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+{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(RTI additional fee,Section 7 3 RTI,RTI fee calculation,RTI cost intimation,certified copy fee,inspection fee RTI,further fee RTI)
+metatag-title=(How to Calculate RTI Additional Fee Section 7 3 India)&metatag-description=(Calculate RTI additional fee under Section 7 3: per-page rate, inspection fee, sample size, BPL exemption and the cost intimation letter that pauses the 30-day clock.)}}
+====== How to Calculate Additional Fee under RTI ======
+<WRAP center round tip 100%>
+The application fee under the RTI Act 2005 is a fixed Rs 10 (state-specific where notified). The **additional fee** under **Section 7(3)** is the per-page or per-medium charge for the certified copies, inspection time, large-format prints or electronic media. The PIO must intimate the cost in writing, and the applicant has reasonable time to pay. **The time between intimation and payment is excluded from the 30-day clock**, but only if the intimation is properly issued and properly recorded in the noting.
+</WRAP>
+===== When to use this guide =====
+Use this guide whenever a request involves more than a handful of pages, inspection of files, electronic media, large-format drawings, or specially printed registers. Common situations: copies of tender file (50+ pages), inspection of mutation register, copy of digital recordings, photocopy of bound register, printout of large CCTV stills.
+===== Legal basis =====
+  * **RTI Act 2005, Section 6(1)**: prescribed application fee.
+  * **Section 7(3)**: further fee on cost intimation; time between intimation and payment is excluded from the 30-day clock.
+  * **Section 7(5)**: BPL exemption; no fee for inspection or copies for BPL applicants.
+  * **Section 7(6)**: free if PIO does not respond within the time limit.
+  * **RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules 2012** for central authorities; equivalent state rules for state authorities.
+The Department of Personnel and Training has issued Office Memoranda fixing the per-page rate and inspection rate for central authorities. Most states have notified mirror rates. Always check the latest state rule because variations exist.
+===== Step-by-step process =====
+A PIO should follow this sequence to calculate and intimate the additional fee.
+  - **Identify the form of supply.** Photocopy / certified copy / electronic file / inspection / sample / printout of large register.
+  - **Count the pages or units.** A4 page = one unit; A3 = two units; large-format drawing = special rate.
+  - **Apply the rate.**
+    * Central authorities: Rs 2 per A4 page; Rs 50 per CD or DVD; Rs 5 per fifteen minutes of inspection beyond the first hour; actual cost for samples or large-format printouts.
+    * State authorities: equivalent rates in state RTI Rules; check before quoting.
+  - **Check BPL status.** If the applicant has produced a BPL certificate, the fee is zero under Section 7(5).
+  - **Apply Section 7(6).** If the PIO has missed the 30-day deadline, the information is to be supplied free.
+  - **Issue the cost intimation letter.** Inform the applicant of the amount, mode of payment, account head and last date of payment.
+  - **Record in the noting.** Date of intimation, mode of dispatch, amount, last date.
+  - **Wait for payment.** Time between intimation and payment is excluded from the 30-day clock. After payment, dispatch the certified copies promptly.
+===== Format / template =====
+Sample cost intimation letter under Section 7(3).
+<code>
+File no. RTI/[Year]/[Section]/[Serial]
+Office of [Public Authority]
+Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
+To,
+[Applicant name and address]
+Sub: Cost intimation under Section 7(3) of the RTI Act, 2005, for your application dated [date]
+Sir / Madam,
+With reference to your RTI application dated [date], the information sought has been collated. The certified copies / inspection charges as applicable are calculated as below.
+(a) Certified copies of [number] A4 pages at Rs 2 per page: Rs [amount]
+(b) Certified copies of [number] A3 pages at Rs 4 per page: Rs [amount]
+(c) Inspection of files, beyond the first free hour, [number] of fifteen-minute slots at Rs 5 per slot: Rs [amount]
+(d) CD / DVD of digital records: Rs [amount]
+(e) Special printing of large-format drawing [number] sheets at actual cost of Rs [amount]
+Total: Rs [amount].
+You are requested to pay the above by [Indian Postal Order / Demand Draft / online challan] in favour of [accounts officer] within [number, typically 30] days from the date of receipt of this letter.
+The time taken in remittance of the above fee is excluded from the 30-day reply timeline under Section 7(3).
+Yours faithfully,
+[PIO Signature]
+[Name, designation, telephone, email]
+</code>
+===== Common mistakes =====
+  * **Verbal intimation.** Section 7(3) requires written intimation. Verbal communication does not pause the clock.
+  * **Charging for the first hour of inspection.** First hour is free. Charges start in the second hour and run per fifteen minutes.
+  * **Charging BPL applicants.** Section 7(5) bars any fee for BPL applicants who have produced the certificate.
+  * **Not noting "actual cost".** For large-format prints or certified microfilm, "actual cost" must be supported by a quotation or invoice.
+  * **Charging for searching.** RTI Rules do not allow a search fee or a labour fee. The fee is for the deliverables and inspection.
+  * **Mixing IPO and DD limits.** IPO works up to a fixed face value (typically Rs 100 per IPO; verify current limit); for larger amounts, suggest DD or online challan.
