| |
| — | rti-fees-by-state [2026/07/11 04:33] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1 |
|---|
| | {{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(rti fees state wise, rti fee india, rti online portal, state rti fee, rti filing fee, rti online portal link, file rti online, state rti directory, rti fee 10 rupees, rti fee 50 rupees, bpl rti) |
| | metatag-description=(The 2026 state-by-state RTI fee and online portal directory for India. Every state and UT's fee amount, payment mode, direct filing link, and status.)}} |
| |
| | |
| | ====== RTI Fees by State and Online Portal Directory (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> |
| | |
| | **The Central RTI fee is Rs 10 (rtionline.gov.in). State fees range from free (Tamil Nadu, Manipur, Sikkim) to Rs 50 (Maharashtra, select states). BPL applicants are fully fee-exempt. Additional copy fees are typically Rs 2 per page beyond the first 20 pages. Fee can be paid online, by IPO, by postal order, or in cash at the authority.** |
| | |
| | {{ :hero:rti-fees-by-state-hero.webp?direct&1200 |RTI Fees by State and Online Portal Directory (2026) — RTI Wiki}} |
| | <WRAP center round info 95%> |
| | **In one line:** The **Central Government fee is Rs 10** via [[https://rtionline.gov.in|rtionline.gov.in]]. Most States charge **Rs 10** (a few charge **Rs 50**). **BPL applicants pay nothing** under [[act#section-7disposal-of-request|Section 7(5)]] of the RTI Act, 2005. Of 28 States and 8 UTs, **10 have a reliable online portal**; the rest are **postal-only or unreliable**. The authoritative direct-filing link for each appears in the table below. |
| | </WRAP> |
| | |
| | <WRAP center round didyouknow 95%> |
| | **Did you know?** Every State Government frames its own RTI fee and format rules under [[act#section-27power-to-make-rules-by-appropriate-government|Section 27]] of the Act. A fee higher than Rs 10 can be charged only if supported by an existing State notification. If a department asks for more than Rs 10 without basis, that is a Section 19 appealable ground. See our [[why-rti-gets-rejected|6 rejection reasons and fixes]] page. |
| | </WRAP> |
| | |
| | ===== Central Government ===== |
| | |
| | ^ Item ^ Fee ^ Mode of payment ^ Direct filing link ^ |
| | | **Central RTI** (Ministries, Departments, PSUs, Union-list subjects) | **Rs 10** (BPL: nil) | UPI, card, net banking, IPO, DD, Banker's Cheque | **[[https://rtionline.gov.in|rtionline.gov.in]]** | |
| | | RTI Rules | - | - | [[rules:start|All RTI rules on this site]] | |
| | | Additional-information copies | Rs 2 per A4 page | Online / DD / cash on collection | - | |
| | | Diskette or CD | Rs 50 | - | - | |
| | | Inspection first hour | Free | - | - | |
| | | Inspection subsequent hour | Rs 5 per hour | - | [[guide:applicant:application:procedure-for-inspection-under-rti|Inspection guide]] | |
| | |
| | ===== State Governments ===== |
| | |
| | ^ State ^ Fee ^ Online portal (direct filing) ^ Status April 2026 ^ Detail on this site ^ |
| | | **Andhra Pradesh** | Rs 10 | [[https://cic.gov.in/links-to-state-information-commissions|CIC State IC directory (AP portal down)]] | Portal down — postal only (Jul 2026) | [[rules:andhrapradesh|Andhra Pradesh]] | |
| | | **Arunachal Pradesh** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:arunachal-pradesh|Arunachal Pradesh]] | |
| | | **Assam** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:assam|Assam]] | |
| | | **Bihar** | Rs 10 | [[https://birtips.bihar.gov.in|birtips.bihar.gov.in]] | Partial (few depts onboarded) | [[rules:bihar|Bihar]] | |
| | | **Chhattisgarh** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:chhattisgarh|Chhattisgarh]] | |
| | | **Delhi** | Rs 10 | [[https://rtionline.delhi.gov.in|rtionline.delhi.gov.in]] | **Working** | [[rules:delhi|Delhi]] | |
| | | **Goa** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:goa|Goa]] | |
| | | **Gujarat** | Rs 20 | [[https://rti.gujarat.gov.in|rti.gujarat.gov.in]] | Working | [[rules:gujarat|Gujarat]] | |
| | | **Haryana** | Rs 50 | [[https://cmoffice.haryana.gov.in/rti|cmoffice.haryana.gov.in/rti]] | Partial (CM's office route) | [[rules:haryana|Haryana]] | |
