📋 Quick reference for Tamil Nadu
Everything you need at a glance — fee, deadline, contact, online portal, penalty.
Fee & deadlines
Contact & portal
Additional fees (RTI Rules 2012): ₹2 per A4 page (certified copy) · ₹5 per hour for inspection of records (after first hour, free) · BPL applicants exempt from all fees.
🏛 Information Commission & High Court
Where you escalate Second Appeals (§19(3)) + where state RTI judgments come from.
State Information Commission (SIC)
State High Court
🌐 Online filing portal for Tamil Nadu
File RTIs against state public authorities directly online (instead of postal Speed Post).
https://tnrti.tn.gov.in
Pay fee (₹50) via portal payment gateway or upload IPO/Treasury Challan as accepted by your state. For Union Government RTIs (UIDAI, EPFO HQ, MEA, etc.), use central portal rtionline.gov.in.
Pay fee (₹50) via portal payment gateway or upload IPO/Treasury Challan as accepted by your state. For Union Government RTIs (UIDAI, EPFO HQ, MEA, etc.), use central portal rtionline.gov.in.
⚖ Case law from your state curated · 22 total
Real PIO + FAA behaviour your HC-MAD + SIC-TN have ruled on. Cite these in your RTI / First Appeal — directly binding on every public authority in Tamil Nadu.
HC-MAD2025
Madras High Court — Passport delay (2025)
Passport timely delivery is an RTI matter; deemed refusal triggers §19
§8 · §7
HC-MAD2025
Madras High Court — Ration card delay (2025)
NFSA inclusion + §4 proactive disclosure; PDS records public
§7 · §4
HC-MAD2024
Public Servants' Assets Disclosure — Madras HC 2024
Public-servant asset lists protected under §8(1)(j); public interest must be specifically pleaded.
§8
HC-MAD2024
Madras High Court — EPF claim status (2024)
EPFO claim file noting disclosable to member; fiduciary defence rejected
§7 · §8
HC-MAD2024
Madras High Court — Scholarship delay (2024)
Scholarship beneficiary lists are §4 proactive-disclosure records
§7 · §4
SIC-TN2023
Tamil Nadu State Information Commission — PAN card delay (2023)
NSDL/UTIITSL is public authority through IT Department mandate
§7
SIC-TN2023
Tamil Nadu State Information Commission — Scholarship delay (2023)
Scholarship beneficiary lists are §4 proactive-disclosure records
§7 · §4
HC-MAD2022
People's Watch v. State of TN
§4(1)(b)(xii) is mandatory; refusal as 'third-party' rejected.
§4(1)(b)(xii)
🎯 Scheme-specific RTI templates
Citizens in Tamil Nadu most often need RTIs for these state + central schemes. Each link is a copy-ready template.
📚 Articles mentioning Tamil Nadu on RTI Wiki
Wiki articles where Tamil Nadu appears in title, description, or context.
Tamil Nadu State Information Commission — Passport delay (2017)
Passport timely delivery is an RTI matter; deemed refusal triggers §19
Tamil Nadu State Information Commission — Driving licence delay (2018)
RTO file movement disclosable; Citizen Charter enforceable
Tamil Nadu State Information Commission — PMAY application status (2018)
PMAY beneficiary lists are mandatory disclosure under §4
Tamil Nadu State Information Commission — EPF claim status (2019)
EPFO claim file noting disclosable to member; fiduciary defence rejected
Tamil Nadu State Information Commission — Ration card delay (2019)
NFSA inclusion + §4 proactive disclosure; PDS records public
Tamil Nadu State Information Commission — PAN card delay (2023)
NSDL/UTIITSL is public authority through IT Department mandate
Tamil Nadu State Information Commission — Scholarship delay (2023)
Scholarship beneficiary lists are §4 proactive-disclosure records
Tamil Nadu RTI Guide 2026
Complete 2026 RTI guide for Tamil Nadu — fees, payment modes, State Information Commission, online portal, sample RTIs, case law, helplines.
Municipal works records — Tamil Nadu SIC
Municipal works-register, tendered contracts, and completion certificates are §4 material.
