RTI filing fee is officially ₹10 — the complete fee schedule — citizen guide 2026

The ₹10 fee is one of the best-kept open secrets of Indian democracy. Millions of citizens either do not know it exists or do not know it is this small — which is exactly how paid RTI services make their money. This page gives you the complete statutory fee schedule, every accepted payment mode, state-level variations, and exactly where your money goes.

The RTI Act, 2005 does not set the fee amount directly. Instead, Section 27(2)(b) empowers the Central and State Governments to make rules specifying the fee. Under this power:

• Central RTI Rules, 2012, Rule 3(1): Application fee = ₹10
• Central RTI Rules, 2012, Rule 4: Fee for information = ₹2 per page (A4/A3); ₹5 per page for larger formats; actual cost for samples/models; diskette or CD = ₹50.
• Section 7(5): Persons below the poverty line are exempt from all fees — no application fee, no per-page fee.

The 2012 rules replaced the 2005 rules. The ₹10 figure has not changed since 2005.

The Central RTI Rules, 2012 (Rule 3(1)) specify three modes:

• Most common mode for postal RTI applications.
• Buy from any post office; make it payable to the Accounts Officer of the public authority.
• Face value: ₹10. Commission: ₹1–3 (negligible).
• IPO is non-negotiable — it cannot be cashed by the wrong person if the payee name is filled correctly.
• Tip: Leave the “payee” field blank until you confirm the exact Accounts Officer designation; each ministry has a slightly different designation.

• Accepted at central government departments, especially for information fees (when expected copies run long).
• More expensive to obtain (bank charges ₹50–150 per DD) — only worthwhile when paying ₹100+ in information charges.
• Payable to the Accounts Officer of the relevant public authority.

• Accepted at the CPIO's office if you submit the application in person.
• You must obtain a receipt immediately.
• Caution: Some CPIOs decline cash; carry an IPO as backup.

• For central government RTIs filed at rtionline.gov.in, payment is via debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
• The portal collects ₹10 + payment gateway charges (typically ₹0–5 depending on mode).
• No IPO, no DD needed.
• This is now the fastest and most convenient route for central government RTIs.

States may set their own fees under their own RTI rules. The range in India is ₹0 (BPL) to ₹50.

For a state-by-state breakdown including appeal fees, see the State RTI Rules guide.

The IPO or DD is made out to the Accounts Officer of the public authority. Under the RTI Rules, the application fee credited to the Consolidated Fund of India (for central authorities) or the relevant State Consolidated Fund. It does not go to the CPIO personally, and it does not fund the RTI Act's administration separately — it is simply general government revenue.

This is why there is no legal mechanism for a CPIO to keep or personally benefit from RTI fees — an important assurance against corruption.

You pay nothing if:

• You are a BPL cardholder (Section 7(5) of the RTI Act). See the full BPL waiver walkthrough at BPL applicants pay zero — complete guide.
• The public authority exceeded the 30-day deadline under §7(1) — in that case, you are entitled to the information free of additional charges (many CPIOs still demand the fee; you can refuse and quote §7(6)).
• The information concerns the life or liberty of a person — §7(1) requires it to be provided within 48 hours at no charge.

“You sent the wrong amount.” If the CPIO says your IPO is for the wrong amount or made out to the wrong payee, they must return it to you and specify the correct details. They cannot simply reject the application. Cite Central RTI Rules 2012, Rule 3(2): the CPIO must intimate the deficiency and give the applicant a chance to correct it.

“We don't accept IPO.” The Rules mandate IPO as a valid mode. A refusal to accept IPO is a violation. File a complaint with the CIC/SIC under Section 18.

“You must pay ₹500 as security deposit for inspection.” No such provision exists in the RTI Act or Rules. This is an illegal demand. Refuse it in writing; escalate to the first appellate authority.

“Our state charges ₹100.” No state may charge more than what its own notified RTI rules specify. Check the official state gazette notification for the exact figure. If the demand exceeds the notified amount, it is ultra vires.

• AI RTI Drafter — draft a legally-correct §6(1) application in 60 seconds
• First Appeal Builder — if the CPIO doesn't respond within 30 days
• PIO Reply Checker — decode what the CPIO's reply actually means

Yes. The Central RTI Rules, 2012 apply uniformly to all central government public authorities — ministries, departments, PSUs, banks, universities funded by the Centre, etc. The fee is ₹10 everywhere.

No. Under Central RTI Rules 2012, Rule 3(2), the CPIO must intimate the deficiency and allow you to resubmit with the correct payee. Outright rejection without intimation is a procedural violation you can raise in a first appeal.

On rtionline.gov.in, the application is not submitted until payment is confirmed. If the payment gateway fails mid-transaction, the portal holds the draft — you can return and complete payment within 48 hours before the draft expires.

No. Section 6(2) gives you the right to submit your application in any official language, and per-page rates apply uniformly regardless of the language of the documents provided.

No statutory refund mechanism exists. If the CPIO says information is not available, your ₹10 is not refunded. However, if you believe the refusal is false, you can file a first appeal and a complaint — which may result in the CIC directing the authority to provide information.

• RTI Act, 2005 — official text at rti.gov.in
• Central RTI Rules, 2012 — Rules PDF at rtionline.gov.in
• CIC FAQ on fees — cic.gov.in/faq
• State RTI rules compilation — rti.gov.in state-wise rules

• Why RTI is (essentially) free — pillar guide
• BPL applicants pay zero — complete guide
• Paid RTI services compared — honest breakdown
• When hiring a lawyer for RTI is actually worth it
• State RTI Rules — fee tables by state