RTI application (right to information)
How to ask a government office for information under the RTI Act, what it costs, and where to appeal if you get no answer.
About this guidePending verification
Published on 12-11-2026. Not every fact has been checked against its official source yet: confirm at the office.
For whom: Indian citizens (including those living abroad) who want information, or copies of records, from a Telangana state government office or a central government office.
Answer the questions below first. Then the documents and steps open.
1Your situation
We show only what your answers need.
- Which of these are you?
- Which office holds the information you want?
- At what level is that office?
- Are you below the poverty line, with government proof of it?
- How will you send the application?
Your answers stay on this phone.
Each step below says who it is for. Confirm yours at the office, then change your answer here.
This route does not apply to your situation
The Right to Information Act gives this right to citizens (section 3), and an Indian embassy (Ministry of External Affairs) also says it is for citizens of India only. Under the Home Ministry's notification, OCI cardholders are foreign nationals, not Indian citizens. So OCI cardholders and foreign nationals cannot apply under this Act.
→ Under section 4(1)(b) of the Act, every public office must publish details of its work, officers, rules and schemes without being asked. Look on the office's website.
Sources: 1, 16, 17
2Documents you need
Tick the ones you have. They are kept in this browser.
Details
Not confirmed: The rules treat "White Card" holders as below the poverty line. Ask the office's Public Information Officer (PIO) whether your current ration card counts.
Sources: 3, 11
Details
A certificate issued by the government
Sources: 12, 13
Details
Also copies of any other papers you rely on, with a list of them
Sources: 4, 12, 7
Details
Sources: 7
Nothing to get ready before these steps.
3Your steps
· Do them in order. Tick each one when it is done.
- Do this nowIf: Indian citizen living abroad (NRI)If: A Telangana state government office
Indian citizens living abroad have the same right.
You can send an application to a Telangana office online on the portal. The Act also allows a written request on paper, but the Telangana papers do not say how to send one from abroad, so ask the help desk first. The steps below apply to you too.
Not confirmed
On the portal the fee is paid by net banking or a debit or credit card (Master, VISA, RuPay); the Telangana papers do not say whether a foreign bank card works, or how to pay the fee by post from abroad. Ask the portal help desk on 9581821471 on working days (the portal's help page says 11 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 5 PM; the foot of the same page says 10:30 AM to 5 PM) or by e-mail to rti-helpdesk@telangana.gov.in.
Sources: 1, 11
- Do this nowIf: Indian citizen living abroad (NRI)If: A central government office (for example a central ministry, the railways, the post office)If: No
Indian citizens living abroad can pay the RTI fee for central offices online with the Department of Posts' electronic postal order (eIPO).
When buying it, choose the ministry or department you are applying to; it works for that one only. Attach a printout to a paper application. For an online application, the embassy's page says to attach the eIPO, but RTI Online's own guidelines do not mention it and list only their Make Payment choices (net banking, cards, UPI).
Sources: 16, 13
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government officeIf: On paper
Write the application to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the office, "under section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005".
Say clearly what information you want; you need not give a reason. Add your name and address for the reply.
Sources: 1, 5, 6
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government officeIf: On paper
You may write in Telugu, English or Hindi.
If you cannot write, the PIO must help you put your spoken request in writing.
Sources: 1, 6
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government officeIf: Online
On the Telangana RTI portal, open "New Application" and choose the department and the office.
Write your request in up to 3000 characters; if it is longer, attach it as a PDF.
Open the official pageNot confirmed
You can only choose offices on the portal's list. If your office is not listed, send the application on paper.
Sources: 10, 11
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government officeIf: Village level (for example the gram panchayat)If: No
There is no application fee for a village-level office.
Sources: 2, 11
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government officeIf: Mandal level (for example the Tahsildar office)If: No
The application fee for a mandal-level office is ₹5.
Sources: 2, 11
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government officeIf: District level, state level or any other officeIf: No
The application fee for a district-level, state-level or other office is ₹10.
