A government office is ignoring you? File an RTI.
When a sarkari office won't answer, won't act, or won't tell you why — you can force a written reply for ₹10. The Right to Information Act gives every citizen this power, and you don't need a lawyer to use it.
Ask her about this — freeWhat the law actually says
- Any citizen of India can file an RTI. You don't need a reason, and you don't have to explain why you want the information. They can ask for your contact details, and nothing more.
- The application fee is ₹10 for central government departments; state departments set their own, usually the same or less. If you hold a BPL (Below Poverty Line) card, it's completely free — no fee at all.
- Your application goes to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned department. Every public office has one, and they are legally bound to respond.
- They must reply within 30 days. If the information concerns your life or liberty, the deadline drops to 48 hours. No reply by the deadline is itself a violation you can appeal. Miss the deadline and they must give you the information free — the fee no longer applies.
What to do
- 1
Write your question to the PIO
Address it to the Public Information Officer of the department you want answers from. Keep questions specific and numbered. You can write in English, Hindi, or your state's official language. If you cannot write it yourself, the officer must help you put it in writing — you can give it orally.
- 2
Pay the ₹10 fee and send it
File online at rtionline.gov.in for central government bodies, or your state's RTI portal. For others, send it by post with a ₹10 postal order, court-fee stamp, or demand draft. BPL card holders pay nothing.
- 3
Wait for the 30-day reply
The PIO must respond within 30 days (48 hours if it's about your life or liberty). Keep your receipt or online registration number — it's your proof of the date you filed.
- 4
Appeal if they don't reply or fob you off
No answer, or a useless one? File a First Appeal to the First Appellate Authority within 30 days — free. If you are late for a good reason, they can still accept it. Still stuck? A Second Appeal goes to the State or Central Information Commission. And if they refuse to take your application at all, you can complain straight to the Information Commission — you do not need an appeal first.
Your rights, at a glance
File an RTI application
- How long it takes
- Reply due within 30 days (48 hours for life/liberty)
- Where to go
- PIO of the department — online or by post
- Rough cost
- ₹10 (free for BPL, and free if they miss the deadline)
File online
- How long it takes
- Instant submission, same 30-day clock
- Where to go
- rtionline.gov.in (central) or your state RTI portal
- Rough cost
- ₹10 online
First Appeal (no/bad reply)
- How long it takes
- Within 30 days of the deadline or reply (later, with a good reason)
- Where to go
- First Appellate Authority in the same department
- Rough cost
- Free
Second Appeal
- How long it takes
- Within 90 days of the first appeal decision — or of the date it was due, if none came
- Where to go
- State or Central Information Commission
- Rough cost
- Free
Common questions in this area
Write your question here. Next is a 30-second phone signup — then she answers it.
Free · no card · one problem a day.
When you need a real lawyer
RTI is designed for ordinary people — you almost never need a lawyer. The whole process, including both appeals, is meant to be done by yourself for ₹10. The only time it becomes a court matter is if a public body flatly refuses to comply even after the Information Commission orders it, which can be challenged through a writ petition in the High Court. That's the rare case where Miss Lucy Pro or an advocate helps — for the RTI itself, you've got this.
File it yourself at rtionline.gov.in — ₹10, no lawyer neededThis is guidance, not a lawyer. Miss Lucy Lite helps you understand your rights and your next step in plain English. It is in no way a replacement for proper legal advice — when your situation needs a real document or a fight in court, she'll tell you plainly that it's time to see a lawyer.