January 22, 2026

RTI Online Guide: How to File, Track & Get Answers from the Government for ₹10

💻 Tool Guide: RTI Online (Right to Information)

The Action Hub

Access the official portal to file your application.

  • Official Portal: rtionline.gov.in
  • Cost: ₹10 per application (Free for BPL Card Holders).
  • Time Limit: 30 Days for reply.
  • Motto: "Information is Power."
⚠️ IMPORTANT: This portal is for Central Government Ministries (Railways, MEA, PMO, etc.). For State Governments (like UP or Maharashtra), you must visit their specific state RTI portals, though the process is largely similar.

Introduction: The "Sunshine Law" of India

(Why You Should File an RTI)

Before 2005, the workings of the Indian government were shrouded in the "Official Secrets Act." Bureaucrats worked behind an iron curtain, and the common citizen had no right to ask why a road wasn't built or where the scholarship money went.

The Right to Information Act, 2005 changed everything. It replaced the culture of secrecy with a culture of transparency. It gave every citizen the legal right to inspect government works, documents, and records.

Why is it called the Sunshine Law? Because sunlight is the best disinfectant. When officials know that a citizen can ask for the file noting, corruption shrinks.

Today, you don't need to be a lawyer or an activist to use this weapon. You don't even need to visit a Post Office. With the RTI Online portal, you can file a query from your smartphone in 5 minutes. Whether you are a student asking about exam vacancies, a pensioner asking about delayed funds, or a resident asking about road contracts, this tool forces the government to answer you.

This guide is your masterclass. We will teach you how to draft a "killer" RTI application that officials cannot reject, how to pay the fee, and what to do if they ignore you.

📝 The Golden Rules: What Can You Ask?

Before you log in, you must understand what "Information" means. This is where 90% of applications fail.

Rule 1: Ask for "Records," Not "Opinions"

  • Wrong: "Why did you not repair my road?" (This asks for a reason/opinion. The officer can say "It is not recorded.")
  • Right: "Please provide the certified copy of the contract awarded for the repair of MG Road, and the completion certificate issued to the contractor." (This asks for a document. They must give it.)

Rule 2: Do Not Ask "Future" Questions

You cannot ask "When will the exam be held?" if the date hasn't been decided on paper. You can only ask for information that already exists in the files.

Rule 3: The "Life and Liberty" Clause

If your question concerns the life or liberty of a person (e.g., a person illegally detained by police), the government must reply within 48 hours, not 30 days.

🚀 Step-by-Step Guide: Filing Your First RTI

Follow this exact workflow to ensure your application is accepted.

Go to rtionline.gov.in. While you can file as a guest ("Direct Submission"), creating an account saves your details and keeps a history of all your RTIs in one dashboard.

Step 2: Select the Ministry

  • Click on "Submit Request."
  • You will see a search bar. Type the keyword.
    • Example: If asking about Train Delays, select Ministry of Railways.
    • Example: If asking about Passport status, select Ministry of External Affairs.
  • Public Authority: Sometimes you need to be specific. Under Railways, you might select "Northern Railway" specifically.

Step 3: The Application Form

  • Personal Details: Name, Address, Email, Phone. (Your name will be revealed to the officer; anonymous RTIs are not allowed).
  • BPL Status: If you hold a Below Poverty Line card, select "Yes" and upload proof. The ₹10 fee is waived.

Step 4: The "Text for RTI Request"

This is the main box. You have 3000 characters.

  • Supporting Documents: If your text is long, write "Please see attached PDF" and upload a file.

Drafting Template:

"I seek the following information under the RTI Act, 2005 regarding [Topic]:Please provide the number of...Please provide the certified copy of...Please provide the daily progress report of..."

Step 5: Payment

  • Click "Make Payment."
  • Pay ₹10 using Internet Banking, Credit/Debit Card, UPI, or RuPay.
  • Once successful, you will get a Registration Number (e.g., MORA/R/E/23/00123). Save this number!

