West Bengal RTI Rules — Free PDF Download with Filing Guide

West Bengal RTI Rules, the official rules framed by the West Bengal Government under §27 of the RTI Act, 2005. These rules cover the application fee, the format for filing, additional copying charges, and the time limits the Public Information Officer follows when responding to RTI requests in West Bengal. It covers, among other things, the fee schedule and the application format prescribed for use across west bengal departments.

📥 Download the West Bengal RTI Rules (PDF, 23 KB)

⬇ Download West Bengal RTI Rules (PDF)

Free. No login. Official text as notified by the West Bengal Government.

What this document contains

  • Application fee under §6(1) and additional copying fee under §7(3).
  • Format of application the PIO will accept.
  • Time limits for reply: 30 days normal, 48 hours for life or liberty under §7(1).
  • Procedure for first appeal to the First Appellate Authority.
  • Format for inspection of records.
  • Fee exemption for BPL applicants under §7(5).

When to use West Bengal RTI Rules

The West Bengal Rules apply when you file an RTI with any public authority of the West Bengal Government. Examples include:

  • State Departments and Directorates.
  • District Collectors and Block Development Officers.
  • State Public Sector Undertakings.
  • Panchayats, Municipalities, and Urban Local Bodies.

For Union Government bodies, follow the Central RTI Rules. For the High Court, follow the Court's own RTI Rules.

Notable provision in these Rules

The fee schedule and the application format prescribed for use across west bengal departments.

Time limits, fee, and appeal

Application fee As prescribed in the Rules (BPL applicants: free, per §7(5))
Reply time 30 days, 48 hours for life or liberty (per §7(1))
First Appeal time 30 days from PIO reply or deemed refusal
Second Appeal Before the West Bengal State Information Commission under §19(3)
Statutory base §27 RTI Act, 2005 + West Bengal RTI Rules

No reply, no update, no decision? Escalate.

If the PIO has not responded within the 30-day window, file a First Appeal with the FAA inside the same public authority under §19(1) RTI Act. If the FAA also fails to decide, file a Second Appeal with the West Bengal State Information Commission under §19(3).

Templates: RTI Application Format · First Appeal Format · Second Appeal Format
Stuck? Use the AI RTI Drafter to generate the application in 60 seconds.

Sources

  • The Right to Information Act, 2005 — §6, §7, §19, §27.
  • The West Bengal Right to Information Rules.

Last reviewed: 27 May 2026 — RTI Wiki editorial team.

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