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+{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(how to file rti, file rti india, rti procedure, rti application format, rti act 2005, rti online, rti by post, rti fee, rti deadline, rti appeal, rti for citizens, rti complete guide)&metatag-description=(The definitive 2026 guide to filing an RTI in India — applies to all 36 states. Step-by-step format, fee, deadlines, appeals, common mistakes, all 12 free tools.)}}
+====== How to file an RTI in India — the definitive 2026 guide ======
+{{ :social:auto:how-to-file-rti-india-pillar.png?direct&1200 |How to file an RTI in India — RTI Wiki}}
+<WRAP center round info 95%>
+**Quick Reply:** The definitive 2026 guide to filing an RTI in India — applies to all 36 states. Step-by-step format, fee, deadlines, appeals, common mistakes, all 12 free tools.
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP center round info 95%>
+**Direct answer (40 words).** To file an RTI in India: write a §6(1) application in any language, attach a Rs. 10 fee (IPO/DD/UPI), send to the PIO of the relevant public authority by Speed Post or online. PIO must reply in 30 days.
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP center round tip 95%>
+**Book companion:** [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/book/|The RTI Playbook]] — full citizen guide, podcast video, reviews, buy links, and preview downloads.
+</WRAP>
+===== Why this guide =====
+This is the **most-comprehensive single page** on righttoinformation.wiki for the question "how do I file an RTI in India?". It pulls together every step, statutory citation, template, tool and case-law anchor you'll need. Bookmark it. Read it once end-to-end; come back to specific sections later.
+If you're new, **start here and stop**. If you've filed before and want a specific topic (state portal, Section 8, third party, appeal), use the related-reading at the bottom.
+===== The 12-step procedure (universal across India) =====
+  - **Identify the public authority that holds the record.** Central ministry, state department, municipal corporation (ULB), PSU, statutory body, NGO substantially financed by govt — all are public authorities under §2(h).
+  - **Identify the PIO.** Every public authority must publish its PIO under §4(1)(b)(xvi). Check the department website. If not published, address it to "The Public Information Officer, [Department], [Capital City]" — they must forward under §6(3).
+  - **Write the application** in plain language. Just specify the records you want. No need to state purpose (§6(2)). Any language; a translation is the PIO's responsibility.
+  - **Pay Rs. 10 fee** by Indian Postal Order (IPO), Demand Draft (DD), Banker's Cheque, or online via state portal. Some states charge ₹50. **BPL applicants are exempt under §7(5).**
+  - **Send the application.** Speed Post with Acknowledgement Due (AD) — most reliable. Or online via the relevant state/central portal.
+  - **Wait 30 days** under §7(1). Just **48 hours** if the information concerns life or liberty (§7(1) proviso).
+  - **Read the PIO's reply.** Use the [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/pio-reply-checker|PIO Reply Checker]] to grade it on severability, sub-clause citation, FAA contact, defects.
+  - **If satisfied — done.** Save the reply for your records.
+  - **If unsatisfied** (no reply, partial, refused, no reasoning) — file **First Appeal under §19(1)** within 30 days to the FAA (the senior officer in the same department). Use the [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|First Appeal Builder]].
+  - **FAA reply** must come in 30-45 days under §19(6).
+  - **If still unsatisfied** — file **Second Appeal under §19(3)** within 90 days to the State Information Commission (state PA) or Central Information Commission (Central PA).
+  - **CIC/SIC orders** are binding on the PIO under §19(7) and can include penalty under §20 + compensation under §19(8)(b).
+===== The format — copy this template =====
+<code>
+To,
+The Public Information Officer
+[Department name]
+[Address]
+Subject: Application under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005
+Sir/Madam,
+. I, [Your name], a citizen of India, residing at [Your address], hereby request the following information under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005:
+   (a) [Your specific question 1 — name a specific record, file no., or date range]
+   (b) [Your specific question 2]
+   (c) [Your specific question 3]
+. The required fee of Rs. 10 is enclosed by way of Indian Postal Order [IPO no. ___].
+. I am a citizen of India.
+Date: [DD-MM-YYYY]                                                Signature: ________
+Place: [City]                                                     Name: [Your name]
+                                                                  Phone: [Mobile no.]
+</code>
+The same template works in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Odia. See the [[:state-rti-portals-directory|state portals page]] for state-specific templates.
