Maharashtra RTI Rules 2026: Fees, Forms, Appeals

A reference note on the working of the Right to Information Act, 2005 in the State of Maharashtra. Where information differs from the Central rules, the State position is noted. Readers who rely on these rules for a live application, appeal, or complaint are advised to confirm against the official Maharashtra Government Gazette or the Maharashtra State Information Commission website.

The Maharashtra State Information Commission (MSIC) is constituted under Section 15 of the Right to Information Act, 2005. It hears second appeals under Section 19(3) and complaints under Section 18 relating to public authorities under the State Government of Maharashtra. Benches sit at Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Amravati, and Nagpur, making Maharashtra one of the few States with regional benches.

• The Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2005 — the State Government's rules under Section 27 of the Act, covering the form of application, fees, and procedure before public authorities.
• The Maharashtra State Information Commission (Appeal Procedure) Rules, 2005 — the procedure before the Commission for second appeals and complaints.
• Section 2(aa) notifications — the State has issued separate notifications designating Competent Authorities for the Legislative Assembly and for local bodies.

The application fee is Rs 10 — and it is worth knowing how it got there: the State's June 2026 hike was rolled back with effect from 7 July 2026, restoring ₹10 (our state fee hub carries the verified position and date). Additional charges: per-page copying at the rate the rules prescribe, actual cost for publications or large-format copies. BPL applicants are exempt on production of a valid certificate. Payment: Indian Postal Order, demand draft, cash against receipt at the counter, or online where the authority offers it.

For State Government departments (Revenue, Health, Police, Urban Development, etc.), file with the Public Information Officer of the concerned department or district office. For Central Government departments operating in Maharashtra (Passport Office, Railways, Income Tax, EPFO), use the Central online portal at rtionline.gov.in. See How to File RTI Online in India — 2026 step-by-step for the Central procedure.

• Fee history, not fee amount: the amount (₹10) matches the Central rules, but Maharashtra has twice reached for a higher fee and twice rolled it back — the July 2026 rollback being the latest — so date-stamp any fee you are told at a counter.
• Regional benches: second appeals are heard at Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Amravati and Nagpur — file at the bench the SIC's registry assigns for your district; this is broader access than most single-seat SICs.
• Appeal-stage fees: where the State rules prescribe fees for proceedings before the Commission, confirm the current figure against the Gazette at egazette.mahaonline.gov.in before filing the second appeal — this is the item most often revised.

The Maharashtra RTI Rules have seen amendments since 2005. Fees, forms, and procedural timelines may have been revised by State notification. Confirm the current text against the Maharashtra Government Gazette at egazette.mahaonline.gov.in or the State Information Commission's website before filing — and treat any fee demanded above ₹10 for a fresh application as something to verify on the spot.

₹10 for a fresh application: the June 2026 hike was rolled back effective 7 July 2026. If a counter demands more, ask for the rule/notification it relies on — in writing.

The Maharashtra State Information Commission (benches at Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Amravati, Nagpur), within 90 days of the first-appeal order — Form as the Commission's practice requires.

Some State authorities accept online filing; the reliable general route remains the PIO by post/counter. Central offices in Maharashtra (Railways, Income Tax, Passport, EPFO) file at rtionline.gov.in.

The Act does not charge for a first appeal; treat any demand for a first-appeal fee as a point to verify against the notified rules.

• 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.
• Why RTI Applications Get Rejected — and How to Avoid It.
• Guide for applicants.
• The RTI Playbook book

1. The Right to Information Act, 2005 (No. 22 of 2005), Sections 15 and 27.
2. The Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2005, as notified under the Maharashtra Government Gazette.
3. The Maharashtra State Information Commission (Appeal Procedure) Rules, 2005.

Last reviewed on: 27 August 2026. The 7 July 2026 rollback of the June fee hike stated from the verified hub; the “differences from Central rules” made concrete (fee history, regional benches, appeal-stage verification); FAQ added.