Sources: 2, 11
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government officeIf: Mandal level (for example the Tahsildar office) / District level, state level or any other officeIf: NoIf: On paper
Pay the fee in one of these ways: a court fee stamp stuck on the application; cash, against a receipt; or a postal order, demand draft or banker's cheque payable to the office's Accounts Officer.
Sources: 2, 3
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government officeIf: Mandal level (for example the Tahsildar office) / District level, state level or any other officeIf: NoIf: Online
Pay the fee on the portal with "Make Payment": net banking, a debit or credit card, a RuPay card or UPI.
Sources: 10, 11
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government officeIf: Yes, and I have proof
White ration card holders need not pay the application fee.
Attach a copy of the card to the application (upload it if you apply online). The portal's help page asks for a copy of a BPL certificate, so ask the office whether the card copy is enough.
Sources: 3, 1, 11
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government officeIf: On paper
Give the application to the office's PIO by hand.
The papers we read do not say clearly whether it may be posted; ask the office before posting one. You may also give it to the Assistant PIO (APIO); then 5 days are added to the time limit. Keep a copy: you will need it for an appeal.
Sources: 1, 6, 4, 7
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government officeIf: Online
After you submit online, keep the registration number (it comes by SMS and e-mail).
You can check the status on the portal under "Application Status".
Open the official pageSources: 11, 10
- Do this nowIf: A central government office (for example a central ministry, the railways, the post office)If: Online
On the RTI Online portal, open "Submit Request" and choose the ministry or office.
Write your request in up to 3000 characters, in English letters and numbers (the box does not take Telugu script); if it is longer, attach it as a PDF with no spaces in the file name. Do not upload Aadhaar, PAN or any other identity copy (only a BPL card). This portal is for central offices only.
Open the official pageSources: 13, 14
- Do this nowIf: A central government office (for example a central ministry, the railways, the post office)If: On paper
Write the application and give it, or post it, to the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the office.
Keep it normally under 500 words, though it cannot be rejected only for being longer. Include the CPIO's address and yours.
Sources: 12, 1, 16
- Do this nowIf: A central government office (for example a central ministry, the railways, the post office)If: No
The application fee for a central office is ₹10.
Sources: 12, 13, 16
- Do this nowIf: A central government office (for example a central ministry, the railways, the post office)If: NoIf: Online
Pay the fee on the portal with "Make Payment": net banking, a debit or credit card, a RuPay card or UPI.
If money is taken but no number comes, do not pay again; wait 24 to 48 working hours.
Sources: 13, 14
- Do this nowIf: A central government office (for example a central ministry, the railways, the post office)If: NoIf: On paper
Pay the fee in cash against a receipt, or by demand draft, banker's cheque or Indian Postal Order payable to the office's Accounts Officer.
Sources: 12
- Do this nowIf: A central government office (for example a central ministry, the railways, the post office)If: Yes, and I have proof
People below the poverty line pay no fee.
Attach a copy of the BPL certificate issued by the government to the application.
Sources: 12, 13, 1
- Do this now
Wait for the reply.
The PIO must give the information, or refuse it with reasons, within 30 days. If it concerns a person's life or liberty, it must be given within 48 hours.
Sources: 1, 5, 6
- Do this nowIf: No
If copies cost more, the PIO must tell you in writing, with the calculation.
It is ₹2 a page for A4 or A3 paper. The information is given once you pay.
Sources: 1, 2, 12, 6
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government officeIf: Yes, and I have proof
If copies cost more, the PIO must tell you in writing, with the calculation (₹2 a page for A4 or A3 paper).
Not confirmed
The Act (section 7(5)) says no such fee is charged to people below the poverty line; the fee order exempts White Card holders from the application fee only. Ask the PIO whether you must pay.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 6
- Do this nowIf: A central government office (for example a central ministry, the railways, the post office)If: Yes, and I have proof
If copies cost more, the CPIO must tell you in writing, with the calculation (₹2 a page for A3 or smaller paper).