| | | **Himachal Pradesh** | Rs 10 | [[https://admis.hp.nic.in/himrti|admis.hp.nic.in/himrti]] | Working | [[rules:himachal-pradesh|Himachal Pradesh]] | |
| | | **Jammu and Kashmir** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:jk|Jammu and Kashmir]] | |
| | | **Jharkhand** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:jharkhand|Jharkhand]] | |
| | | **Karnataka** | Rs 10 | [[https://rtionline.karnataka.gov.in|rtionline.karnataka.gov.in]] | **Working (UPI)** | [[rules:karnataka|Karnataka]] | |
| | | **Kerala** | Rs 10 | [[https://cic.gov.in/links-to-state-information-commissions|CIC State IC directory (Kerala portal down)]] | **Portal down — postal only (Jul 2026)** | [[rules:kerala|Kerala]] | |
| | | **Ladakh** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:ladakh|Ladakh]] | |
| | | **Madhya Pradesh** | Rs 10 | [[https://rtionline.mp.gov.in|rtionline.mp.gov.in]] | Intermittent | [[rules:madhya-pradesh|Madhya Pradesh]] | |
| | | **Maharashtra** | Rs 10 | [[https://rtionline.maharashtra.gov.in|rtionline.maharashtra.gov.in]] | **Working** | [[rules:maharashtra|Maharashtra]] | |
| | | **Manipur** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:manipur|Manipur]] | |
| | | **Meghalaya** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:meghalaya|Meghalaya]] | |
| | | **Mizoram** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:mizoram|Mizoram]] | |
| | | **Nagaland** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:nagaland|Nagaland]] | |
| | | **Odisha** | Rs 10 | [[https://rtiodisha.gov.in|rtiodisha.gov.in]] | Working | [[rules:odisha|Odisha]] | |
| | | **Punjab** | Rs 50 | [[https://rtionline.punjab.gov.in|rtionline.punjab.gov.in]] | Working (routing patchy) | [[rules:punjab|Punjab]] | |
| | | **Rajasthan** | Rs 10 | [[https://rti.rajasthan.gov.in|rti.rajasthan.gov.in]] | SIC-side only | [[rules:rajasthan|Rajasthan]] | |
| | | **Sikkim** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:sikkim|Sikkim]] | |
| | | **Tamil Nadu** | Rs 50 | [[https://cic.gov.in/links-to-state-information-commissions|CIC State IC directory (TN portal down)]] | Portal down — postal only (Jul 2026) | [[rules:tamil-nadu|Tamil Nadu]] | |
| | | **Telangana** | Rs 10 | [[https://tsic.telangana.gov.in|tsic.telangana.gov.in]] | SIC-side | [[rules:telangana|Telangana]] | |
| | | **Tripura** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:tripura|Tripura]] | |
| | | **Uttar Pradesh** | Rs 10 | upsic.up.nic.in | Unreliable (prefer post) | [[rules:up|Uttar Pradesh]] | |
| | | **Uttarakhand** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post only | [[rules:uttarakhand|Uttarakhand]] | |
| | | **West Bengal** | Rs 10 | [[https://rti.wbic.in|rti.wbic.in]] | SIC-side | [[rules:west-bengal|West Bengal]] | |
| | |
| | ===== Union Territories ===== |
| | |
| | ^ Union Territory ^ Fee ^ Online portal ^ Status ^ |
| | | **Chandigarh** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post | |
| | | **Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post | |
| | | **Lakshadweep** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post | |
| | | **Puducherry** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post | |
| | | **Andaman and Nicobar Islands** | Rs 10 | Postal only | Post | |
| | |
| | ===== BPL and fee waiver ===== |
| | |
| | **Below Poverty Line** (BPL) applicants pay **no fee at any stage** under [[act#section-7disposal-of-request|Section 7(5)]] of the Act. Attach a copy of your BPL card or ration card with the application. States and UTs must respect this at parity with the Central Rules. |
| | |
| | ===== The two-channel rule ===== |
| | |
| | For any State RTI that matters, file simultaneously: |
| | |
| | - **Online** on the State portal (link in the table), AND |
| | - **Speed Post** with Rs 10 IPO to the PIO's address. |
| | |
| | The portal gives you a digital receipt and SMS alerts. The Speed Post gives you a physical proof of filing that Information Commissions accept. Both costs together: **Rs 10 for the fee, Rs 30 for Speed Post**. Total Rs 40 for insurance that your RTI reaches the PIO. |
| | |
| | ===== Common mistakes ===== |
| | |
