Jammu & Kashmir RTI Online: File RTI, Appeals & CIC Guide

Jammu and Kashmir became a Union Territory on 31 October 2019 under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. Following the reorganisation, the Right to Information Act, 2005, became applicable to all public authorities under the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, replacing the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act.

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir provides the official online RTI portal at rtionline.jk.gov.in, managed by the General Administration Department (GAD). Citizens can submit RTI applications online, pay the prescribed fee, track their applications, and file First Appeals through the same portal. The application fee is Rs. 10. RTI applications may be submitted in English, Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, or Dogri.

Since Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory, Second Appeals and RTI complaints are filed before the Central Information Commission (CIC) under Sections 19(3) and 18 of the RTI Act, 2005. There is no Jammu and Kashmir State Information Commission after the reorganisation of the erstwhile State in 2019.

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh follows a separate RTI mechanism for information relating to the High Court. Details regarding Public Information Officers, fee rules, and the application procedure are available on the High Court RTI portal at jkhc.gov.in/rti/public/.

Jammu and Kashmir has 20 districts, with Srinagar serving as the summer capital and Jammu as the winter capital. The Union Territory is headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, while Omar Abdullah has been serving as the Chief Minister since October 2024. For a state-wise guide covering RTI procedures across India, you can also read our RTI Online India Guide.

J&K RTI Framework After Becoming a Union Territory

Before 31 October 2019, Jammu and Kashmir had its own Right to Information laws, including the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009, under which RTI applications were handled through the former State Information Commission.

After the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 came into force on 31 October 2019, the National Right to Information Act, 2005 became applicable throughout the Union Territory. Since then, RTI applications relating to Jammu and Kashmir Government departments have been governed by the Central RTI framework.

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir now provides the official RTI portal at rtionline.jk.gov.in, where citizens can file RTI applications online, pay the prescribed fee, track application status and submit First Appeals. Since Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory, Second Appeals and RTI complaints are filed before the Central Information Commission (CIC) under the RTI Act, 2005.

Today, any citizen of India can seek information from public authorities under the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, subject to the exemptions provided under the RTI Act, 2005.

Central vs Jammu & Kashmir UT RTI: Know Where to File

Before filing an RTI, identify which government controls the public authority. Departments under the Government of Jammu & Kashmir should be approached through the J&K RTI portal, while departments under the Government of India should be approached through the Central RTI Portal.

File through rtionline.jk.gov.in for Jammu & Kashmir Government departments such as:

• Revenue Department – Jamabandi, Girdawari, Mutation, Fard-e-Malkiyat and other land records
• J&K Police – FIRs, investigation records, action taken reports and administrative records
• J&K Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JKPDCL) – electricity connections, billing and consumer services
• Public Works (R&B) Department – roads, bridges and government construction works
• Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC)
• Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB)
• Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Jammu Municipal Corporation and other Urban Local Bodies
• Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and Srinagar Development Authority (SDA)
• Gram Panchayats, Block Development Offices and Rural Development Department
• Social Welfare Department – pensions and welfare schemes
• School Education Department and JKBOSE
• Health & Medical Education Department – Government Medical Colleges, District Hospitals and PHCs
• Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited (covered under RTI as applicable)
• Tourism Department
• Forest, Ecology & Environment Department
• J&K Housing Board

File through rtionline.gov.in for Central Government departments and organisations in Jammu & Kashmir such as:

• Northern Railway, including the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)
• Income Tax Department
• Passport Offices
• Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
• UIDAI (Aadhaar-related matters)
• NHPC Limited
• National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)
• CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and other Central Armed Police Forces
• Indian Army establishments
• IIT Jammu
• NIT Srinagar
• Central University of Kashmir
• Central University of Jammu

High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh: RTI applications relating to the High Court are filed through the High Court’s dedicated RTI portal at jkhc.gov.in/rti/public/, which is separate from both the J&K RTI Portal and the Central RTI Portal.

J&K RTI Fee and Payment Modes

The application fee and other charges for RTI applications in Jammu & Kashmir are governed by the J&K and Ladakh (Right to Information) Rules, 2015.

• RTI application fee: Rs 10
• Photocopies (A4/A3): Rs 2 per page
• Larger-size documents: Actual cost
• Information on CD/DVD: Rs 50 per CD/DVD
• Inspection of records: Free for the first hour, then Rs 5 for every 15 minutes (or part thereof)
• First Appeal: No fee
• Second Appeal before the Central Information Commission (CIC): No fee

BPL applicants: Citizens below the Poverty Line are exempt from paying the RTI application fee. Attach a self-attested copy of the valid BPL certificate with the application to claim the exemption.

