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File a request for information

7steps
5documents to keep ready
Read it in words

Any Indian citizen can send a request for information to a Central government office on RTI Online. State government offices are not covered.

Central Government Checked 2026-10-22 RTI Online (Government of India)

Steps

  1. Open the RTI Online website
    Go to the RTI Online website. It works only for a Central government office or department, not a State one.
    Open this page
  2. Click Submit Request
    Click Submit Request in the menu. You do not need to sign up or log in.
  3. Read the guidelines
    Read the guidelines carefully before you fill in the form.
  4. Fill in the request form
    Choose the Central office your request is for, then type your question in the box. The box takes up to 3000 characters; if your question is longer, upload it as a PDF in Supporting Document.
    Open this page
  5. Click Make Payment and pay
    If you are not below the poverty line, click Make Payment. This takes you to the secure page where you pay online, by internet banking, Master or Visa card, RuPay card or UPI.
  6. Verify your email with the OTP (One-Time Password)
    Type the OTP sent to your own email, on the RTI Online page only.
    Open this page
  7. Save your registration number
    After you submit, a unique registration number is issued. Note it down for later.
    Open this page
  8. After the last step
    Keep your registration number safe.
    Use View Status with that number to see the reply.
    No number after paying? Wait, then use Payment Reconciliation.
    The official page does not say how long the office takes to reply.

What you need

  • Your question, written clearly
  • PDF of a long question
  • Below-poverty-line certificate copy, if exempt from fee
  • Debit card, credit card, internet banking or UPI
  • Email address you can open
Amount not confirmed on the official page
Free for below poverty line, with certificate

Where to find it

Home Submit Request Open the official page

If something goes wrong

Your request is for a State office
Do not file it here. It is returned and the fee is not refunded.
You paid but got no registration number
Do not pay again. Wait 24 to 48 working hours, then try Payment Reconciliation, where the portal matches your payment with your request.
Your question is too long for the box
Upload it as a PDF in Supporting Document.
Someone asks for your OTP or password
Never share an OTP or password with anyone who calls or messages you.

Official help

RTI Online help desk (email)
helprtionline-dopt[at]nic[dot]in

Words used on this page

RTI (Right to Information)Your right to ask a government office for information.
Public authorityA government office or department that must answer your request.
Registration numberA unique number given when your request is submitted. Use it to follow up.
Payment gatewayThe secure page where you pay online.
BPL (below poverty line)A group of people who pay no RTI fee if they attach a certificate.
OTP (one-time password)A short code sent to your email. Type it only on the RTI Online page.
Payment ReconciliationA portal option that matches your payment with your request when no number came.

Sources and how we checked

Last checked against the official source: 2026-10-22

Known limits

We read the official pages on 2026-10-22. We have not tested every step ourselves, so if a screen looks different, follow what the official website shows.