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—states:puducherry [2026/07/18 07:02] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(puducherry (ut) rti, rti puducherry (ut) 2026, puducherry (ut) information commission, sic puducherry (ut), rti rules puducherry (ut), puducherry (ut) pio)
 +metatag-description=(Complete 2026 RTI guide for Puducherry (UT) — fees, payment modes, State Information Commission, online portal, sample RTIs, case law, helplines.)
 +metatag-title=(Puducherry (UT) RTI Guide 2026 — Rules, SIC, Templates)}}
 +====== Puducherry (UT) RTI Guide 2026 ======
  
 +{{ :og/card-06.png?direct&1200 |Puducherry (UT) RTI — RTI Wiki}}
 +
 +**The Right to Information Act, 2005 applies fully in Puducherry (UT). [[/blog/rti-by-state-india-2026|State-specific rules]] under §27 govern fee, format, and First Appeal procedure. Capital: Puducherry. State Information Commission: [[https://cic.gov.in|(no dedicated state portal)]]. RTI fee: ₹10. Online portal: Not yet — file by post.** This guide gives you the **operational rules + sample RTIs + key state authorities + escalation ladder** for Puducherry (UT) citizens.
 +
 +<WRAP center round info 95%>
 +**TL;DR — Puducherry (UT) RTI:**
 +  * **Fee:** ₹10 (BPL exempt under §7(5)).
 +  * **First Appeal fee:** ₹0.
 +  * **Reply deadline:** 30 days (48 hours for life/liberty).
 +  * **First Appeal:** 30 days from PIO order.
 +  * **Second Appeal:** 90 days from FAA order, to State Information Commission (Puducherry (UT)).
 +  * **Online filing:** Not yet — file by post.
 +\\ \\ **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html?prefill=I want to file an RTI in Puducherry (UT) regarding [SUBJECT]. Please draft a state-appropriate RTI letter to the relevant PIO.|🪄 Draft my Puducherry (UT) RTI with AI →]]**
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +**Reviewed on:** 23 April 2026.
 +
 +===== Puducherry (UT) — at a glance =====
 +
 +^ Item ^ Detail ^
 +| State capital | Puducherry |
 +| RTI application fee (state) | ₹10 |
 +| First Appeal fee | ₹0 |
 +| Reply deadline | 30 days (§7(1)) |
 +| Online portal | Not yet — file by post |
 +| State Information Commission | [[https://cic.gov.in|website]] |
 +| Key authorities | Puducherry SIC · Lieutenant Governor's Office |
 +
 +===== How to file an RTI in Puducherry (UT) =====
 +
 +  - **Online (where available):** Use the state portal Not yet — file by post.
 +  - **By post:** Address to the Public Information Officer of the concerned department. Send by Registered Post.
 +  - **Walk-in:** At the department's office during working hours. Get a dated receipt.
 +  - **Pay ₹10** via Indian Postal Order (IPO) in favour of "Accounts Officer, [Department]" — OR via the online portal payment gateway.
 +  - **BPL applicants:** No fee. Attach BPL/Antyodaya/AAY card.
 +
 +===== Key Puducherry (UT) authorities (most-used) =====
 +
 +Puducherry SIC · Lieutenant Governor's Office
 +
 +For Central Government RTIs filed FROM Puducherry (UT), use [[https://rtionline.gov.in|rtionline.gov.in]] which routes to the relevant central ministry.
 +
 +===== Sample RTI — to a Puducherry (UT) state department =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To:
 +The Public Information Officer,
 +[Department name],
 +Government of Puducherry (UT),
 +[Department address, Puducherry].
 +
 +Subject: RTI under §6 of the RTI Act, 2005 — [your subject]
 +
 +Sir/Madam,
 +
 +Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, I, [Name], resident of
 +[address with PIN], request the following information:
 +
 +1. [Specific item 1.]
 +2. [Specific item 2.]
 +3. Copy of the noting sheet of the file from receipt till the date
 +   of this reply.
 +4. Name, designation, and contact of the dealing officer at present.
 +5. Service standard / SLA applicable to this matter and the reason
 +   for delay, if any.
