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—faqs:cic-no-fee-second-appeal [2026/07/22 17:47] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatitle=No fee for RTI second appeal or CIC complaint — citizen guide 2026
 +metadescription=Filing a second appeal or complaint at CIC is completely free. No court fee, no stamp duty. Even no fee for first appeal. Full fee structure explained.
 +metakeywords=rti second appeal fee, cic complaint fee, no fee second appeal rti, rti appeal free, first appeal fee rti}}
 +
 +====== Is there any fee for filing a second appeal or complaint at CIC? ======
 +
 +
 +
 +{{ :social:auto:faqs-cic-no-fee-second-appeal.png?direct&1200 |Is there any fee for filing a second appeal or complaint at CIC? — RTI Wiki}}
 +
 +<WRAP center round info 95%>
 +**Quick Reply:** Is there any fee for filing a second appeal or complaint at CIC?
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +<WRAP center round tip 100%>
 +**Direct answer:** No fee whatsoever. Filing a second appeal or complaint at the Central Information Commission is completely free. No court fee, no stamp, no postal order. Similarly, the first appeal to the First Appellate Authority is free. Only the original RTI application carries a ₹10 fee (waived for BPL applicants).
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +One of the most important — and underused — features of the RTI Act is that the entire appeal process costs nothing. The ₹10 you pay to file the original RTI is the only point where money changes hands. After that, the government bears the cost of your appeals all the way to CIC.
 +
 +===== What the official portal says =====
 +
 +> "No fee is required for second appeals or complaints." — [[https://cic.gov.in/faqs|CIC FAQ Q12]]
 +> "As per RTI Act, no fee has to be paid for first appeal." — [[https://rtionline.gov.in/faq.php|rtionline.gov.in FAQ Q8]]
 +
 +===== RTI fee structure in full =====
 +
 +**Original RTI application**: ₹10 for citizens who are not BPL. Nil for BPL applicants (RTI Act 2005, §7(5), with BPL certificate required).
 +
 +**Additional fee for information**: If the CPIO determines you need physical copies, inspection time, or diskettes, they may charge additional fees per the RTI Rules — typically ₹2 per page for photocopies. These are prescribed in the Central Information Commission (Management) Regulations 2007.
 +
 +**First appeal**: Free. RTI Act 2005, §19(1) does not prescribe any fee.
 +
 +**Second appeal/complaint at CIC**: Free. RTI Act 2005, §19(3) and §18 do not prescribe any fee.
 +
 +===== When additional information fees are legitimate =====
 +
 +If the CPIO sends you an intimation about additional fees (for copies or inspection time), this is legitimate under §7(3). You can pay this via View Status on the portal. Challenge it at first appeal if you believe the fee calculation is excessive or unauthorized.
 +
 +If a CPIO asks you to pay any fee for filing an appeal itself — at any stage — that is illegal and grounds for a complaint to CIC.
 +
 +===== What to do =====
 +
 +  - **File your first appeal at no cost**: through rtionline.gov.in or by post/in-person at the First Appellate Authority.
 +  - **File your second appeal or complaint at CIC at no cost**: through [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]] or physically at CIC Bhawan, Munirka, New Delhi-110067.
 +  - **Reject any demand for fee**: if any official asks you to pay a fee to file a first appeal, second appeal, or complaint, note it and mention it in your filing as a ground of complaint.
 +
 +===== FAQ =====
 +
 +==== What is the cost of getting copies of documents from the CPIO? ====
 +Under Central RTI Rules, ₹2 per page for A4/A3 photocopies; ₹5 per page for A3 oversized; actual cost for floppy disks/diskettes. Sample documents: first page is free if the CPIO provides it. Check your state's RTI rules for state authority costs.
 +
 +==== Do I need a lawyer to file at CIC? ====
 +No. The RTI system is designed for self-filing. Many citizens appear in person or send written submissions. Legal representation is allowed but not required.
 +
 +==== Is travel to Delhi required for a CIC hearing? ====
 +Not necessarily. CIC offers video conferencing at most district NIC centers (CIC FAQ Q25). You can attend your hearing from your district headquarters.
 +
 +==== Does CIC charge for sending me a copy of its final order? ====
 +No. CIC orders are provided free of cost to all parties and are also published on the CIC website (CIC FAQ Q37).
 +
 +===== Related tools and pages =====
 +
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|First Appeal Builder]] — generate a free first appeal draft
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/faqs/rti-complaint-vs-second-appeal-cic|Complaint vs Second Appeal — which to file]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/faqs/cic-start|All CIC FAQs index]]
 +  * [[https://cic.gov.in|Central Information Commission — file online]]
 +
 +{{tag>cic fee filing second appeal complaint}}