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—faqs:rti-online-state-authority [2026/07/22 17:47] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatitle=Can I file RTI online for state government? Citizen guide 2026
 +metadescription=rtionline.gov.in only covers central government. State RTI must be filed via your state portal or physically. See how to find your state's RTI portal.
 +metakeywords=rti online state government, file rti for state authority online, state rti portal, rtionline state}}
 +
 +====== Can I file RTI online for state public authorities? ======
 +
 +
 +
 +{{ :social:auto:faqs-rti-online-state-authority.png?direct&1200 |Can I file RTI online for state public authorities? — RTI Wiki}}
 +
 +<WRAP center round info 95%>
 +**Quick Reply:** Can I file RTI online for state public authorities?
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +<WRAP center round tip 100%>
 +**Direct answer:** No. rtionline.gov.in is exclusively for Central Government public authorities. For state government departments, districts, municipalities, schools, hospitals, and state PSUs, you must use your state's own RTI portal (if available) or file a physical application.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +This is the most common misfiling error on rtionline.gov.in. A citizen files an RTI about their state electricity board, state police, municipal corporation, or government school — and the application bounces back with no refund on the ₹10 fee. The portal is clear about this restriction but many citizens only discover it after filing.
 +
 +===== What the official portal says =====
 +
 +> "No. This Portal is exclusively meant for Public Authorities under Central Govt. only." — [[https://rtionline.gov.in/faq.php|rtionline.gov.in FAQ Q23]]
 +
 +===== Why this matters =====
 +
 +India has two separate RTI tracks: Central and State. The Central Government runs ministries, departments, central PSUs (like BSNL, Coal India, Railways), central universities, and bodies funded by the Centre. Everything else — state police, PWD, municipality, panchayat, state universities, ration shops, state hospitals — falls under the respective state government and its own RTI machinery.
 +
 +The RTI Act 2005 applies to both, but each state has its own State Information Commission (SIC), its own state-level appellate chain, and its own online portal (where available).
 +
 +If you file a central-portal RTI for a state authority, the Nodal Officer will return it. Under §6(3) of the RTI Act, a CPIO can transfer to the right authority only within the same government chain. Cross-government transfers do not happen, and your ₹10 fee is not refunded.
 +
 +===== What to do — step by step =====
 +
 +  - **Identify the authority**: Is it a Central Government body or a State Government body? Central bodies have "Government of India" letterheads; state bodies have their state government's name.
 +  - **If Central**: file at [[https://rtionline.gov.in|rtionline.gov.in]] normally.
 +  - **If State**: search for "[Your State] RTI online portal" to check if an online option exists. Maharashtra has mahartionline.gov.in, Rajasthan has rtirajasthan.rajasthan.gov.in.
 +  - **If no state portal exists**: draft your RTI application in writing (typed or handwritten), attach a ₹10 postal order or court fee stamp (amount varies by state — check your state RTI rules), address to the CPIO of the specific office, and send by registered post or submit in person.
 +  - **Keep proof**: for physical filings, retain the post office receipt. Most states do not offer online tracking.
 +  - **On no reply in 30 days**: file a first appeal with the First Appellate Authority of that department (RTI Act 2005, §19(1)).
 +
 +===== Central vs State — common examples =====
 +
 +Railways (Indian Railways) is Central — file at rtionline.gov.in. Post offices, EPFO, and central banks are Central. State police, municipal corporations, government schools, state electricity boards, ration shops, and state hospitals are State — use the state portal or physical filing.
 +
 +===== FAQ =====
 +
 +==== What happens to the ₹10 I paid if I filed for a state authority on rtionline? ====
 +The portal returns the application but does not automatically refund the fee. Email [email protected] with your transaction details to request a refund. This is a known portal limitation.
 +
 +==== Are state RTI fees the same as central (₹10)? ====
 +Most states charge ₹10, but some vary. Check your State Information Commission website for the exact fee and accepted payment modes.
 +
 +==== Can I file RTI about a private company? ====
 +Only if that private company is substantially financed by government or performs a delegated public function (RTI Act 2005, §2(h)). Purely private companies are not covered.
 +
 +==== Is there a universal RTI portal covering all states? ====
 +No. As of 2026, there is no single pan-India portal covering all states. Each state maintains its own system. The Central portal (rtionline.gov.in) is Central Government only.
 +
 +===== Related tools and pages =====
 +
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]] — draft your RTI application for any authority
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI]] — file RTI by voice in your language
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/faqs/rtionline-start|All RTI Online Portal FAQs]] — portal guidance index
 +  * [[https://cic.gov.in|Central Information Commission]] — second appeals for Central RTIs
 +
 +{{tag>rti file state public authorities}}