+  * **No record of receipt of payment.** Always record the receipt number, date and mode in the noting.
+===== Appeal or next step =====
+  * **First Appeal** under Section 19(1) if applicant disputes the cost.
+  * **Section 7(6) free supply** if the PIO missed the deadline.
+  * **CIC second appeal** under Section 19(3) for systemic over-charging.
+  * **Refund** of excess fee where applicant has paid more than required, on receipt request.
+===== FAQs =====
+==== What is the fee for a CD or DVD? ====
+Central rules: Rs 50 per disk. State rules vary; check the local notification.
+==== Is there a fee for inspection? ====
+First hour is free; thereafter Rs 5 per fifteen minutes (central; state may differ).
+==== What about email or USB delivery? ====
+Most states have notified rates for electronic media; where not notified, charge actual cost (eg cost of USB stick) and send by email at no extra cost.
+==== Are demand drafts mandatory? ====
+No. IPO, DD, court fee stamp, online challan and cash (where the office accepts) are all valid for central authorities. State rules may restrict.
+==== What if the applicant pays less than the intimated amount? ====
+Send a deficiency intimation. The clock pauses on the deficiency intimation and resumes on the corrected payment.
+==== Is BPL certificate enough proof? ====
+A current BPL certificate from the competent authority is enough. Some states accept the AAY card or NFSA Antyodaya entry as well.
+==== Can the PIO bill for the noting itself? ====
+Yes, once disclosed, the noting pages count like any other certified pages.
+===== Sources =====
+  * RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules 2012: [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]]
+  * DoP&T Office Memoranda on RTI fee: [[https://dopt.gov.in|dopt.gov.in]]
+  * State RTI Rules, refer to the relevant state RTI authority website
+  * Central Information Commission: [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]]
+  * RTI Online: [[https://rtionline.gov.in|rtionline.gov.in]]
+Last reviewed: 9 May 2026.
+===== Related PIO guides =====
+  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]] for inbound applicants.
+  * [[guide|Guide hub]]
+  * [[guide:pio:reply-after-dpdp|PIO reply after DPDP]]
+  * [[guide:pio:section-8-1-j-personal-information|Section 8(1)(j) checklist]]
+  * [[guide:pio:section-10-severability|Section 10 severability]]
+  * [[guide:pio:section-11-third-party-notice|Section 11 third-party notice]]
+  * [[guide:pio:vague-voluminous-rti|Vague or voluminous RTI]]
+  * [[guide:pio:file-noting-format|PIO file noting format]]
+===== Additional fee calculation under RTI: How PIOs calculate fees and charges =====
+Additional fee calculation under the RTI Act — complete guide on how PIOs calculate fees and charges:
+  - **Step 1: The basic RTI fee.** (a) the RTI Act, 2005 and the Central RTI Rules, 2012 prescribe the fee for filing an RTI application — and the additional fee for providing information — the fee structure is: (i) application fee: Rs 10 (for the central government — and most states — payable by court-fee stamp, IPO, cash, or online), (ii) BPL category: free (BPL citizens — with BPL proof — can file RTI without any fee — under the Central RTI Rules — and most state rules), (iii) some states have different fees: e.g., Tamil Nadu Rs 50, Maharashtra Rs 20, Karnataka Rs 10, UP Rs 10 — check the state's RTI rules — for the exact fee.
+  - **Step 2: Additional fee for providing information.** (a) under Rule 4 of the Central RTI Rules, 2012 — the PIO can charge additional fee — for providing information — based on: (i) photocopy: Rs 2 per page (A4 or A3 size — for each page — created or copied), (ii) printout: Rs 2 per page (for a printout — from a computer — or a server), (iii) diskette or floppy: Rs 50 per diskette (for information in electronic form — on a diskette — or floppy — though these are obsolete now), (iv) CD: Rs 50 per CD (for information on a CD — or DVD), (v) sample: actual cost (for a sample — or a model — the actual cost — of the sample), (vi) inspection: Rs 5 per hour (for inspection of records — after the first hour — the first hour is free — and subsequent hours are Rs 5 per hour — or Rs 10 per hour — depending on the rules), (vii) postal charges: actual cost (for sending the information — by post — or courier — the actual postal charge), (b) the PIO must: (i) calculate the fee (based on the number of pages — and the format — and the postage), (ii) send a fee intimation (under Rule 4(2) — the PIO must send a fee intimation — to the applicant — with the calculation — and the amount — and the timeline — for payment — and the applicant must pay within the stipulated timeline — or the application is deemed withdrawn).
+  - **Step 3: Rule 4(2) — fee intimation.** (a) the PIO must send a fee intimation (under Rule 4(2) — within the 30-day response period — or the 48-hour period — for life and liberty), (b) the fee intimation must include: (i) the calculation (the number of pages — and the rate — and the total), (ii) the format (photocopy, printout, CD, etc.), (iii) the postage (actual cost — for the postal charge), (iv) the timeline (the applicant must pay within the stipulated timeline — which is usually 7-30 days — depending on the rules), (c) the applicant must pay (within the stipulated timeline — and the PIO must provide the information — within the 30-day period — or the 48-hour period — after the payment), (d) if the applicant does not pay (the application is deemed withdrawn — under Rule 4(3) — and the PIO is not required to provide the information — but the applicant can file a fresh application — or an appeal).
