Answer By law4u team
To file a complaint under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, you can approach the Central Information Commission (CIC) or State Information Commission (SIC) depending on the public authority involved. When can you file a complaint (not appeal) under RTI? Under Section 18 of the RTI Act, you can file a complaint in these cases: No Public Information Officer (PIO) is appointed PIO refuses to accept your RTI application You are refused access to information No reply is received within 30 days Fees charged are unreasonable False or misleading information is provided You are unable to submit an RTI due to disability or other reason Steps to File a Complaint under RTI Act: 1. Identify the Authority: Central Information Commission: for Central Government departments State Information Commission: for State Government departments 2. Draft the Complaint: Include the following: Your name and contact details Name of the public authority and PIO Details of your RTI application (date, content, method) Grounds for complaint Relief sought (e.g., information disclosure, penalty, etc.) Supporting documents: copy of RTI, postal proof, replies, etc. 3. Submit the Complaint: A. Central Information Commission (for central departments): Online: [https://cic.gov.in](https://cic.gov.in) → “File Complaint” Offline: Send complaint by post to: Central Information Commission, Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka, New Delhi – 110067 B. State Information Commission (for state departments): Visit the official website of your state’s SIC (e.g., [sic.maharashtra.gov.in](http://sic.maharashtra.gov.in), [sic.gujarat.gov.in](https://sic.gujarat.gov.in), etc.) Some states also offer online filing, others accept postal complaints Fee: No fee is required to file a complaint under Section 18. (Only RTI application requires a ₹10 fee — not the complaint.) Time Limit: There is no specific time limit under Section 18, but it is advisable to file the complaint soon after the violation.