People below the poverty line pay no such fee; a copy of the government's BPL certificate must go with the application.
Sources: 1, 12
- Do this now
If no reply comes within 30 days, or you are not satisfied with it, give a first appeal to the officer senior to the PIO in the same office (the First Appellate Authority).
If you applied online, you can appeal on the same portal under "First Appeal".
Sources: 1, 6, 11, 14
- Do this now
The First Appellate Authority must decide within 30 days, or within 45 days in all if it records its reasons for the delay.
Sources: 1, 6
- Do this nowIf: A Telangana state government office
If you are not satisfied with the first appeal decision, or none comes, file a second appeal with the Telangana Information Commission (TGIC).
You can do it online on the Commission's website, attaching your identity proof, RTI application and first appeal as one PDF of up to 1 MB.
Open the official pageNot confirmed
The Commission's address is Samachara Hakku Bhavan, behind Mozam-Jahi Market, Hyderabad 500001; phone 040-24740240. The pages we read do not say clearly that appeals by post are accepted; call and ask before posting one.
Sources: 1, 4, 7, 6, 9
- Do this nowIf: A central government office (for example a central ministry, the railways, the post office)
If you are not satisfied with the first appeal decision, or none comes within 45 days, file a second appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC).
You can do it online on the Commission's portal, logging in with your e-mail or mobile number.
Open the official pageSources: 1, 12, 15
If something goes wrong
If it is rejectedIf the PIO refuses, you must be told in writing the reasons, the time allowed for an appeal and who the First Appellate Authority is.
If the PIO refuses, you must be told in writing the reasons, the time allowed for an appeal and who the First Appellate Authority is. Give a first appeal within 30 days.
First Appellate Authority (in the same office)
Sources: 1, 6
If it is lateNo reply within 30 days counts as a refusal: give a first appeal.
No reply within 30 days counts as a refusal: give a first appeal. Information given after the time limit must be free. For a Telangana office, you can also complain directly to the Information Commission.
Telangana Information Commission: online complaint · Open the official page
Sources: 1, 6, 8, 9
If it is lateNo reply within 30 days counts as a refusal: give a first appeal.
No reply within 30 days counts as a refusal: give a first appeal. Information given after the time limit must be free. For a central office, complaints and second appeals go to the Central Information Commission. You can call the Commission's helpdesk for help.
Central Information Commission (CIC) · Open the official page
Sources: 1, 15
If you are asked for more moneyIf the fee asked seems unreasonable, you can ask the First Appellate Authority to review it, or complain to the Information Commission.
If the fee asked seems unreasonable, you can ask the First Appellate Authority to review it, or complain to the Information Commission.
Telangana Information Commission: online complaint · Open the official page
Sources: 1, 6, 8
If you are asked for more moneyIf the fee asked seems unreasonable, you can ask the First Appellate Authority to review it, or complain to the Central Information Commission (CIC).
If the fee asked seems unreasonable, you can ask the First Appellate Authority to review it, or complain to the Central Information Commission (CIC).
Central Information Commission (CIC) · Open the official page
Sources: 1, 15
AlsoIf the PIO or APIO will not accept your application, or the office has no PIO, complain to the Information Commission.
If the PIO or APIO will not accept your application, or the office has no PIO, complain to the Information Commission.
Telangana Information Commission: online complaint · Open the official page
Sources: 1, 8
AlsoIf the CPIO or the Assistant CPIO will not accept your application, or the office has no CPIO, complain to the Central Information Commission (CIC).
If the CPIO or the Assistant CPIO will not accept your application, or the office has no CPIO, complain to the Central Information Commission (CIC).
Central Information Commission (CIC) · Open the official page
Sources: 1, 15
AlsoIf something goes wrong on the Telangana RTI portal, call the helpdesk on working days, or e-mail rti-helpdesk@telangana.gov.in.
If something goes wrong on the Telangana RTI portal, call the helpdesk on working days, or e-mail rti-helpdesk@telangana.gov.in.
