📱Test our Android app — free beta!Join Beta GroupYou'll receive the install link by email after joining.

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.


—file-rti-in-kerala [2026/07/10 22:33] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
Line 1: Line 1:
 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(rti kerala,how to file rti kerala,rti portal kerala,state information commission kerala,rti application kerala,rti fee kerala,rti procedure kerala 2026,rti online kerala)&metatag-description=(Step-by-step guide to filing an RTI application in Kerala — state portal, fee, SIC address, sample template and appeal path. Rs. 10 fee. 2026 edition.)}}
  
 +
 +====== How to File RTI in Kerala — Online & Postal Guide (2026) ======
 +
 +
 +
 +<WRAP center round tip 95%>
 +**Need help drafting this RTI?** Use our free **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-assistant-app.html|RTI Assistant]]** — describe your problem, get a ready-to-file Section 6(1) application with your name and address pre-filled. Also handles First Appeal and Second Appeal to the CIC/SIC.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +{{ :social:auto:file-rti-in-kerala.png?direct&1200 |How to file RTI in Kerala — RTI Wiki }}
 +
 +
 +<WRAP center round info 95%>
 +**In one line.** File your RTI either **online** at **https://sic.kerala.gov.in** or by **Speed Post** to the Public Information Officer of the concerned department. Fee **Rs. 10** (Rs. 2 per page (A4); Rs. 50 per CD for copies). Statutory reply in **30 days**. If refused or silent, file a **First Appeal under §19(1) within 30 days**, then a **Second Appeal** to **Kerala State Information Commission (KSIC)**.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +
 +
 +**Step-by-step guide to filing an RTI application in Kerala — state portal, fee, SIC address, sample template and appeal path. Rs. 10 fee. 2026 edition.**
 +
 +Part of **[[:file-rti-online-india|How to file RTI online in India]]** — this page covers the Kerala state procedure.
 +
 +===== Where to file — the two routes =====
 +
 +==== Online (faster) ====
 +
 +  * **Portal:** ''https://sic.kerala.gov.in''
 +  * Works for most Kerala state departments, public undertakings, and major urban local bodies.
 +  * Fee is paid online through SBI e-Pay.
 +  * You get a **unique Registration Number** that you use for all follow-ups.
 +
 +==== By post (when the portal does not cover the public authority) ====
 +
 +  * Address the application to the **Public Information Officer, [Name of Public Authority], [Full address]**.
 +  * Send by **Speed Post with Acknowledgement Due**. Retain the receipt — it is your filing evidence.
 +  * Enclose the fee in one of the accepted modes: online via Kerala RTI portal; IPO / DD / cash receipt at the concerned office; court-fee stamp.
 +
 +===== Fees — the exact breakdown =====
 +
 +  * **Application fee:** **Rs. 10** (BPL applicants: free, on production of a BPL card copy).
 +  * **Additional cost for copies:** Rs. 2 per page (A4); Rs. 50 per CD.
 +  * **Inspection of records:** free for the first hour; Rs. 5 for each subsequent 15 minutes (standard state rule).
 +  * **Fee modes:** online via Kerala RTI portal; IPO / DD / cash receipt at the concerned office; court-fee stamp.
 +
 +Governing rules: //Kerala Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2006//.
 +
 +===== Sample RTI application — Kerala format =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To,
 +The Public Information Officer,
 +[Name of Public Authority],
 +[Full Address, Kerala]
 +[PIN Code]
 +
 +Subject: Request for information under Section 6(1) of the
 +Right to Information Act, 2005.
 +
 +Sir / Madam,
 +
 +I, [Full Name], resident of [Complete Address with PIN], a citizen of
 +India, request the following information / records under the RTI Act:
 +
 +1. [Specific record, file number, or data you want — name the document]
 +2. [Date / period — anchor the timeframe]
 +3. [Identifier — your application number, account number, or similar]
 +4. Name and contact of the First Appellate Authority for this office.
 +
 +I enclose Rs. 10 by way of [IPO No. / DD No. / online payment ref.]
 +in favour of [Accounts Officer, concerned department].
 +
 +Please send the information to the address below by Registered Post.