+  - **Step 4: Common fee calculation issues.** (a) excessive fee: the PIO charges more than the prescribed rate — e.g., Rs 5 per page instead of Rs 2 — or charges for the first hour of inspection — which should be free — the applicant should: (i) check the RTI Rules (for the prescribed rate), (ii) file a first appeal (against the excessive fee — and demand the correct calculation), (b) fee for exempt information: the PIO charges for information that is exempt — under Section 8 or 9 — the applicant should: (i) check the exemption (whether the information is genuinely exempt), (ii) file a first appeal (if the information is not exempt — and the PIO is overcharging), (c) fee intimation not sent: the PIO does not send the fee intimation — and does not provide the information — the applicant should: (i) file a first appeal (for non-response — and for the fee intimation), (ii) file a second appeal (with the CIC/SIC — if the FAA does not respond), (d) deemed withdrawal: the PIO claims the application is deemed withdrawn — because the applicant did not pay the fee — but the fee intimation was not sent — or the timeline was too short — the applicant should: (i) file a first appeal (challenging the deemed withdrawal — and the fee intimation), (ii) file a second appeal (if the FAA does not respond), (e) fee for electronic format: the PIO charges for a CD — when the applicant requested an e-mail — which should be free — or the actual cost — the applicant should: (i) request the electronic format (e-mail — which is free — under most rules), (ii) file a first appeal (if the PIO charges for the e-mail).
+  - **Step 5: Sample fee calculation.** (a) Example 1 — photocopy: the applicant seeks 50 pages of information — the fee is: (i) application fee: Rs 10, (ii) photocopy: 50 pages x Rs 2 = Rs 100, (iii) postage: Rs 40 (registered post), (iv) total additional fee: Rs 140, (v) the PIO sends a fee intimation — for Rs 140 — and the applicant pays — and the PIO provides the 50 pages, (b) Example 2 — CD: the applicant seeks a database — in CD format — the fee is: (i) application fee: Rs 10, (ii) CD: Rs 50, (iii) postage: Rs 40, (iv) total additional fee: Rs 90, (c) Example 3 — inspection: the applicant seeks to inspect records — for 3 hours — the fee is: (i) application fee: Rs 10, (ii) inspection: first hour free — next 2 hours x Rs 5 = Rs 10, (iii) total additional fee: Rs 10, (d) Example 4 — BPL: the applicant is a BPL citizen — and seeks 30 pages — the fee is: (i) application fee: free (BPL), (ii) photocopy: free (BPL — under most rules), (iii) postage: Rs 40 (actual cost — or free — depending on the rules), (iv) total additional fee: Rs 0 — or Rs 40.
+  - **Step 6: File RTI on fee calculation.** File RTI with the public authority asking for: (a) the fee calculation: "Provide the fee calculation — for my RTI application — number [number] — filed on [date] — including: (i) the number of pages, (ii) the rate per page, (iii) the format (photocopy, CD, etc.), (iv) the postage, (v) the total additional fee — and the basis — and the RTI Rule — under which the fee was calculated", (b) the fee policy: "Provide the fee policy of [public authority] — under the RTI Act — including: (i) the application fee, (ii) the photocopy rate, (iii) the CD rate, (iv) the inspection rate, (v) the postage policy, (vi) the BPL waiver — and the RTI Rule — under which the policy is framed", (c) the fee collection: "Provide the total fee collected by [public authority] — under the RTI Act — for the year [year] — including: (i) the application fee, (ii) the additional fee, (iii) the total amount — and the utilization — and the audit report".
+  - **Step 7: Practical tips.** (a) check the RTI Rules (before filing — check the Central RTI Rules, 2012 — or the state's RTI rules — for the prescribed fee — and the additional fee), (b) request e-mail (to avoid the photocopy and postage fee — request the information by e-mail — which is free — or at a nominal cost), (c) pay within the timeline (if the PIO sends a fee intimation — pay within the stipulated timeline — to avoid deemed withdrawal), (d) file a first appeal (if the fee is excessive — or the fee intimation is not sent — or the information is not provided — after the payment), (e) BPL citizens file free (with BPL proof — the application fee — and the additional fee — are waived — under most rules), (f) Example: A citizen sought 100 pages — and the PIO charged Rs 500 (at Rs 5 per page) — the citizen checked the RTI Rules — and found the rate was Rs 2 per page — the citizen filed a first appeal — the FAA held that the PIO had overcharged — and directed the PIO to recalculate — at Rs 2 per page — and to refund the excess — the citizen got the refund — and the information — at the correct rate.
+See [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/guide/pio/additional-fee-calculation|Additional Fee Calculation]] and [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-act-2005-complete-guide|RTI Act Complete Guide]].
+{{tag>additional fee calculation rti rule 4 photocopy cd inspection fee intimation deemed withdrawal bpl free first appeal 2026}}