To file an RTI with a Gujarat state department, write a short application to the department's Public Information Officer and pay the ₹20 fee set by the Gujarat RTI Rules 2010. You can apply on the state's online RTI portal or by post. The PIO must reply within 30 days, and BPL applicants pay nothing.
Updated 30 October 2026
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official portal | Gujarat online RTI portal (onlinerti.gujarat.gov.in); Gujarat Information Commission for second appeals |
| Helpline | The PIO's office of the department you're asking; Gujarat Information Commission office in Gandhinagar |
| Fee | ₹20 per application; BPL card holders exempt; copy charges extra |
| Deadline | Reply in 30 days (48 hours for life or liberty); first appeal within 30 days; second appeal to GIC within 90 days |
| Documents | Application, fee proof, BPL card copy if claiming exemption, ID not required |
| Related posts | RTI first appeal online, RTI second appeal guide |
Which RTI route should you use in Gujarat?
This is where most people go wrong. It depends on who holds the information:
| You want information from | Where to file | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat state departments, collectorates, municipal corporations, panchayats, state PSUs | Gujarat state PIO, online on the state portal or by post | ₹20 |
| Central ministries or central offices in Gujarat (passport office, EPFO, railways, income tax) | rtionline.gov.in | ₹10 |
So an RTI about your road in Ahmedabad goes to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's PIO under state rules. An RTI about your PF claim goes to EPFO through the central portal.
Who can file and what can you ask?
Any Indian citizen can file. You don't need to give a reason or prove you live in Gujarat. You can ask for:
Copies of files, file notings and orders
Status of your application or complaint
Copies of contracts, bills and work completion certificates
Rules, circulars and inspection reports
You can't ask for opinions or ask "why" questions. Ask for documents and records instead.
How do you file RTI online in Gujarat, step by step?
1. Open the state RTI portal at onlinerti.gujarat.gov.in. If the page doesn't load, try later or use the offline route below.
2. Register with your name, mobile number and email, and verify with OTP.
3. Choose the department and public authority. Pick the exact office, like the district collectorate or the municipal corporation.
4. Type your questions. Keep them short and numbered. Ask for specific documents with dates or periods.
5. Mention BPL status if you have a BPL card, and upload a copy.
6. Pay ₹20 online using net banking, card or UPI, as offered on the portal.
7. Submit and save the registration number and acknowledgment PDF.
8. Track the status on the portal using that number.
How do you file RTI offline in Gujarat?
1. Write your application on plain paper, addressed to "The Public Information Officer" of the department.
2. Write "Application under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005" at the top.
3. List your questions with numbers.
4. Pay ₹20 in a mode the office accepts, like cash against receipt, demand draft, postal order or court fee stamp. Check with the office first.
5. Send by Speed Post or registered post and keep the receipt. Or hand it over and get a stamped copy.
Sample RTI questions that work
For a delayed road repair in your ward:
1. Please provide a copy of the work order for repair of [road name], [ward no.], issued between 1 April 2026 and 30 October 2026.
2. Please provide the name of the contractor, the sanctioned amount and the completion date in the work order.
3. Please provide copies of measurement book entries and bills paid for this work.
Why do RTI applications get rejected or bounced?
Most rejections are avoidable. Watch out for these:
Wrong office. If you send it to the wrong department, the PIO must transfer it within 5 days under Section 6(3), but that still costs time. Pick the right office first.
Fee missing or in the wrong mode. Some offices don't accept every payment mode. Call or check before posting.
Vague questions. "Give all details about road works" invites a reply asking you to be specific. Name the road, ward and period.
Asking "why". RTI gives you records, not explanations. Rephrase as "copy of the file notings on..."
Exempt information. Section 8 of the RTI Act lets officers refuse some things, like information affecting national security or someone's private details with no public interest. If they refuse, they must say which clause applies, and you can challenge it in appeal.
What do copies cost?
Apart from the ₹20 application fee, the PIO may ask you to pay for copies, usually a small charge per page under the Gujarat rules. The PIO must tell you the amount in writing. If the PIO misses the 30-day deadline, Section 7(6) of the RTI Act says the information has to be given free of charge.
What if the reply is late or useless?
Late reply. If 30 days pass with no reply, you can file a first appeal with the First Appellate Authority, usually an officer senior to the PIO in the same department. File within 30 days of the deadline.
Wrong or incomplete reply. Same thing, file the first appeal within 30 days of getting the reply. Attach copies of your application and the reply.
First appeal fails too. File a second appeal or complaint with the Gujarat Information Commission (GIC) within 90 days. The commission's website has the forms and an option to submit an appeal online. GIC can order the information to be given and penalise the PIO up to ₹25,000 for unjustified delay or refusal.
Real-life examples
Example 1, Surat. Harsh wanted to know why his building plan approval was stuck. He filed an RTI with the Surat Municipal Corporation PIO, paid ₹20, and got the file notings within a month.
Example 2, a village in Banaskantha. Kanta, a BPL card holder, asked her taluka office for the beneficiary list of a housing scheme. She attached her BPL card copy and paid nothing.
Example 3, a late reply in Vadodara. Jignesh got no reply after 30 days. He filed a first appeal, and the officer directed the PIO to give the documents free of cost.
Checklist before you send
☐ Correct department and PIO address
☐ Questions numbered and specific, with dates
☐ ₹20 fee paid, or BPL card copy attached
☐ Your full postal address on the application
☐ Copy of everything kept, with postal receipt or online acknowledgment
☐ Date noted for the 30-day deadline
Final reminder
RTI works best when you ask for documents, not explanations. Keep the questions tight, track the 30-day clock and don't skip the first appeal if they stall. If a department keeps ignoring citizens, your MLA should hear about it. Find yours on NetaSampark's Gujarat page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the RTI fee in Gujarat?
₹20 per application under the Gujarat RTI Rules 2010. BPL card holders don't pay.
How long does a Gujarat PIO have to reply?
30 days from receiving your application, and 48 hours if it concerns someone's life or liberty.
Can I file a Gujarat RTI online?
Yes, through the state's online RTI portal. If it doesn't work, file by post or in person.
Where do I file a second appeal in Gujarat?
With the Gujarat Information Commission, within 90 days of the first appeal decision or the date it was due.
Can I use rtionline.gov.in for Gujarat government offices?
No. That portal is for central government offices. Gujarat state departments use the state system.
Sources
Right to Information Act, 2005 (India Code)