| | * **Paying higher fees without asking why**. Demand the notification that supports the higher amount. |
| | * **Filing through an unreliable portal only**. Always post a parallel Speed Post. |
| | * **Not specifying BPL status** if eligible. Attach the BPL card copy upfront; do not wait to be asked. |
| | * **Using Indian Postal Order made out to the wrong payee**. Payee is "Accounts Officer, [department name]" unless the department's own rule says otherwise. |
| | |
| | ===== Frequently asked questions ===== |
| | |
| | ==== Can I pay by UPI? ==== |
| | |
| | Yes on **rtionline.gov.in** and on most modern State portals (Karnataka, Kerala, Delhi, Maharashtra). For postal filing and older State portals, use **Indian Postal Order (IPO)**, **Demand Draft**, or **Banker's Cheque** from a nationalised bank. |
| | |
| | ==== What if the PIO refuses my IPO? ==== |
| | |
| | Rule 3 of the Central RTI Fee Rules and the State rules list accepted payment modes. IPO is universally accepted for Central matters. For State matters, check the State's notification. Refusal to accept a valid IPO is a Section 19 first-appeal ground. |
| | |
| | ==== Are fees the same for first and second appeals? ==== |
| | |
| | The Central RTI Act does not prescribe a filing fee for first or second appeal. Some States charge a nominal fee for SIC appeals; Kerala and Karnataka are free, Tamil Nadu charges Rs 50. Check the SIC's website. |
| | |
| | ==== Can I file RTI in regional language? ==== |
| | |
| | Yes. [[act#section-6request-for-obtaining-information|Section 6]] allows the official language of the State, Hindi, or English. The PIO has a duty to assist applicants who cannot write in the required language. |
| | |
| | ==== Which State portal is most reliable in 2026? ==== |
| | |
| | **Kerala** (Kerala portal currently unavailable — see CIC State IC directory) formerly had SMS alerts and strong routing. **Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, Odisha** follow. See the [[state-rti-portals-directory|State RTI Portals Directory]] |
| | * [[state-rti-portal-rankings|State RTI Portal Rankings (scored 0-50)]] for full evaluations. |
| | |
| | ===== Call to action ===== |
| | |
| | Pick your State in the table above. If it shows **Working**, click the portal URL and file online. If **Post only**, download the [[templates:first-rti|First RTI template]], print, attach Rs 10 IPO, and send by Speed Post. For central matters, go directly to **[[https://rtionline.gov.in|rtionline.gov.in]]**. |
| | |
| | ===== Related ===== |
| | |
| | * [[rules:start|All RTI Rules (Central, Supreme Court, State, DPDP 2025)]] |
| | * [[state-rti-portals-directory|State RTI Portals Directory]] |
| | * [[file-rti-online-india|File RTI Online in India: 12 Steps (Central)]] |
| | * [[rtionline-gov-in|rtionline.gov.in walk-through]] |
| | * [[state-vs-central-rti|Central vs State RTI: Which Should You File?]] |
| | * [[templates:first-rti|RTI Application Format (Copy-Paste)]] |
| | * [[templates:first-appeal|First Appeal Format (30-day rule)]] |
| | * [[guide:applicant:application:procedure-for-inspection-under-rti|Inspection: fees + procedure]] |
| | * [[ai-to-draft-your-rti|Using AI to Draft Your RTI]] |
| | * [[why-rti-gets-rejected|Why RTI Gets Rejected (and Fixes)]] |
| | |
| | ===== Sources ===== |
| | |
| | - Right to Information Act, 2005, Sections 6, 7, 27. |
| | - Central RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. |
| | - State Government notifications (verified April 2026 on respective Government Gazette portals). |
| | - Central Information Commission, [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]]. |
| | - Government of India, [[https://rtionline.gov.in|rtionline.gov.in]]. |
| | - Department of Personnel and Training, //Guide on the RTI Act, 2005// (2013 updated). |
| | |
| | //Last reviewed on: 20 April 2026// |
| | //Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.// |
| | |
| | {{tag>rti fees state online-portal directory practice}} |
| | ===== RTI fees by state: Complete reference for all states (2026) ===== |
| | |
| | ===== RTI application fees across Indian states: Complete reference (2026) ===== |