+===== Where to file — Central vs State =====
+  * **Central public authority** (passport, IT, EPF, Railways, UIDAI, RBI): file via [[https://rtionline.gov.in|rtionline.gov.in]] (Central RTI portal). Rs. 10 by UPI.
+  * **State public authority** (police, education, health, revenue, RTO): file via the state portal if available, else by Speed Post + IPO. See the [[:state-rti-portals-directory|36-state portal directory]] for which states have working portals.
+  * **Municipal corporation** (water, garbage, property tax, building): file with the ULB PIO. See the [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/city/|city page]] for your city's ULB.
+  * **PSU** (LIC, BEL, BHEL): each PSU has its own PIO; usually published on the PSU website.
+  * **NGO** (only if substantially financed by govt — Thalappalam test): file with the NGO's designated PIO.
+===== Fees + payment modes — at a glance =====
+| **Standard fee** | Rs. 10 per application |
+| **Higher fee states** | Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana — Rs. 50 |
+| **Gujarat** | Rs. 20 |
+| **BPL applicants** | Exempt under §7(5) |
+| **Payment modes** | IPO (most reliable, available at any post office) · DD · Banker's Cheque · Court-fee stamp (some states) · UPI (online portals) |
+| **Per-page copy fee (§7(3))** | Rs. 2-5 per A4 page after first 50 pages |
+| **Inspection fee (§7(9))** | Rs. 5-10 per 15 minutes after first hour |
+===== Deadlines — every clock =====
+| **§7(1)** | 30 days from PIO receipt for normal applications |
+| **§7(1) proviso** | 48 hours for life-and-liberty matters |
+| **§7(3)** | PIO must notify additional fee within 7 working days |
+| **§19(1)** | First Appeal within 30 days of PIO order (or after §7(1) deadline expires) |
+| **§19(6)** | FAA must decide First Appeal in 30 days (extendable to 45) |
+| **§19(3)** | Second Appeal within 90 days of FAA order (or §19(6) deadline expires) |
+| **§20** | Penalty Rs. 250/day on PIO for unjustified delay, max Rs. 25,000 (per-month cap clarified by CIC Shailesh Gandhi 19-March-2026) |
+Use the [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/timeline-calculator-app.html|Timeline Calculator]] to compute every deadline from your filing date.
+===== The 12 free tools — your toolbox =====
+  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|🪄 AI RTI Drafter]]** — describe your case, get a polished §6(1) application in 60 seconds.
+  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|🎤 AwaazRTI]]** — speak in 11 Indian languages → text RTI.
+  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-outcome-predictor.html|🔮 Outcome Predictor]]** — score your draft 0-100 before filing.
+  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-fee-calculator-app.html|🧮 Fee Calculator]]** — exact fee for your state.
+  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/timeline-calculator-app.html|📅 Timeline Calculator]]** — every statutory deadline from your filing date.
+  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|⚖ First Appeal Builder]]** — auto-fills §19(1) appeal.
+  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/pio-reply-checker|📬 PIO Reply Checker]]** — grades the reply.
+  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/explain-legal-reply.html|📖 Explain Legal Reply]]** — converts PIO jargon to plain English.
+  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/exemption-analyzer.html|🔍 Exemption Analyzer]]** — challenges PIO §8 claims.
+  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-research.html|🔎 RTI Research]]** — search 1,500+ articles + case law.
+  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/mp-mla-tracker.html|🏛 What is my MP doing?]]** — MP attendance, questions, MPLADS.
+  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/intelligence/citizen-360.html|🌐 Citizen 360]]** — district profile + suggested RTIs.
+===== 10 landmark Supreme Court rulings every PIO + applicant must know =====
+  - **Aditya Bandopadhyay v. CBSE (2011)** — answer scripts of public exams are disclosable.
+  - **Namit Sharma v. UoI (2012)** — eligibility criteria for SIC commissioners.
+  - **R.K. Jain v. UoI** — file notings on policy decisions are disclosable POST-decision.
+  - **Jayantilal Mistry (RBI v. Mistry, 2015)** — RBI can't shield bank inspection reports.
+  - **Khanapuram Gandaiah** — case diaries in pending investigation are protected from non-parties.
+  - **Thalappalam (2013)** — cooperative societies are NOT public authorities unless substantially funded.
+  - **CJI office case (2020)** — Office of CJI is a public authority under RTI.