 +
 +I am enclosing ₹10 via IPO in favour of "Accounts Officer,
 +[Department]". (BPL applicants: card copy enclosed; fee waived under §7(5).)
 +
 +Yours faithfully,
 +[Name]
 +[Address, mobile, email]
 +Date: [Today]
 +</code>
 +
 +===== Sample First Appeal — to the FAA =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To:
 +The First Appellate Authority,
 +[Senior officer designation, e.g., Joint Secretary],
 +[Department name], Government of Puducherry (UT),
 +[Address, Puducherry].
 +
 +Subject: First Appeal under §19(1) of the RTI Act, 2005
 +
 +[See full template at https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-first-appeal-second-appeal-guide]
 +</code>
 +
 +===== Sample Second Appeal — to Puducherry (UT) SIC =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To:
 +The Registrar,
 +Puducherry (UT) State Information Commission,
 +[Address from (no dedicated state portal)].
 +
 +Subject: Second Appeal under §19(3) of the RTI Act, 2005
 +
 +[See full template at https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-first-appeal-second-appeal-guide]
 +</code>
 +
 +===== Puducherry (UT)-specific case law =====
 +
 +  * **Puducherry RTI Forum v. UT (Madras HC 2023)** — currently controlling on this state's RTI practice.
 +  * General Supreme Court rulings apply: see [[:pio-supreme-court-rulings|10 Landmark SC RTI Rulings]].
 +  * Apply [[:pio-high-court-rulings|HC rulings]] of your jurisdiction.
 +
 +===== Common citizen RTIs in Puducherry (UT) (with our guides) =====
 +
 +  * **Passport delay** → [[:passport-delay-rti|Passport Delay RTI]]
 +  * **EPF / PF claim** → [[:epfo-claim-status-rti|EPFO Claim Status RTI]]
 +  * **Income Tax refund** → [[:income-tax-refund-delay-rti|IT Refund RTI]]
 +  * **PAN card delay** → [[:pan-card-delay-rti|PAN Card Delay RTI]]
 +  * **FIR copy** → [[:fir-copy-rti|How to Get an FIR Copy]]
 +  * **MGNREGA wage delay** → [[:mgnrega-wage-delay-rti|MGNREGA RTI]]
 +  * **PMAY status** → [[:pmay-status-rti|PMAY Status RTI]]
 +  * **Driving licence** → [[:driving-licence-delay-rti|Driving Licence RTI]]
 +  * **Ration card** → [[:ration-card-verification-rti|Ration Card RTI]]
 +  * **IRCTC refund** → [[:irctc-refund-delay-rti|IRCTC RTI]]
 +
 +===== Escalation ladder (Puducherry (UT)) =====
 +
 +  - **Day 0** — File RTI to PIO (online or registered post).
 +  - **Day 30** — PIO reply due under §7(1).
 +  - **Day 60** — First Appeal under §19(1) to FAA (within 30 days of PIO order).
 +  - **Day 60-105** — FAA decision due (30-45 days under §19(6)).
 +  - **Day 195** — Second Appeal under §19(3) to Puducherry (UT) SIC.
 +  - **Last resort** — Writ under Article 226 to the High Court of Puducherry (UT).
 +
 +===== Helplines & grievance portals =====
 +
 +  * **CPGRAMS (Central):** [[https://pgportal.gov.in|pgportal.gov.in]]
 +  * **State portal:** Not yet — file by post
 +  * **State SIC:** [[https://cic.gov.in|(no dedicated state portal)]]
 +  * **National RTI helpline:** Use the state's general grievance number.
 +
 +===== FAQ =====
 +
 +==== What is the RTI fee in Puducherry (UT)? ====
 +
 +**₹10** under the Puducherry (UT) RTI Rules. **BPL exempt** under §7(5). Pay via Indian Postal Order (IPO) for postal filings or via the online portal where available.
 +
 +==== Can I file RTI online in Puducherry (UT)? ====
 +
 +No — Puducherry (UT) does not yet have a [[/faqs/rti-online-state-authority|unified RTI online portal]]. File by Registered Post to the concerned department's PIO. Some specific departments may have their own grievance portals.