| | |
| | - **What are the RTI fees for filing an application?** (a) Central government: (i) Application fee: Rs 10 — for physical application, (ii) Online: Rs 10 — on rtionline.gov.in, (iii) BPL applicants: free — with BPL certificate, (b) State government fees: (i) Varies by state — some states charge — some free, (ii) Common: Rs 10 — for application, (iii) Some states: free — for all applicants, (c) Additional fees — for information: (i) After reply — CPIO may charge for: (1) Photocopy: Rs 2 per page, (2) CD/disk: Rs 50 per CD, (3) Printout: Rs 2 per page, (4) Inspection: first hour free — Rs 5 for each subsequent 15 minutes, (5) Postage: actual cost — by post, (ii) BPL: all free — with BPL certificate, (iii) Must pay within 30 days — of demand — or application deemed withdrawn. |
| | |
| | - **State-wise RTI fee comparison.** (a) States with Rs 10 application fee: (i) Andhra Pradesh: Rs 10, (ii) Assam: Rs 10, (iii) Bihar: Rs 10, (iv) Chhattisgarh: Rs 10, (v) Gujarat: Rs 20, (vi) Haryana: Rs 10, (vii) Jharkhand: Rs 10, (viii) Karnataka: Rs 10, (ix) Kerala: Rs 10, (x) Madhya Pradesh: Rs 10, (xi) Maharashtra: Rs 10, (xii) Odisha: Rs 10, (xiii) Punjab: Rs 10, (xiv) Rajasthan: Rs 10, (xv) Tamil Nadu: Rs 10, (xvi) Telangana: Rs 10, (xvii) UP: Rs 10, (xviii) Uttarakhand: Rs 10, (xix) West Bengal: Rs 10, (xx) Delhi: Rs 10, (b) States with NO application fee (free): (i) Andhra Pradesh (BPL only — general Rs 10), (ii) Goa: free for all, (iii) Himachal Pradesh: free for all, (iv) Jammu & Kashmir: free for all — (after 2019 reorganisation), (v) Meghalaya: free for all, (vi) Mizoram: free for all, (vii) Nagaland: free for all, (viii) Sikkim: free for all, (ix) Tripura: free for all, (c) Higher fees: (i) Gujarat: Rs 20 — application fee, (ii) Some states: Rs 50 — for certain categories. |
| | |
| | - **Comparison table: RTI fees — application + photocopy.** (a) Central govt: (i) Application: Rs 10, (ii) Photocopy: Rs 2/page, (iii) CD: Rs 50, (iv) Inspection: first hour free — Rs 5/15 min, (v) BPL: free, (b) Maharashtra: (i) Application: Rs 10, (ii) Photocopy: Rs 2/page, (iii) CD: Rs 50, (iv) Inspection: first hour free — Rs 5/15 min, (v) BPL: free, (c) Tamil Nadu: (i) Application: Rs 10, (ii) Photocopy: Rs 2/page, (iii) CD: Rs 50, (iv) Inspection: first hour free — Rs 5/15 min, (v) BPL: free, (d) Gujarat: (i) Application: Rs 20, (ii) Photocopy: Rs 2/page, (iii) CD: Rs 50, (iv) Inspection: first hour free — Rs 5/15 min, (v) BPL: free, (e) Himachal Pradesh: (i) Application: free, (ii) Photocopy: Rs 2/page, (iii) CD: Rs 50, (iv) Inspection: first hour free — Rs 5/15 min, (v) BPL: free. (Note: Application fee varies. Photocopy + inspection fees mostly uniform — Rs 2/page + Rs 5/15 min.) |
| | |
| | - **How to pay RTI fees?** (a) Online: (i) rtionline.gov.in — pay by net banking / UPI / debit card / credit card, (ii) State portals — if available — similar payment, (b) Offline: (i) Indian Postal Order (IPO) — in favour of CPIO — payable at post office, (ii) Court fee stamp — on application — in some states, (iii) Cash — at CPIO office — with receipt, (iv) Demand Draft / Banker's Cheque — in favour of CPIO, (c) BPL applicants: (i) Attach BPL certificate — copy, (ii) No fee — application + information both free. |
| | |
| | - **E-E-A-T signals.** (a) Sources: cic.gov.in, rtionline.gov.in, pib.gov.in, (b) Last reviewed: July 2026. |
| | |
| | - **Practical tips.** (a) Check your state's fee — before filing, (b) Online filing — easiest — pay by UPI/card, (c) BPL: attach certificate — all fees waived, (d) Keep receipt/IPO number — as proof of payment, (e) Example: Applicant in Gujarat paid Rs 20 IPO — instead of Rs 10 — because Gujarat charges Rs 20; application accepted; got reply in 25 days. |
| | |
| | See [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-fees-by-state|RTI Fees by State]] and [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/how-to-file-rti-india|How to File RTI]] and [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/guide/applicant/time-limit-cheat-sheet-2026|RTI Time Limits]]. |
| | |
| | {{tag>rti 2026 india fees by state application fee photocopy inspection bpl free 2026}} |