+  - **Union of India v. Patel (March 2026)** — §8(1)(e) fiduciary cannot shield statutory-duty records.
+  - **§8(2) post-14-Nov-2025 framework** — FAA must record reasoned balance order EITHER way.
+  - **CIC Shailesh Gandhi 19-March-2026** — §20 penalty cap is per-month, not per-year.
+===== Common mistakes (the 10 that cost applicants their case) =====
+  - **Asking for opinions or "why"** — RTI is for records, not reasoning. Ask for the file, not the analysis.
+  - **No specific date range or file no.** — vague queries give PIOs cover to refuse under §7(9).
+  - **Filing online to the wrong portal** — Central matters at rtionline.gov.in; state matters at state portal or by post.
+  - **Forgetting the Rs. 10 fee** — application is invalid without proof of fee. Attach IPO photocopy.
+  - **Asking for too much in one application** — §7(9) lets the PIO offer inspection if the record is voluminous. Split into multiple applications.
+  - **Not keeping Speed Post AD card** — your only proof of PIO receipt for the §7(1) clock.
+  - **Missing the §19(1) appeal window** — 30 days from the PIO order. Mark the calendar.
+  - **Failing to cite sub-clauses in your appeal** — "PIO refused" is not enough; cite which §8 sub-clause and why their reasoning fails.
+  - **Filing Second Appeal at the wrong commission** — Central PA → CIC, state PA → state SIC.
+  - **Treating "your application is under process" as a reply** — it's not. Day 31 is deemed refusal under §7(2).
+===== Frequently asked questions =====
+==== Is RTI free in India? ====
+The RTI Wiki tools are free. The statutory fee paid to the government is Rs. 10 (some states ₹20-50). BPL applicants are exempt entirely.
+==== Do I need a lawyer? ====
+No. RTI was designed for citizens to file directly. Lawyers add no special advantage; the [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI Drafter]] generates legally-correct applications in 60 seconds.
+==== Can I file from anywhere in India? ====
+Yes. Any Indian citizen anywhere can file an RTI to any public authority anywhere in India.
+==== Is online RTI as valid as postal? ====
+Yes — both are legally identical under the Act. Online is faster; postal is more reliable for state matters.
+==== What if PIO refuses without reason? ====
+File First Appeal under §19(1) within 30 days. A bare refusal violates §7(8)(i); the FAA must set it aside. PIO can be penalised under §20.
+==== Can I get records older than 20 years? ====
+Yes — there is no time limit. §8(3) actually relaxes some §8 exemptions for records older than 20 years.
+==== Can I file an RTI on behalf of someone else? ====
+The applicant must be an Indian citizen. You can request information for someone else's benefit, but you (a citizen) are the applicant.
+==== What if I get the wrong PIO? ====
+The PIO must transfer your application within 5 days under §6(3) and inform you. The 30-day clock then runs from the receiving PIO.
+==== How do I track my application? ====
+Online portals provide a tracker. For postal applications, use the Speed Post tracking + AD card. After 30 days, file First Appeal.
+==== What are the exemptions under §8? ====
+grounds: (a) sovereignty, (b) court orders, (c) breach of privilege, (d) commercial confidence, (e) fiduciary, (f) foreign govt, (g) endanger life, (h) investigation, (i) cabinet, (j) personal information. Each is narrowly read post-2020.
+===== Related reading =====
+  * [[:state-rti-portals-directory|36-state portal directory]]
+  * [[:cpd:start|Free 12-module CPD course]]
+  * [[:glossary|Glossary — 80 RTI terms]]
+  * [[:vs:rti-wiki-vs-filemyrti|RTI Wiki vs filemyrti.com]]
+  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/file-rti-help.html|I need help filing — pick your situation]]
+===== Sources =====
+  * Right to Information Act, 2005 — full text
+  * Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 + DPDP Rules 2026
+  * SC, HC and CIC orders cited above
+//Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.//
+===== Download printable guide =====
+Use the Offline RTI Filing Checklist — a printable, tick-box checklist for filing RTI by post or in person. Covers all 20+ points from name to registered-post receipt.
+**[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/downloads/offline-rti-checklist.pdf|Download Offline Checklist (PDF, free)]]**
+More downloadable guides: [[:downloads:start|RTI Downloads]].
+{{tag>how-to-file-rti rti-act 2026 procedure pillar}}