 +
 +Yours faithfully,
 +[Signature]
 +Name:    __________________
 +Address: __________________
 +PIN:     __________________
 +Mobile:  __________________
 +Date:    __________________
 +</code>
 +
 +Need a topic-specific template? Pick from the **[[:guide:applicant:application:sample:start|sample RTI library]]** — FIR, admission, exam marks, ration card, pension, refund, and more.
 +
 +===== What happens next — the 30-day clock =====
 +
 +  - **Day 0** — PIO receives your RTI.
 +  - **Day 0–5** — Transfer under §6(3) if the matter sits with another public authority; the 30-day clock restarts from the date of transfer.
 +  - **Day 10–25** — Most routine requests are answered.
 +  - **Day 30** — Statutory reply deadline. Silence = deemed refusal under §7(2).
 +  - **Day 31 → Day 60** — **First Appeal** under §19(1) to the **Department FAA (one rank above PIO).**.
 +  - **Day 75 → Day 165** — **Second Appeal** under §19(3) to **KSIC at Thiruvananthapuram.**.
 +
 +For deadlines in detail, see **[[:faa-first-appeal-timelines|First Appeal timelines]]** and **[[:faa-appellate-review-checklist|FAA appellate-review checklist]]**.
 +
 +===== Kerala-specific things to know =====
 +
 +  * Kerala HC produced the ratio that the Supreme Court affirmed in //Thalappalam// (2013) — co-operative society RTI status is fact-driven, not automatic.
 +  * Kerala SIC has a strong track record on file-noting disclosure (//Treesa Irish// line).
 +  * Malayalam is the preferred language; English is accepted.
 +  * For Panchayat-level RTI, each Gram Panchayat Secretary is a PIO; use the state portal or file in person.
 +
 +===== State Information Commission — contact =====
 +
 +  * **Name:** Kerala State Information Commission (KSIC)
 +  * **Address:** Punnen Road, Thiruvananthapuram - 695039
 +  * **Website:** ''keralasic.gov.in''
 +
 +For §19(3) Second Appeals, file directly to the Commission's Registry — postal or online where the Commission's portal allows.
 +
 +===== Common mistakes when filing from Kerala =====
 +
 +  * Filing at the wrong PIO — route via the concerned department, not the generic state grievance portal.
 +  * Asking "why" questions. **Ask for records, not answers** — see [[:blog:how-to-write-rti-application|the records-not-answers drafting guide]].
 +  * Missing the fee payment — even online filings fail if the payment is not completed.
 +  * Skipping the application reference / identifier that lets the PIO locate your file.
 +  * Drafting in English when the authority uses a regional language — use either, but be consistent.
 +
 +===== Notable RTI rulings from Kerala (from the case-law corpus) =====
 +
 +  * **[[:cases:hc-kerala-rti-lokayukta-2024|Lokayukta inquiry report RTI — Kerala HC 2024]]** — Concluded anti-corruption findings are public; live inquiries are protected.
 +  * **[[:cases:hc-kerala-rti-beverage-corporation-2022|Kerala Beverage Corp records — Kerala HC]]** — KSBC = §2(h); tender + licensing + revenue records disclosable.
 +  * **[[:cases:kerala-hc-rti-service-book-personal-2021|Service book disclosure to public servant — Kerala HC]]** — Own service book + notings fully accessible; §8(1)(j) protects against third-party access only.
 +  * **[[:cases:sic-kerala-ration-card-records-2020|Ration card / PDS records — Kerala SIC]]** — PDS beneficiary lists are §4 suo-motu material; individual card entitlements also disclosable.
 +  * **[[:cases:hc-kerala-rti-mgnregs-beneficiary-2020|MGNREGS beneficiary lists — Kerala HC]]** — MGNREGS muster rolls = §4(1)(b)(xii); name+aggregate-days disclosable, Aadhaar/bank details protected.
 +  * **[[:cases:kerala-hc-rti-pension-records-2018|Pension records — Kerala HC]]** — A pensioner's own records (pension calc, arrears, retirement benefits) are disclosable to him under RTI.
 +  * **[[:cases:kerala-hc-cooperative-banks-rti-2017|Cooperative banks under RTI — Kerala HC]]** — Post-Thalappalam, cooperative banks are public authorities only if substantial State financing is proven.