Online payment: If you file your RTI through rtionline.jk.gov.in, you can pay the Rs 10 application fee using the payment options available on the portal during the filing process.

Offline payment modes:

• Indian Postal Order (IPO) in favour of the concerned Public Information Officer (PIO)
• Demand Draft (DD) or Banker’s Cheque in favour of the concerned PIO
• Cash against an official receipt when submitting the application in person
• Court Fee Stamp, wherever accepted under the applicable rules

Filing RTI Online at rtionline.jk.gov.in: Step-by-Step

Important note from the portal: “General Administration Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, U.T is the nodal agency for managing the RTI Online application portal. The respective departments are responsible for the disposal of RTI applications received online through the portal.” Applications for central government bodies must not be filed here — they will be returned without refund.

Step 1: Go to rtionline.jk.gov.in. This is the official RTI portal for all J&K UT public authorities that are listed in the portal’s public authority menu.

Step 2: Click “Submit Request”. Read the guidelines carefully. Proceed to the application form.

Step 3: Register if you are a new user. Enter your name, mobile number, and email ID. Complete OTP verification. Existing users log in directly.

Step 4: Select the Public Authority from the dropdown. All J&K UT departments and public authorities enrolled on the portal are listed. The portal confirms: “The RTI online application/appeal can be filed only for the public authorities which are listed in the public authority menu of the RTI online portal. If an RTI application/appeal needs to be submitted to a public authority that is not listed in this portal, it is recommended to file the RTI Application physically.” If the department you seek is not listed, file by post.

Step 5: Fill in your personal details. Write your RTI application text in Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, or English in the text box. Frame numbered questions asking for specific documents, records, file notings, measurement books, and scheme data. The portal uses a Nodal Officer system for transmission.

Step 6: Upload supporting documents if needed.

Step 7: For non-BPL applicants, click to pay Rs 10 through the portal’s payment gateway. BPL applicants upload BPL certificate and proceed without payment.

Step 8: Submit. A unique Registration Number is generated. The application goes electronically to the Nodal Officer of the selected department and then to the concerned CPIO. Track through the portal using your Registration Number. For any portal-specific issues, contact GAD J&K UT’s RTI Online PMU. Departmental complaints go to the departmental nodal officers whose list is on the portal.

Filing RTI About the High Court of J&K and Ladakh

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh operates a dedicated RTI portal at jkhc.gov.in/rti/public/. This portal explicitly covers both the J&K and Ladakh High Court administrative records. Key features confirmed directly at jkhc.gov.in/rti:

• Fee: Rs 10 per application
• BPL applicants: Free, with a certificate from the concerned authority
• Applications accepted: Court working hours only, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
• Applications after working hours: processed next working day
• On successful submission: unique Reference/Diary Number sent via SMS
• J&K and Ladakh (Right to Information) Rules, 2015 apply

Do not file HC administrative RTIs on rtionline.jk.gov.in — use jkhc.gov.in/rti/public/ directly for High Court matters.

How to File an RTI by Post

If you do not wish to file your RTI application online, you can send it directly to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned department through Speed Post or Registered Post.

Step 1: Write your RTI application on plain paper in Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, or English. Clearly mention the information you want and keep your questions short, specific, and numbered.

Step 2: Attach the prescribed Rs 10 application fee through an accepted payment mode such as an Indian Postal Order (IPO), Demand Draft (DD), Banker’s Cheque, Cash (if submitting in person), or Court Fee Stamp, wherever applicable. BPL applicants should attach a self-attested copy of their valid BPL certificate instead of paying the fee.

Step 3: Address the application to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned department and mention the complete postal address on the envelope.

Step 4: Before sending the application, keep a photocopy of the RTI application, fee receipt, and all supporting documents for your records.

Step 5: Send the application through Speed Post with Acknowledgement Due (AD) or Registered Post. The date on which the PIO receives your application is considered the starting point for calculating the RTI response time.

Filing RTI In Person

Visit the CPIO or ACPIO (Central Assistant Public Information Officer) of the concerned department. Carry two copies of the application and Rs 10 cash. Pay against a proper receipt and collect a date-stamped acknowledgement. ACPIO offices are at every Tehsil, Block, and major government directorate across J&K’s 20 districts in both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions.

Response Timeline in Jammu & Kashmir

• 30 days: The Public Information Officer (PIO) must provide the requested information or reject the request with valid reasons within 30 days of receiving your RTI application.
• 48 hours: If the information concerns the life or liberty of a person, it must be provided within 48 hours.
• Transfer within 5 days: If the information is held by another public authority, the PIO must transfer your application within 5 days under Section 6(3) of the RTI Act. The response period is then calculated from the date the new PIO receives the application.
• Additional fee: If additional copying charges are payable, the PIO will inform you. The period between the fee intimation and your payment is excluded while calculating the 30-day time limit.