File RTI in Tamil Nadu — 2026 guide
File RTI online in Tamil Nadu — complete 2026 guide. Tamil Nadu RTI fees are FREE. e-Seva, in-person filing, department portals. Tamil Nadu
How to File RTI in Tamil Nadu — Online & Postal Guide (2026)
Step-by-step guide to filing an RTI application in Tamil Nadu — state portal, fee, SIC address, sample template and appeal path. Rs. 50 (one
Tamil Nadu RTI Rules 2026: Fees Plus Appeals
File an RTI in Tamil Nadu: fee, language, postal vs online, TNSIC address, and what changed after the 14 Nov 2025 amendment.
🛠 Tools for Tamil Nadu RTI filers
All tools support state-language input where applicable (Hindi/English are universal; some tools handle Tamil/English).
🪄AI RTI Drafter
Draft a polished RTI in 60 seconds.
🎤AwaazRTI (voice)
Speak in your state language; get a draft.
🎯PIO Finder
Identify the exact PIO + address.
🔮Outcome Predictor
Score your draft's rejection-risk under §8.
⚖PIO Reply Analyser
Plain explanation + legal check + appeal hooks.
📅Timeline Tracker
§7(1) reply + §19 appeal deadlines.
🧮Fee Calculator
State-by-state fee + payment mode.
🌐Citizen 360
One PIN → full civic profile + 3 RTIs.
📝 How to file an RTI in Tamil Nadu — 7 steps
Plain-English walkthrough. Total time: about 30 minutes.
1
Identify the right department & PIO
Find the public authority that holds your information (use our PIO Finder or the department list below).
2
Draft your RTI application
Plain paper. State the information sought specifically — quote section/file numbers if known. Use our AI Drafter for a polished draft.
3
Pay the fee
In Tamil Nadu: ₹50 via Court Fee Stamp. BPL applicants exempt — attach BPL card photocopy + invoke §7(5) RTI Act.
4
Submit your application
Three options: (a) Speed Post to PIO (recommended — get receipt for §7(1) clock); (b) walk-in at PIO office; (c) online via tnrti.tn.gov.in.
5
Wait 30 days for reply
Calendar starts the day after PIO receives your RTI. Diary it. Life-and-liberty matters: 48 hours under proviso to §7(1).
6
File First Appeal if no reply / unsatisfactory
To the FAA of the same office under §19(1) within 30 days of deemed refusal. Free of cost. FAA must dispose within 30-45 days under §19(6).
7
File Second Appeal to SIC-TN
To the Tamil Nadu Information Commission under §19(3) within 90 days of FAA order. SIC has §19(8) powers including ordering disclosure + ₹250/day fine on the PIO.
🏢 Major government departments — common RTI targets
In Tamil Nadu, citizens most commonly file RTIs against these public authorities. Each entry shows the typical subject matter the department handles.
🏛Revenue Department
Land records, mutation, encumbrance, caste/income/domicile certificates
🎓Education Department
School admissions (RTE 25%), scholarships, UDISE+, exam results, mid-day meal
🏥Health & Family Welfare
PHC/CHC services, immunisation, hospital records, Ayushman Bharat empanelment
👮Home / Police Department
FIR copy, investigation status, license verification, public order
🏗Urban Development / ULB
Building permission, occupancy certificate, water/sewerage, street lights, property tax
🌾Rural Development / Panchayati Raj
MGNREGA, PMAY-G, gram panchayat works, sarpanch accountability
🚜Agriculture & Cooperation
Crop loans, KCC, fertilizer subsidy, mandi prices, PM-KISAN
🛣Public Works (PWD)
Road construction, bridges, government building, contractor records
💧Water Resources / Jal Shakti
Irrigation, canals, JJM, drinking water, dam safety
🏭Industries / MSME
Udyam registration, single-window clearance, industrial subsidies
🏠Housing
PMAY-U, slum rehabilitation, ULB housing cell, government quarters
🚗Transport (RTO)
DL, RC, vehicle fitness, permit, NOC, road tax
🌳Environment & Forests
Pollution control NOC (CTE/CTO), forest clearance, wildlife
👷Labour & Employment
ESIC, EPF, minimum wages, factory inspection
👵Social Welfare
NSAP pensions (widow, old-age, disability), SC/ST/OBC welfare
🍚Food & Civil Supplies
Ration card, FPS dealer, NFSA, PDS distribution
📜 Sample RTI question templates for Tamil Nadu
Three reusable question patterns that work for most citizen RTIs. Substitute the bracketed values with your own.
