A reference note on the working of the Right to Information Act, 2005 in Jammu and Kashmir (UT). Where the State position differs from the Central rules, the State practice is noted. Readers who rely on these rules for a live application, appeal, or complaint are advised to confirm against the official Gazette of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir or the Central Information Commission before filing.

Public authorities under the administration of Jammu and Kashmir (UT) are, for second-appeal purposes, within the jurisdiction of the Central Information Commission. Complaints under Section 18 and second appeals under Section 19(3) against those public authorities are filed before the CIC at New Delhi.

• The Right to Information Act, 2005 — the Central Act applies across India, including in Jammu and Kashmir (UT).
• State rules under Section 27 of the Act — Jammu and Kashmir (UT) has notified its own rules covering the form of application, fees, and procedure before public authorities. Confirm the exact title and latest amendment against the current Gazette.
• Second-appeal procedure rules — procedure before the State Information Commission for second appeals under Section 19(3) and complaints under Section 18.

Application fees in Jammu and Kashmir (UT) are typically Rs 10 per application. BPL applicants are exempt on production of a valid ration card or certificate. Copies of records are charged per page at the rate specified in the rules. The fee may be paid by Indian Postal Order, demand draft, cash at the PIO's counter, or through the online portal where available. Confirm the current fee against the latest State notification, as figures may have been revised.

Filing in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is generally offline, with the e-mail route used in practice by many departments. Applications are submitted at the PIO's counter at Srinagar or Jammu, or at the district headquarters. For Central Government offices, use the Central online portal.

See How to File RTI Online in India — 2026 step-by-step for the Central online procedure, and Why RTI Applications Get Rejected for drafting pitfalls to avoid.

Since the constitutional reorganisation in 2019, the erstwhile State-specific RTI Act of Jammu and Kashmir has ceased to apply. The Right to Information Act, 2005 (the Central Act) is now the governing law. Second appeals lie to the Central Information Commission.

The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, notified on 14 November 2025, substituted the text of Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, 2005. The substitution applies uniformly across all States and Union Territories. The public-interest override under Section 8(2) is unchanged. For the practical effect on PIO replies, see Section 8(1)(j) after the DPDP Rules, 2025 and DPDP Act vs RTI — the 2026 position.

Rules, fee figures, and procedural timelines in Jammu and Kashmir (UT) may have been revised by State notification since their original issue. Always confirm the current text against the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir administration portal.

• RTI Rules — Central, State, and Commission rules.
• The Right to Information Act, 2005 — current text.
• How to File RTI Online in India — 2026 step-by-step.
• The Digital RTI, 2026 — State-by-State online RTI.
• Why RTI Applications Get Rejected — and How to Avoid It.
• Guide for applicants.
• DPDP Act vs RTI — the 2026 position.

1. The Right to Information Act, 2005 (No. 22 of 2005), Sections 15 and 27.
2. The State rules notified by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir under Section 27 of the Act.
3. The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 (notified 14 November 2025).

20 April 2026