 +  * **[[:cases:kerala-hc-political-parties-2015|Political party accounts — Kerala HC 2015]]** — State units of political parties held NOT public authorities under §2(h) — contrast with CIC ruling.
 +
 +Browse the **[[:cases|full case-law database — 362 curated rulings]]** and filter by court / section / keyword.
 +===== Related reading =====
 +
 +  * [[:file-rti-online-india|How to file RTI online — national guide]]
 +  * [[:why-rti-gets-rejected|Why RTI gets rejected — drafting fix-it guide]]
 +  * [[:blog:how-to-write-rti-application|Ask for records, not answers]]
 +  * [[:explanations:grounds-for-rejection|Grounds for RTI rejection]]
 +  * [[:faa-first-appeal-timelines|First Appeal timelines]]
 +  * [[:faa-appellate-review-checklist|FAA appellate-review checklist]]
 +  * [[:guide:applicant:application:sample:start|Sample RTI applications]]
 +  * [[:faq|RTI FAQ — 25 most-asked questions]]
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  * Right to Information Act, 2005 (as amended 2019, 2023)
 +  * Kerala Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2006
 +  * Kerala State Information Commission (KSIC) — annual reports
 +  * Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 — §44(3), amending RTI §8(1)(j)
 +
 +----
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.//
 +
 +{{tag>rti state-procedure file-rti-in-kerala daily-life}}
 +===== How to file RTI in Kerala: Rules, fees, online portal, and common issues (2026) =====
 +
 +Filing RTI in Kerala — complete guide on rules, fees, and the online portal for 2026:
 +
 +  - **Step 1: Kerala RTI rules.** (a) Kerala has its own RTI Rules (the Kerala Right to Information Rules, 2006 — notified under the Central RTI Act, 2005 — which apply to all public authorities in Kerala — state government departments, municipalities, panchayats, police, courts, and public sector undertakings), (b) the fee is Rs 10 for general category — and FREE for BPL category (Kerala is one of the few states where BPL citizens can file RTI without any fee — and get copies free — under Rule 3 of the Kerala RTI Rules), (c) the application can be in Malayalam or English (the PIO must accept applications in either language — under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act — and in Kerala — Malayalam is the primary language — and most PIOs accept Malayalam applications), (d) the PIO must respond within 30 days (48 hours if the information concerns life or liberty — under Section 7(1)), (e) the first appeal is filed with the First Appellate Authority (FAA — within 30 days of the PIO's response — or non-response), (f) the second appeal is filed with the Kerala State Information Commission (located in Thiruvananthapuram — within 90 days of the FAA's order — or non-response).
 +  - **Step 2: Online filing.** (a) the Kerala government has an online RTI portal (keralarticommision.org — or through the e-Office portal — the citizen can file RTI online — to state government departments), (b) the process: (i) register on the portal (with mobile number and email — OTP verification), (ii) select the department (and the sub-department — and the PIO), (iii) write the RTI application (in the text box — or upload a PDF — in Malayalam or English), (iv) pay the fee (Rs 10 — online — through net banking, UPI, or credit/debit card — or free for BPL — with BPL proof), (v) submit — and get a registration number (for tracking), (c) the online portal is available for most state government departments (but not for central government departments in Kerala — for central departments, use rtionline.gov.in), (d) the PIO's response is sent electronically (to the registered email — and can be viewed on the portal).
 +  - **Step 3: How to file offline.** (a) write the application (on plain paper — in Malayalam or English — with the applicant's name, address, and the information sought — and the fee — court-fee stamp of Rs 10 — or free for BPL — with BPL proof), (b) submit to the PIO (by hand — at the PIO's office — and get a receiving — or by registered post — with the court-fee stamp), (c) the court-fee stamp of Rs 10 is available at the treasury office — or the court — or the post office — in Kerala, (d) the PIO must respond within 30 days (if submitted by hand — or within 35 days if submitted by post), (e) if the PIO does not respond: file a first appeal (with the FAA — within 30 days of the non-response), (f) if the FAA does not respond: file a second appeal (with the Kerala State Information Commission — in Thiruvananthapuram — within 90 days of the FAA's non-response).
