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How to File RTI in Punjab — Online & Postal Guide (2026)

How to file RTI in Punjab — RTI Wiki

⚠️ DPDP Rules, 2025 (14 Nov 2025) amended Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act — public-interest override now under Section 8(2). Read the note →

· 2026/04/19 05:02 · 0 Comments

In one line. File your RTI either online at https://infocommpunjab.com or by Speed Post to the Public Information Officer of the concerned public authority in Punjab. Fee Rs. 10. Statutory reply in 30 days. If refused or silent, file a First Appeal under §19(1) within 30 days, then a Second Appeal to Punjab State Information Commission at Chandigarh.

Part of How to file RTI online in India — this page covers the Punjab state procedure.

Where to file

Online

  • Covers state departments, public undertakings, and (in many cases) urban local bodies.
  • Fee is paid through the portal's payment gateway.

By post

  • Address: Public Information Officer, [Name of Public Authority], [Full address].
  • Send by Speed Post with Acknowledgement Due. Keep the receipt.
  • Fee modes: IPO / DD in favour of “Accounts Officer, [Department]”; court-fee stamp; bank challan where prescribed.

Fees

  • Application fee: Rs. 10 (BPL: free on proof).
  • Per-page copy cost: Rs. 2 for A4; Rs. 50 for a CD.
  • Rules: Punjab Right to Information Rules, 2007.

Sample RTI — Punjab format

To,
The Public Information Officer,
[Name of Public Authority],
[Full address, Punjab]
[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:

1. [Specific record, file number, or data — name the document]
2. [Date / period — anchor the timeframe]
3. [Identifier — application number, account number, or similar]
4. Name and contact of the First Appellate Authority.

I enclose Rs. 10 by [IPO No. / DD No. / payment reference].

Please send the information by Registered Post.

Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
Name:    __________________
Address: __________________
PIN:     __________________
Date:    __________________

Need a topic-specific template? See the sample RTI library.

The 30-day clock

  1. Day 0 — PIO receives your RTI.
  2. Day 0–5 — Possible §6(3) transfer to the correct authority.
  3. Day 10–25 — Most routine requests are answered.
  4. Day 30 — Statutory reply deadline; silence = deemed refusal (§7(2)).
  5. Day 31 → Day 60First Appeal to the department-designated FAA.
  6. Day 75 → Day 165Second Appeal to Punjab State Information Commission.

Deadline detail: First Appeal timelines and FAA appellate-review checklist.

Punjab-specific things to know

  • Punjab shares its capital Chandigarh with Haryana; both states have separate SICs.
  • For Gurudwara / religious trust data, verify the public-authority test under Thalappalam before filing.
  • Punjabi (Gurmukhi) and Hindi are accepted; English is common.

State Information Commission

  • Name: Punjab State Information Commission
  • Address: Red Cross Building, Sector 16, Chandigarh - 160015
  • Website: infocommpunjab.com

Common mistakes

  • Filing at the wrong PIO — route via the concerned department, not a generic grievance portal.
  • Asking “why” questions. Ask for records, not answers — see the records-not-answers drafting guide.
  • Missing the fee payment on the online route.
  • Skipping the application-identifier that lets the PIO locate your file.

Sources

  • Right to Information Act, 2005 (as amended 2019, 2023)
  • Punjab Right to Information Rules, 2007
  • Punjab State Information Commission — annual reports
  • Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 — §44(3), amending RTI §8(1)(j)

Last reviewed: 21 April 2026.

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