How to File an RTI Application Online in Maharashtra in 2026: New ₹30 Fee, 150-Word Limit, One Subject Rule and Appeal Deadlines
File RTI applications in Maharashtra online on rtionline.maharashtra.gov.in. Under the 2026 rules the fee is ₹30, copies cost ₹5 a page and replies are due in 30 days.
Photo: Shankyrosh / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You can file a Right to Information (RTI) application to Maharashtra government offices online at rtionline.maharashtra.gov.in. Under the Maharashtra RTI Rules, 2026, the application fee is now ₹30 (up from ₹10), copies cost ₹5 a page, and an application should cover one subject in no more than 150 words. The public authority must reply within 30 days.
The state notified the new rules in June 2026. Here is how filing works now.
What changed in 2026
| Item | Earlier | Now (2026 rules) |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | ₹10 | ₹30 |
| Copies (per page) | ₹2 | ₹5 |
| Inspection of records | First hour free, then ₹50 an hour | |
| First appeal fee | ₹50 | |
| Second appeal fee | ₹100 | |
| Length and scope | One subject, about 150 words |
Applicants also have to attach a self-attested photo ID as proof of citizenship, and information already published on government websites may simply be pointed to rather than certified again. Transparency activists have criticised the changes as making information costlier and harder to get; the government says they improve efficiency.
People below the poverty line are exempt from RTI fees under Section 7(5) of the RTI Act, on submitting proof such as a BPL certificate.
How to file online
- Go to rtionline.maharashtra.gov.in and register or log in.
- Choose the department and the public authority, such as the Pune Collectorate or a specific directorate.
- Write your questions clearly, on one subject, within the word limit.
- Upload your ID proof and BPL proof if applicable.
- Pay the fee online and save the registration number.
Many municipal corporations, including PMC and PCMC, also accept RTI applications at their offices; check whether they are listed on the state portal or file on paper with the Public Information Officer (PIO).
Timelines and appeals
- Reply: within 30 days, or 48 hours if the information concerns someone’s life or liberty.
- First appeal: to the First Appellate Authority in the same office, within 30 days of the reply or the deadline passing.
- Second appeal: to the Maharashtra State Information Commission, within 90 days of the first appeal decision.
RTI is often how citizens uncover how public money is spent. Read about a recent case of alleged disproportionate assets against an agriculture official.
This is general information about the RTI process, not legal advice. Check the current fee and rules on the official RTI portal before filing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the RTI fee in Maharashtra in 2026?
₹30 per application under the Maharashtra RTI Rules, 2026, with copies at ₹5 a page. BPL applicants are exempt.
How do I file RTI online in Maharashtra?
Register on rtionline.maharashtra.gov.in, choose the public authority, write your question, upload ID proof and pay the fee online.
How long does an RTI reply take?
30 days, or 48 hours if it concerns life or liberty.
What if I do not get an RTI reply?
File a first appeal with the First Appellate Authority within 30 days, and a second appeal to the State Information Commission within 90 days of that decision.