 +  - **Step 4: Common issues in Kerala.** (a) PIO not designated (many departments — especially at the Panchayat level — have not designated PIOs — or the PIOs are additional charge — in Kerala — the Panchayat Secretary is the PIO — at the Gram Panchayat level), (b) Malayalam applications rejected (some PIOs reject Malayalam applications — which is illegal — under Section 6(1) — the PIO must accept applications in the official language — Malayalam is the official language of Kerala), (c) the State Information Commission is slow (the Kerala SIC has a backlog — with pending second appeals — and the appeals take 1-3 years — the SIC is located in Thiruvananthapuram — and conducts hearings in Thiruvananthapuram — and through video conferencing), (d) municipal corporations (the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, Kochi Municipal Corporation, Kozhikode Municipal Corporation — and other municipalities — have their own PIOs — and the RTI process is separate), (e) Kerala Water Authority, KSEB (the Kerala State Electricity Board — and the Kerala Water Authority — are public authorities — and RTI can be filed — for billing issues, connection status, etc.).
 +  - **Step 5: File RTI on Kerala-specific issues.** (a) land records: ask the Village Officer (or the Revenue Department) for: (i) the Thatcha (of [survey number] — village [name] — for the year [year]), (ii) the Pokkuvaravu (mutation entry — of [survey number] — village [name] — and the status), (iii) the Land Tax receipt (of [survey number] — village [name] — for the year [year]), (b) civic issues: ask the Municipality / Corporation for: (i) the status of [complaint number] (filed on [date] — for [issue] — the action taken), (ii) the building permission (of [building] — the approved plan — and the occupancy certificate status), (c) police: ask the police for: (i) the FIR copy (of FIR number [number] — at [police station]), (ii) the status of the investigation (of FIR number [number] — the charge sheet — and the trial status), (d) education: ask the school/college for: (i) the admission criteria (and the number of seats — and the list of admitted students), (ii) the fee structure (and the fee hike approval), (e) ration card: ask the Civil Supplies Department for: (i) the ration card status (application number [number] — the current status — and the reason for delay), (ii) the PDS supply (at Maveli store [number] — for the month [month] — the stock position).
 +  - **Step 6: Kerala State Information Commission.** (a) the Commission is located in Thiruvananthapuram (at the Kerala State Information Commission — at the address available on the website — keralasic.gov.in), (b) the second appeal is filed with the Commission (in writing — with the RTI application, the PIO's response, the first appeal, the FAA's order — and the fee — if any), (c) the Commission can: (i) order the PIO to provide the information (within a specified timeline), (ii) impose a penalty (Rs 250 per day — up to Rs 25,000 — under Section 20(1)), (iii) recommend disciplinary action (against the PIO — under Section 20(2)), (iv) order compensation (to the appellant — under Section 19(8)(b)), (d) the Commission's orders are available on the website (keralasic.gov.in — for reference), (e) Kerala's SIC is considered one of the more active commissions (compared to other states — and has issued several progressive orders — including on BPL fee waiver, Malayalam applications, and proactive disclosure).
 +  - **Step 7: Practical tips.** (a) use the online portal (for faster filing — and tracking), (b) file in Malayalam (if the records are in Malayalam — e.g., land records — the PIO cannot reject on language grounds), (c) BPL citizens file free (with BPL proof — the fee is waived — and copies are free — in Kerala), (d) be specific (the PIOs in Kerala — especially in rural areas — may not be trained — be specific — and avoid vague queries), (e) follow up (the PIOs may not respond — follow up with the FAA — and the Commission), (f) Example: A citizen filed RTI with the Village Officer — asking for the Thatcha and Pokkuvaravu — the VO did not respond — the citizen filed a first appeal — the FAA ordered the VO to respond — the VO provided the records — showing that the land was wrongly mutated — the citizen used the RTI reply to challenge the mutation — and to save his land from a fraudulent transfer — the citizen was a BPL cardholder — and filed free — under the Kerala RTI Rules.
 +
 +See [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/file-rti-in-kerala|RTI Kerala]] and [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/guide/find-pio-2026|Find PIO]].
 +
 +{{tag>file rti kerala online portal fee 10 rupees bpl free malayalam thatcha pokkuvaravu village officer state information commission thiruvananthapuram 2026}}