Sample 1
I am a resident of Tamil Nadu. Please provide the status of my application no. [____] dated DD-MM-YYYY for [scheme/service]. Specifically: (1) current stage; (2) name and designation of the dealing officer holding my file; (3) reason for delay beyond the timeline specified in the [State Citizen Charter / Scheme Operational Guidelines]; (4) expected date of disposal.
Sample 2
Please provide a copy of the file noting on application no. [____] submitted to your office on DD-MM-YYYY, including any objections raised, and the §10 severability if any portion is exempt under §8 of the RTI Act 2005.
Sample 3
Provide the list of beneficiaries of [scheme name] sanctioned by your office in Tamil Nadu for FY 2024-25, in compliance with §4(1)(b)(xii) of the RTI Act 2005. (Personal contact details may be redacted under §8(1)(j); other sanction details are public.)
⚠ Common mistakes to avoid in Tamil Nadu
Filing errors that get RTIs rejected or weakened — and what to do instead.
✗ Don't
Asking "Why is my application delayed?"
✓ Do
Ask "Provide the file noting + reason for delay beyond [scheme] timeline" — RTI seeks records, not opinions (//Khanapuram Gandaiah//, SC 2010).
✗ Don't
Filing without your application reference number
✓ Do
Always include your application/scheme reference number — the office cannot trace your file otherwise.
✗ Don't
Sending by ordinary post (no proof)
✓ Do
Always use Speed Post or Registered Post AD — the receipt proves the date of filing for the §7(1) 30-day clock.
✗ Don't
Asking for someone else's personal data
✓ Do
Other applicants' Aadhaar, bank, phone, address are §8(1)(j) personal information (//Girish Ramchandra Deshpande//, SC 2013) — denied. Only your own + suo motu disclosable lists.
✗ Don't
Not paying the fee (or invoking BPL waiver)
✓ Do
Application returned as defective. Pay via the state-accepted mode OR attach BPL card for §7(5) waiver.
✗ Don't
Sending a Union RTI (UIDAI/EPFO/MEA) to a state portal
✓ Do
Wrong addressee — file Central RTIs at rtionline.gov.in.
📍 Top cities & districts in Tamil Nadu
Major filing locations. Each district has its own PIOs (DM/Collector, SP, Municipal Commissioner, RTO).
📍 Chennai
📍 Coimbatore
📍 Madurai
📍 Tiruchirappalli
📍 Salem
📍 Tirunelveli
For a PIN-based civic profile of any locality in Tamil Nadu, use 🌐 Citizen 360 — one PIN gets you the full local data + 3 ranked Master RTIs.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Tamil Nadu
The 6 most common questions citizens ask about filing RTIs in Tamil Nadu.
QHow much does it cost to file an RTI in Tamil Nadu?
The standard application fee is ₹50, payable via Court Fee Stamp. BPL applicants are exempt from any fee under §7(5) RTI Act 2005 — attach a copy of your BPL card.
QWhat languages can I file RTI in for Tamil Nadu?
You can file in Tamil, English OR in English OR in Hindi (every Indian state accepts Hindi as a Union language). The PIO is required to provide the reply in the language requested or in the local official language.
QWhat if the PIO doesn't reply in 30 days?
Treat it as a deemed refusal under §7(2) RTI Act. File a First Appeal under §19(1) to the FAA of the same office within 30 days. If the FAA also fails, file a Second Appeal under §19(3) to the Tamil Nadu Information Commission within 90 days.
QCan I track my RTI online for Tamil Nadu?
Yes — at the state portal: https://tnrti.tn.gov.in. For Union Government RTIs (UIDAI, EPFO HQ, MEA, MoRTH, etc.) use central portal rtionline.gov.in instead.
QWhat is the penalty if my PIO ignores the RTI?
₹250/day fine (capped at ₹25,000) on the PIO from their personal salary, under §20(1) RTI Act 2005, ordered by the SIC/CIC. The PIO can also face departmental action.
QAre there extra charges beyond ₹50?
Yes — typically ₹2 per A4 page for certified copies and ₹5 per hour for inspection of records (after the first hour, which is free) under the RTI Rules 2012. The PIO must intimate the additional fee in writing before delivery.
State data verified Apr 2026 from official portals. Case-law count reflects curated entries in our 408-case database — full court coverage at /cases/search.