Open the official RTI Online portal
Go to rtionline.gov.in and select Submit Request. Read the portal guidelines before continuing.
Important: Central Government portal only
The RTI Online portal of the Department of Personnel & Training is meant for RTI applications and first appeals relating to Ministries, Departments and other participating public authorities of the Central Government. Do not use this portal for State Government public authorities, including the Government of NCT of Delhi. The portal states that such applications may be returned without refund of the amount paid.
RTI Online at a glance
Who can file online?Indian citizens seeking information from participating Central Government public authorities.
Application feeNormally ₹10 under the RTI Rules, 2012; eligible BPL applicants are exempt on furnishing the required proof.
First appeal feeNo fee is payable for a first appeal on the Central RTI Online portal.
Online paymentCurrent portal options include internet banking, debit/credit cards, RuPay and UPI.
How to file an RTI application online
Select the correct public authority
Choose the Central Government Ministry, Department, apex body or public authority that holds the information you require. Selecting the correct authority can avoid delay or transfer of the request.
Enter applicant and contact details
Complete the mandatory fields marked with an asterisk. A mobile number may be provided for SMS alerts. Enter an active email address so portal communications can reach you.
Write a precise RTI request
Ask for identifiable records or information held by the public authority. The portal currently limits text entered in the request field to 3,000 characters; a longer application may be uploaded as a supporting document as permitted by the portal.
Pay the fee or claim BPL exemption
Where the application fee is payable, proceed through the online payment gateway. Applicants claiming the below-poverty-line exemption should provide the prescribed supporting proof.
Save the registration number
After successful submission, the portal issues a unique registration number. Keep it safely; it is used for tracking the request and for filing a first appeal.
RTI Act time limits you should know
| Stage | General time limit | Legal position |
|---|---|---|
| CPIO response | 30 days | Section 7(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, subject to special situations provided by the Act. |
| Life or liberty information | 48 hours | Where the information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person, Section 7(1) provides the shorter period. |
| First appeal | Within 30 days | Section 19(1): ordinarily within 30 days from expiry of the response period or receipt of the CPIO decision; delay may be condoned for sufficient cause. |
| First appeal decision | 30 days; up to 45 days with recorded reasons | Section 19(6). |
| Second appeal | Within 90 days | Section 19(3): to the Central Information Commission for Central public authorities, subject to condonation for sufficient cause. |
How to file the first RTI appeal online
If no decision is received within the applicable statutory period, or if you are aggrieved by the CPIO's decision, a first appeal can ordinarily be filed under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act.
Open "Submit First Appeal"
Use the official First Appeal form.
Enter the original RTI details
The online form requires the RTI request registration number and email ID associated with the original request, along with the security code.
State concise grounds
Identify the CPIO response, delay, incomplete information, refusal or other grievance and clearly state the relief sought from the First Appellate Authority.
No first-appeal fee
The official portal guidelines state that no fee is payable for the first appeal.
Second appeal or complaint before the CIC
For Central public authorities, a second appeal under Section 19(3) lies to the Central Information Commission (CIC). It is generally filed within 90 days from the date on which the First Appellate Authority's decision should have been made or was actually received. The CIC also has a separate complaint jurisdiction under Section 18.
The CIC announced restoration of its upgraded online Second Appeals & Complaints Portal on 17 August 2026. Applicants can use the current CIC portal for online filing and case-related documents.
Official RTI links
Practical drafting tips for an RTI request
Ask for existing records, documents, file notings, orders, reports, correspondence, certified copies or other information held by the public authority. Keep each query specific, identify a sensible date period, and avoid combining unrelated subjects in one application. RTI is a mechanism for access to information held by a public authority; it is not a substitute for a grievance-redressal proceeding.