RTI is often the quickest way for an ordinary person to get papers out of a government office: the status of a police complaint, the file on a building permission, records at the Registrar’s or Charity Commissioner’s office. This guide explains what the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2026 say, and what the Right to Information Act, 2005 still guarantees. It covers applications to Maharashtra state and local authorities, not central government offices.
The 2026 rules at a glance
| Item | What the 7 July 2026 rules say |
|---|---|
| Application fee | Rs 10, by cash against receipt, demand draft, banker’s cheque, or a Rs 10 court fee stamp |
| Length and subject | One subject per application, ordinarily not more than 150 words. If an application covers several subjects, the officer answers only the first and asks you to file separately for the rest |
| Copies | Rs 2 per A4 or A3 page, plus postage; actual cost for larger paper |
| Inspecting files | First hour free, then Rs 5 for every 15 minutes or part. Only a pencil may be used; no marks may be made on the records |
| Diskette or printed material | Rs 50 per diskette; the publication price, or Rs 2 per page for extracts |
| First appeal | Within 30 days, in the Annexure B format, Rs 20 fee, with a copy of the order |
| Second appeal | To the State Information Commission within 90 days of the first appeal order, Annexure C format, Rs 20 fee |
What the RTI Act still guarantees
The rules deal with fees and forms. Your core rights come from the Right to Information Act, 2005, which the rules cannot take away:
- No reasons needed. Section 6(2) says an applicant “shall not be required to give any reason” for asking, and need give only contact details. The 2026 application form has no field for the purpose.
- Answer within 30 days. Section 7(1) requires a decision within thirty days; where the information concerns a person’s life or liberty, within 48 hours.
- Silence counts as refusal. Under Section 7(2), if no decision comes in time, the request is deemed refused and you can appeal.
- Late means free. Section 7(6): if the office misses the time limit, the information must be given free of charge.
- No fee for people below the poverty line. Section 7(5) bars charging fees to persons below the poverty line. The Maharashtra form asks you to attach proof of BPL status.
- Wrong office. Section 6(3) requires an office to transfer your application to the right authority within five days.
- Penalty on the officer. Section 20(1) lets the Information Commission fine an information officer Rs 250 a day, up to Rs 25,000, for refusing or delaying without reasonable cause.
How to file in Maharashtra
- Choose the office. Address the application to the Public Information Officer of the office that holds the record.
- Write one clear question. One subject, ideally a short list of specific documents with dates or file numbers, within about 150 words.
- Pay Rs 10. Offline by court fee stamp, cash with receipt, DD or banker’s cheque. Online, through the state RTI portal.
- Keep proof. A stamped acknowledgement, or the online registration number.
- Count 30 days. If there is no reply or the reply is unsatisfactory, file a first appeal to the officer senior to the information officer within 30 days.
- Second appeal. If the first appeal does not resolve it, approach the Maharashtra State Information Commission within 90 days.
Filing online
The Government of Maharashtra runs an online RTI portal at rtionline.maharashtra.gov.in, developed with the National Informatics Centre. It accepts RTI applications and first appeals to Maharashtra public authorities that are listed on it, and fees can be paid by net banking, debit card or credit card. Applications meant for central government or other states are returned, and the portal says the fee is not refunded. Its helpline is 1800 120 8040. Applications to central government offices go through the Central Government’s own RTI portal.
Common questions
Did Maharashtra raise the RTI fee in 2026?
Under the rules notified on 7 July 2026, the application fee is Rs 10 and the appeal fee is Rs 20. Those rules state that they supersede the version published on 12 June 2026.
Do I have to say why I want the information?
No. Section 6(2) of the RTI Act says no reason is required, and the 2026 form does not ask for one.
Can I ask about several things in one application?
The 2026 rules limit each application to one subject. If you ask about several, only the first will be answered, so file separately.
Can I use RTI for a pending police complaint or a court case?
You can ask a public authority, such as a police station, for records it holds. Some information is exempt under Section 8 of the Act. Courts have their own rules for copies of court records; see getting a certified copy of a court order.
Sources
- Government of Maharashtra, General Administration Department, Notification No. GAD/12020/4/2025-GAD-DESK-6 dated 7 July 2026: Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2026 (rules as published on the state RTI portal)
- Right to Information Act, 2005, Sections 6, 7, 19 and 20 (text on the Central Information Commission website)
- Online RTI Information System, Government of Maharashtra
This guide is general information. Whether a particular record must be disclosed depends on the record and the exemptions in the Act.