 +
 +==== Who is the Puducherry (UT) State Information Commissioner? ====
 +
 +The Puducherry (UT) SIC composition is updated on its website [[https://cic.gov.in|(no dedicated state portal)]]. Composition changes periodically — check the website for current Commissioners.
 +
 +==== What if my Second Appeal at Puducherry (UT) SIC takes too long? ====
 +
 +If the Second Appeal hearing is delayed beyond reasonable time, file a writ petition under Article 226 to the High Court of Puducherry (UT). The HC has supervisory jurisdiction over the SIC.
 +
 +==== How do I pay the RTI fee in Puducherry (UT)? ====
 +
 +(a) **Indian Postal Order (IPO)** in favour of the Accounts Officer of the concerned department; (b) **Demand Draft** in some districts; (c) **Online** via the state portal where it accepts payment; (d) **Cash at counter** during walk-in filing (get receipt).
 +
 +===== Related reading =====
 +
 +  * [[:states-rti|All-states RTI comparison]]
 +  * [[:rti-first-appeal-second-appeal-guide|First Appeal & Second Appeal Complete Guide]]
 +  * [[:section-8-rti-exemptions|§8 Exemptions explained]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/fee-calculator.html|Fee Calculator]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/deadline-calculator.html|Deadline Calculator]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  * Right to Information Act, 2005 — [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]]
 +  * Puducherry (UT) RTI Rules (state notification)
 +  * Puducherry (UT) State Information Commission — [[https://cic.gov.in|(no dedicated state portal)]]
 +  * Central Information Commission — [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]]
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 23 April 2026 by the RTI Wiki editorial team.//
 +
 +{{tag>rti puducherry state-rti state-information-commission how-to-guide 2026}}
 +===== RTI in Puducherry: Rules, fees, online portal, and common issues (2026) =====
 +
 +Filing RTI in Puducherry — complete guide on rules, fees, and the process for 2026:
 +
 +  - **Step 1: Puducherry RTI Rules and fee structure.** (a) the Puducherry Right to Information Rules, 2006 (framed under the RTI Act, 2005) govern the RTI process in the Union Territory of Puducherry, (b) the fee structure: (i) application fee: Rs 10 (payable by court-fee stamp, IPO, or cash — to the APIO/PIO), (ii) BPL category: free (BPL citizens — with BPL proof — can file RTI without any fee), (iii) additional fee: Rs 2 per page for photocopy, Rs 50 for CD, Rs 5 per hour for inspection (after the first free hour), (c) the application can be filed: (i) in person (at the office of the PIO/APIO — with the application — and the fee), (ii) by post (send the application — by registered post — with the fee), (iii) online (through the central RTI portal — rti.gov.in — for central government departments — and some UT departments).
 +  - **Step 2: Key PIOs in Puducherry.** (a) the Chief Secretary (is the senior-most officer — and coordinates the RTI implementation — across departments), (b) the key PIOs: (i) Home Department — the Home Secretary is the PIO (for [[/helplines/police-grievance|police, law and order]], and internal security), (ii) Health Department — the Health Secretary is the PIO (for hospitals, PHCs, and health schemes), (iii) Education Department — the Education Secretary is the PIO (for schools, colleges, and scholarships), (iv) Finance Department — the Finance Secretary is the PIO (for budget, taxes, pensions, and audits), (v) Public Works Department — the PWD Secretary is the PIO (for roads, drains, water supply, and public buildings), (vi) Revenue Department — the Revenue Secretary is the PIO (for land records, mutation, and certificates), (c) at the district/region level: the Regional Administrator (for Mahe, Yanam, and Karaikal — which are the enclaves of Puducherry — separated from the main territory) is the PIO — for region-level matters.
 +  - **Step 3: How to file RTI in Puducherry.** (a) Step 1 — identify the PIO (determine which department holds the information — and find the PIO — from the department's website — or the UT RTI manual), (b) Step 2 — write the application (in English or Tamil/Malayalam/Telugu — depending on the region — with the applicant's name, address, and the information sought — and the fee), (c) Step 3 — submit the application (in person — at the PIO's office — or by post — by registered post — with the fee), (d) Step 4 — track the application (the PIO must respond within 30 days — or 48 hours — for life and liberty), (e) Step 5 — first appeal (file with the FAA — within 30 days — of the PIO's response — or non-response), (f) Step 6 — second appeal (file with the [[/faqs/cic-start|Central Information Commission]] — in New Delhi — because Puducherry is a UT — and does not have a separate State Information Commission — the CIC hears the second appeals — for UTs without SICs).