🕵️ The Process: What Happens Next?

Once you click submit, your application travels through the digital corridors of power.

1. The CPIO (Central Public Information Officer)

Your request goes to the CPIO. Every government department has a designated CPIO.

  • Their Job: To find the information and send it to you.
  • Timeline: They have 30 Days.
  • Transfer: If you sent it to the wrong department (e.g., sent a Road query to Railways), the CPIO must transfer it to the correct department within 5 days and inform you.

2. The Reply

You will get an email alert.

  • Scenario A (Success): "The information has been sent to your email/address."
  • Scenario B (Additional Fee): If the documents are huge (e.g., 500 pages), they will ask you to pay ₹2 per page for photocopying charges.
  • Scenario C (Rejection): They refuse to give info citing Section 8 (National Security, Privacy, Cabinet Papers).

⚖️ If They Refuse: The "First Appeal"

If 30 days pass and you get no reply, or if you are unhappy with the vague answer ("Data not available"), do not give up.

  • Action: File a First Appeal.
  • Where: On the same portal (rtionline.gov.in), click "Submit First Appeal."
  • To Whom: The First Appellate Authority (FAA). This is a senior officer senior to the CPIO.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Timeline: The FAA must decide within 30-45 days. They usually order the CPIO to give the information.

🏛️ The Final Battle: Second Appeal (CIC)

If even the FAA fails you, you go to the Supreme Court of Information: The Central Information Commission (CIC).

  • Action: File a Second Appeal.
  • Where: cic.gov.in.
  • The Process: This is a quasi-judicial process. You and the Government officer will be summoned for a hearing (often via video conference).
  • The Power: The Information Commissioner can fine the officer ₹250 per day (up to ₹25,000) for delaying information. This penalty is deducted from the officer's personal salary. This fear drives the entire RTI system.

💡 Practical Tips for Success

  1. Be Specific: Don't ask for "All files related to roads." Ask for "Files related to Contract No. XYZ." Vague requests get rejected for "Disproportionately diverting resources."
  2. Use "Certified Copies": Always ask for "Certified Copies." These are legally valid in a court of law. A plain printout is not.
  3. Language: You can file in English or Hindi (for Central Govt).
  4. Inspection: Instead of asking for 1000 pages, you can ask to "Inspect the files in person." You can visit the office, spend an hour reading the files, and only ask for copies of the pages you need. The first hour of inspection is free.

Your toolkit for transparency:

  • Central Portal: rtionline.gov.in
  • CIC Decisions: cic.gov.in (Read past judgments to learn how to argue).
  • Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT): The nodal ministry for RTI rules.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I file an RTI against a Private Company (like Jio or Tata)?

Generally, No. The RTI Act applies to "Public Authorities" (Government bodies). Private companies, NGOs (unless substantially funded by govt), and private schools are outside its ambit.

  • Exception: You can ask the Government Regulator (e.g., TRAI or RBI) for information they hold about the private company.

Q2. Can I ask for the file notings?

Yes. File notings (the handwritten comments by officers on the margins of a file) are the most valuable part. They reveal who made the decision and why. You have the right to access them, except in sensitive defense/security matters.

Q3. Is my identity safe?

While the Act protects you, your name and address are visible to the CPIO. In sensitive cases (like exposing a local mafia), this can be risky.

  • Tip: For dangerous queries, activists often use the "Post Box" method or file through a friend in a different city to avoid local identification.

Q4. Can Non-Citizens/NRIs file RTI?

The Act says "All Citizens shall have the right." Foreigners cannot file. However, NRIs holding Indian passports can file RTIs online using the portal.

Q5. What is "Third Party Information"?

If you ask for someone else's personal info (e.g., "Give me the Income Tax Returns of Mr. Sharma"), the CPIO will reject it under Section 8(1)(j) (Privacy). Unless you can prove a larger Public Interest (e.g., Mr. Sharma is a corrupt official), personal privacy usually wins.

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