How to file an RTI application online

Ask a central government office for information under the Right to Information Act on the RTI Online portal.

Checked on 11 November 2026. Fees, forms and steps change. Confirm on the official website before you pay. This is not a government website, and we do not process any application.

What you need

A clear idea of the information or record you want
The name of the ministry, department or public body that holds it
A mobile number and email address
A way to pay ₹10 online

Steps

Tick each step as you finish it. The ticks stay in your browser.

Open rtionline.gov.in. This portal is for ministries, departments and other public authorities of the central government.
Choose "Submit Request" and accept the guidelines.
Select the ministry or department and the public authority. Fill in your name, address, mobile number and email.
Type your request in the box. Ask for specific records, with dates or file numbers where you know them. A longer request can be attached as a PDF.
If you are not below the poverty line, pay the fee of ₹10 by UPI, card or net banking. Applicants below the poverty line pay nothing but must upload the BPL certificate.
Submit and note the registration number. You also get it by SMS and email.
Use "View Status" to see the reply. If you get no reply in 30 days, or are not satisfied, file a first appeal on the same portal within 30 days. The first appeal is free.

Fee

The application fee is ₹10 for central public authorities. Charges for photocopies, if any, are told to you separately. State governments have their own fees and portals.

Good to know

Ask for records, not opinions. "Give a copy of the order" works; "why was this done?" often does not.
You do not have to give any reason for asking.
For a state government office, a municipality or a panchayat, use your state's RTI portal if it has one, or send a paper application to the Public Information Officer of that office.
Do not put personal details such as Aadhaar or bank numbers in the request. Replies can become public.
Keep a copy of your request and the registration number until you have the reply.

Official website

RTI Online (Government of India)

The link opens the official site in a new tab. Check that the address in your browser matches.

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