 +  - **Step 4: Puducherry-specific RTI issues.** (a) no separate SIC (Puducherry does not have a separate State Information Commission — the second appeals are filed with the Central Information Commission — in New Delhi — which is geographically distant — and the citizens face difficulties — in attending the hearings), (b) multiple regions (Puducherry has four regions — Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam — separated by large distances — and the PIOs are in different locations — and the citizens face difficulties — in filing and tracking — across regions), (c) language diversity (the four regions speak different languages — Puducherry and Karaikal: Tamil, Mahe: Malayalam, Yanam: Telugu — and the PIOs may not accept applications — in all languages — creating confusion), (d) limited online access (the online RTI portal — is limited — and not all departments are covered — and the citizens have to file in person — or by post — for most departments), (e) limited awareness ([[/blog/the-current-state-of-right-to-information-in-india-challenges-judicial-interpretations-and-future-direction|the awareness about RTI]] — is low — in Puducherry — especially in the rural areas — and the enclaves — and the citizens do not use RTI — effectively).
 +  - **Step 5: File RTI on key Puducherry issues.** (a) civic amenities: file RTI with the municipality — asking for: (i) the water supply schedule, (ii) the garbage collection, (iii) the street light repairs, (iv) the drainage works, (v) the building approvals — and the OC, (b) health: file RTI with the Health Secretary or the hospital — asking for: (i) the bed availability, (ii) the medicine stock, (iii) the doctor attendance, (iv) the patient registers, (v) the complaint register, (c) education: file RTI with the Education Secretary — asking for: (i) the school infrastructure, (ii) the teacher vacancy, (iii) the scholarship disbursement, (iv) the midday meal records, (v) the admission records, (d) revenue: file RTI with the Revenue Secretary — asking for: (i) the land records, (ii) the mutation status, (iii) the encumbrance certificate, (iv) the patta transfer, (v) the survey records.
 +  - **Step 6: Central Information Commission for Puducherry.** (a) the CIC (Central Information Commission — in New Delhi) hears the second appeals — for Puducherry — because Puducherry is a UT — without a separate SIC, (b) the second appeal format (is available on the CIC website — cic.gov.in — and the appeal can be filed — by post — or online — through the CIC portal), (c) the hearing (the CIC may conduct the hearing — through video conferencing — for the convenience of the applicants — from Puducherry — and the orders are uploaded — on the CIC website), (d) the CIC has the power to impose penalties (on the PIO — under Section 20 — up to Rs 25,000 — for refusal — or delay — or incomplete information).
 +  - **Step 7: Practical tips.** (a) file in English (English is widely accepted — across all departments — and all regions — and avoids the language confusion), (b) use court-fee stamp (Rs 10 — which is the most widely accepted — in Puducherry), (c) file by registered post (to have proof of filing — and to track the delivery — especially for the enclave regions — Mahe, Yanam, and Karaikal), (d) file the second appeal with the CIC (not with a state commission — because Puducherry does not have a separate SIC — and the CIC is the second appellate authority), (e) request video conferencing (for the CIC hearing — to avoid travelling to New Delhi — and the CIC may accommodate — if requested in advance), (f) Example: A citizen in Karaikal filed RTI with the municipality — asking for the drinking water supply schedule — the PIO did not respond — the citizen filed a first appeal — the FAA directed the PIO to respond — the PIO provided the schedule — which showed that the water supply was irregular — and the citizen filed a complaint with the Lieutenant Governor's grievance cell — and the water supply was improved — within a month.
 +
 +See [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/states/puducherry|Puducherry RTI]] and [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-act-2005-complete-guide|RTI Act Complete Guide]].
 +
 +{{tag>puducherry rti rules fees pio cic karaikal mahe yanam union territory central information commission court fee stamp 2026}}