil | Attach BPL certificate |
+| Armed forces / security bodies | ₹10 (§24 exemptions apply) | IPO |
+===== Additional fees you may be charged =====
+  * **Copies §7(3)(a):** ₹2 per A4 page (some states ₹5). After the first 50 pages of a large request, additional copies are at ₹2/page.
+  * **Inspection §7(9):** ₹5-10 per 15 minutes after the first free hour.
+  * **Electronic format §7(3)(b):** At actual cost of the media (CD/USB).
+  * **No fee** for: First Appeal (§19), Second Appeal (§19), Complaints (§18).
+===== Why it matters for citizens =====
+  * **BPL exemption is fully-effective** — attach your BPL card or ration card showing BPL category. No fee at all.
+  * **Overpaying the fee is a common mistake.** Some applicants send ₹50 for a central RTI — only ₹10 is required. Excess is refunded but creates processing delays.
+  * **IPO is the safest payment mode for postal RTIs.** An Indian Postal Order is issued at any post office, does not expire, and is the government-recognised payment instrument. Keep the counterfoil.
+  * **Additional fee notices.** If the PIO calculates additional copy/inspection fees, they must inform you within 7 working days under §7(3). You can appeal the fee calculation.
+===== Related sections of the RTI Act =====
+  * **§6(1)** — fee payment as part of filing.
+  * **§7(3)** — additional copy/inspection fees.
+  * **§7(5)** — BPL exemption.
+  * **§18(1)(c)** — complaint route if PIO charges excess fee.
+  * **RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005** — prescribes ₹10 for central.
+===== Related tools =====
+  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-fee-calculator-app.html|RTI Fee Calculator]] — exact fee for any state in India.
+  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]] — auto-calculates fee mode and includes correct payment instruction.
+  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/definitions/bpl-fee-waiver-rti|BPL fee waiver — full guide]].
+===== Frequently asked questions =====
+==== Can I pay RTI fee by cash? ====
+Depends on the state. Some states allow cash payment at the PIO's counter. Central RTI (rtionline.gov.in) does not accept cash — only online payment. For postal RTI to central authorities, use an IPO.
+==== What is an Indian Postal Order and where do I get it? ====
+An IPO is a government-issued payment instrument available at any post office in India, in denominations of ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10, ₹20, ₹50 etc. Buy a ₹10 IPO, fill in the "payable to" field as the name of the public authority, and attach it to your RTI letter.
+==== Is there a fee for an RTI appeal? ====
+No. There is absolutely no statutory fee for a First Appeal (§19(1)), Second Appeal (§19(3)), or Complaint (§18). Any demand for fee at the appeal stage is illegal.
+===== Sources =====
+  * Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005
+  * Right to Information Act, 2005 — §§6(1), 7(3), 7(5), 18(1)(c)
+  * State RTI fee rules (state-specific notifications)
+//Last reviewed: May 2026. Part of the RTI Wiki definitions series.//
+{{tag>definitions rti-fee rti-act 2026 fee}}