Now you can file RTI Application Online, which is hassle free & more convenient. Online RTI Application portal is an initiative of Department of Personnel and Training (Govt of India) to enable Indian citizens to file RTI Application Online. Though its a different story that when i tried to file RTI Application Online, it got failed both the times. I was charged on both the occasions by SBI Payment Gateway but application was not successfully submitted. The redirect URL from SBI Payment Gateway to https://rtionline.gov.in/ website does not exist. I sent an email to helprtionline-dopt@nic.in with all the details and awaiting revert on same. Despite technical issues, i must admit that facility to file RTI Application Online is an attempt to bring Internet Generation under RTI fold .
Imp Points before filing RTI Application Online
1. Currently Online RTI Application can be submitted only for the Ministries and Departments of Central Govt. in Delhi. Kindly do not submit any request seeking information from Public Authorities of State Government.
2. I am confused regarding Length of RTI application. The RTI portal allows 3000 Characters for RTI application and same is mentioned in the “Guidelines for use of RTI Online Portal”. The FAQ section on the portal specify this limit as 500 Characters which is confusing. Pls check following link
https://rtionline.gov.in/FAQ-RTI-Online.pdf
3. The RTI Application text does not allow URL’s in the application, which is quite ridiculous. In one of my RTI application, i was trying to quote example of state government website but the portal did not allowed URL’s in the application.
4. The 10 Rs fees for RTI application is waived off for Below Poverty Line applicants. To avail the waiver, applicant need to provide details of BPL Card No., Year of Issue and Issuing Authority.
5. RTI Act allows only Indian Citizens to seek information but quite surprisingly on Online Portal it is not Mandatory to select “Citizenship” option. Also in “Citizenship” there is an option to select “Others” i.e. NRI’s or foreigners. Though instruction is there that “Only Indian citizens can file RTI Request application“. Am not sure why option of “Others” is provided & why it is not mandatory to declare “Citizenship” status.
6. For any help regarding RTI Application Online, you may send email to helprtionline-dopt@nic.in or call at 011-24622461 (Between 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM) from Mon to Fri.
7. You may check the status of your online RTI Application through view Status option. If you are not satisfied with the response of PIO / CPIO then you can also submit 1st appeal through same portal without paying any additional fees.
8. For Payment, Only India Credit cards are accepted
9. Please note that all the applications submitted through online Portal will be transmitted to Nodal Office not the PIO/CPIO/First Appellate Authority. Nodal officer will transmit the application to concerned PIO/CPIO/1st Appellate Authority.
10. Please note that in case you have selected wrong Ministry/Department by mistake while submitting RTI Application Online. Be assured Nodal Officer of that Ministry/Department will forward your request to correct Ministry/Department under section 6(3) of RTI Act.
11. Any communication on additional fees to be paid for providing information w.r.t. your RTI application can be viewed in “View Status” section and you will also receive email regarding same. There will be option in “View status” to “Make Payment”
12. Any supporting information can be uploaded through “Supporting Document” section. Only pdf file of upto 1 MB can be uploaded.
How to file RTI Application Online
To file RTI Application Online is very simple and straightforward process.
Step 1: Visit https://rtionline.gov.in/
Though there is a section for registered users but User Registration is not mandatory to file RTI Application Online. If you are a RTI Activist like me than its better to register on the site as you can keep track of all the RTI Applications Submitted Online.
If you don’t wish to register than you can click “Submit Request” on the webpage
Step 2: Guidelines for use of RTI Online Portal
Next page shows 20 broad Guidelines. I would suggest you to go through all as it mention all the critical info, you need to know while submitting RTI Application Online.
Select check-box option in front of “I have read and understood the above guidelines.” and click “submit”
Step 3: Online RTI Request Form
On this page, you need to fill mandatory fields. Some fields are optional.
(a) Public Authority Details:
In this section you need to “Select Ministry/Department/Apex Body” from which you wish to seek information.
(b) Personal Details of RTI Applicant:
Following fields are Mandatory
Name, Address & Email Address
(c) Request Details:
3rd Section is related to RTI Application details. As i mentioned surprisingly it is not mandatory to declare “Citizenship” status. Following fields are mandatory in this section
Is the applicant BPL, Text for RTI Request Application (Upto 3000 Characters) & Security Code (To avoid spam)
After entering all the details, click “Submit”
Step 4: Online Request Payment Form
Here you need to select Payment Mode and there are 3 options
(a) Internet Banking (Though its not mentioned but Internet Banking of only SBI and its associate banks is available)
(b) ATM cum Debit Card of SBI
(c) Credit or Debit Card
Step 5: Enter necessary Payment Details & complete payment
Step 6: After successful Payment, Unique Registration number will be issued. This Registration No can be used to check status of your online RTI Application through same portal.
If you have filed RTI application online then you can share your experience through following comments section. You can follow this blog through Google+
Copyright © Nitin Bhatia. All Rights Reserved.
Sir how u get/got the answer/reply by post or online portalitself?
I am still waiting for reply on my online RTI applications. I will let you know once i receive the revert.
For me its being disposed off with status online as “Reply sent on 1.01.2014” till date not received nether by post nor online. what to do next?
It must be sent through Ordinary Post. I would suggest you to wait for couple of more days else you can file 1st Appeal for Free through following link
http://rtionline.gov.in/
Already filed the appeal. till date no response. :(. also called the CPIO they said CPIO on medical leave.
Under RTI Act, CPIO needs to dispose the application within 30 days. You may submit 1st Appeal online regarding same, if information is not received within 30 days.
Yesterday, i received revert on my RTI application. You may check it on Online Portal only. After login click on “Disposed of” in “Requests” section. On next page, click on link below “Status”. You will find the revert after application details in Remarks section.
Hi, I tried to create my application and went through the payment. Payment was successful, however the browser did not take me back to the RTI page. Now i do not see and active application under my login. Do i need to resubmit the application as i did not get any registration number, or should I wait for a couple of days?
I would request you to wait for 48 hours if still the application is not visible under active application then you should submit again.
hello sir i have applied for an RTI for the ministry of HRD but still today (31st day since the application forwarded to the CPIO) i haven’t received any reply from the concerned authorities. should i wait for few more days or simply file an first appeal.
I will suggest you to wait for 2 weeks.
my rti request is forwarded to UGC under section 6(3) of rti act 2005. what does this mean/ please help me sir.
Section 6(3) in The Right To Information Act, 2005 states that the subject matter of which is more closely connected with the functions of another public authority therefore your RTI query will be answered by UGC not HRD Ministry to whom RTI application was addressed. You have to wait for 30 days to receive revert from UGC.
Hello Sir,
I am trying to file an RTI over the RTI Portal but It is not getting submitted. Kindly suggest the ways to process the application.
Thanks.
You have not mentioned the error. It might be browser issue. Try in another browser.