Telangana RTI portal helpdesk · Open the official page
Sources: 11
Official websites for this work
- RTI Online (central) RTI applications to central offices
- RTI (Telangana) RTI applications to state offices
The 17 official pages and papers this guide is written from
- The Right to Information Act, 2005 (No. 22 of 2005), Gazette of India Extraordinary, Part II, Section 1Ministry of Law and Justice (Legislative Department), Government of India; Gazette copy on the Telangana RTI portal, Sections 3 (all citizens have the right to information), 4(1)(b) (what public authorities must publish on their own), 6(1)-(3), 7(1), 7(3), 7(5), 7(6), 7(8), 18(1), 19(1), 19(3), 19(6) (21-06-2005) · read on 30-10-2026
- G.O.Ms.No.454: Right to Information (Regulation of fee and cost) Rules, 2005General Administration (I&PR.II) Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh (rules continued in Telangana; copy on the Telangana Information Commission website), Rules 3 and 4 (13-10-2005) · read on 30-10-2026
- G.O.Ms.No.740: amendment to the RTI (Regulation of fee and cost) Rules, 2005 (court fee stamps, postal orders, White Card holders exempt)General Administration (Coordination, GPM&AR) Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh (copy on the Telangana Information Commission website), Amendments 1(i), 1(ii) and 2 (01-10-2007) · read on 30-10-2026
- G.O.Ms.No.66: State Information Commission (Appeal Procedure) Rules, 2006General Administration (I&PR.II) Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh (copy on the Telangana Information Commission website), Rules 3 and 4 (25-02-2006) · read on 30-10-2026
- Your Right to knowTelangana Information Commission, Questions 1-3 (procedure, time limit, fee) · read on 30-10-2026
- Frequently Asked QuestionsTelangana Information Commission, Questions 9, 10, 11, 14 and 16 · read on 30-10-2026
- TGIC Online: Online Second AppealTelangana Information Commission, Instructions; Supporting Documents · read on 30-10-2026
- TGIC Online: Online ComplaintTelangana Information Commission, Instructions; Supporting Documents · read on 30-10-2026
- Contact UsTelangana Information Commission, Address, phone and working hours · read on 30-10-2026
- RTI Online Application (Telangana RTI portal), home pageITE&C Department, Government of Telangana, Right To Information – RTI ACT; RTI Request menu; payment modes · read on 30-10-2026
- Right to Information Act, 2005 – Frequently Asked Questions (Telangana RTI portal)ITE&C Department, Government of Telangana, Questions 1-4, 6-8 and 10; the RTI Helpdesk line at the foot of the page (hours) · read on 30-10-2026
- Right to Information Rules, 2012Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India (Gazette notification G.S.R. 603(E); copy published by the Central Information Commission), Rules 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 (31-07-2012) · read on 30-10-2026
- Guidelines for use of RTI Online PortalDepartment of Personnel and Training, Government of India (RTI Online portal) · read on 30-10-2026
- RTI Online Frequently Asked QuestionsDepartment of Personnel and Training, Government of India (RTI Online portal), Which public authority; payment; wrong public authority; first appeal; state public authorities · read on 30-10-2026
- Notice: online filing of Second Appeals and ComplaintsCentral Information Commission, Items (i) and (v) · read on 30-10-2026
- Right to InformationEmbassy of India, The Hague (Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India), Opening paragraph (the right is available to citizens of India only; application fee equivalent to INR 10/-); "Payment of RTI fee online" (eIPO of the Department of Posts and DoPT, for Indian citizens abroad; made out to one ministry or department; printout attached to a paper application, or attached to an online one) · read on 30-10-2026
- Notification S.O. 1050(E), 4 March 2021: rights of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (Gazette of India Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3(ii), No. 962)Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Rights (1)–(4); right (5) (in all other economic, financial and educational fields not named, the same rights and privileges as a foreigner); Explanation (1) (an OCI cardholder is a foreign national holding a foreign passport and is not a citizen of India) (04-03-2021) · read on 30-10-2026