First Appeal under Section 19(1)

If you do not receive a reply within the prescribed time or you are not satisfied with the information provided, you can file a First Appeal before the First Appellate Authority (FAA) of the same department.

Time limit: File the appeal within 30 days from the date you receive the reply or from the expiry of the 30-day response period.

Appeal fee: No fee is payable.

Decision by FAA: The First Appellate Authority should normally decide the appeal within 30 days, which may be extended up to 45 days after recording reasons in writing.

Online First Appeal: If you submitted your RTI application through rtionline.jk.gov.in, log in to the same portal, choose the “Submit First Appeal” option, enter your Registration Number and complete the appeal process online.

Offline First Appeal: You may also send a written First Appeal to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) of the concerned department by Speed Post or Registered Post. Attach copies of your RTI application, the PIO’s reply (if any), and briefly explain why you are filing the appeal. No fee is required.

Second Appeal to the Central Information Commission (CIC)

Since Jammu & Kashmir is a Union Territory, Second Appeals and RTI complaints are filed before the Central Information Commission (CIC) under the Right to Information Act, 2005. The former Jammu & Kashmir State Information Commission no longer exists after the reorganisation of the erstwhile State in 2019.

Time limit: File the Second Appeal within 90 days from the date of the First Appellate Authority’s order or from the expiry of the prescribed period for deciding the First Appeal. The Commission may condone the delay if sufficient cause is shown.

Online Second Appeal: You can file your Second Appeal or RTI Complaint online through the Central Information Commission’s RTI portal. Complete the prescribed online form and upload the required supporting documents.

Offline Second Appeal: If you prefer, send your appeal by Speed Post or Registered Post to the Central Information Commission.

Postal Address:

The Registrar
Central Information Commission
Baba Gangnath Marg,
Munirka,
New Delhi – 110067

Documents to attach:

• Copy of the original RTI application.
• Proof of payment of the RTI application fee (if applicable).
• Copy of the reply received from the PIO, or proof that no reply was received.
• Copy of the First Appeal.
• Copy of the First Appellate Authority’s order, if any.
• A brief note explaining why you are filing the Second Appeal.
• Your name, complete postal address, mobile number and email address.

Fee: No fee is payable for filing a Second Appeal or Complaint before the Central Information Commission.

J&K CM Samadhan Portal: RTI vs Public Grievance

The J&K CM Samadhan Portal is the Union Territory’s official public grievance redressal platform. If your objective is to get a problem resolved, such as a delay in issuing a certificate, non-delivery of a government service, pending pension, electricity complaint, road repair, or inaction by a government office, use the Samadhan Portal instead of filing an RTI.

An RTI application can only be used to obtain information, records, documents, or certified copies. It cannot direct a department to take action or resolve your grievance.

If you want to know how to register a complaint, track its status, and escalate unresolved grievances, read our detailed guide on J&K CM Helpline: Samadhan Portal Complaint Registration Guide.

In many cases, both mechanisms can be used together. You can file an RTI to obtain official records while simultaneously submitting a grievance through the Samadhan Portal to seek action from the concerned department.

Tips Specific to Jammu & Kashmir RTI

• RTI Act, 2005 applies throughout J&K: Since the reorganisation of Jammu & Kashmir on 31 October 2019, the national RTI Act, 2005 applies to all departments of the Union Territory. Any citizen of India can file an RTI application relating to J&K Government departments.
• Choose the correct RTI portal: Use rtionline.jk.gov.in for departments of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. For Central Government organisations such as Railways, EPFO, Income Tax, NHPC, CRPF or UIDAI, file your RTI through rtionline.gov.in.
• J&K Bank RTIs: Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been treated as a public authority under the RTI Act. RTI applications relating to the bank can be filed with the designated Public Information Officer of the bank.
• JKPSC and JKSSB: If you need information about recruitment, answer keys, merit lists or examination records, file your RTI with the concerned Public Information Officer of JKPSC or JKSSB through the J&K RTI Portal or by post, as applicable.
• High Court has a separate RTI portal: RTI applications relating to the administrative records of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh must be filed through jkhc.gov.in/rti/public/. Do not use the J&K RTI Portal for High Court matters.
• Central organisations use the Central RTI Portal: RTIs relating to organisations such as NHPC, NHIDCL, Northern Railway, Indian Army, CRPF, BSF, CISF, Passport Office and UIDAI should be filed through rtionline.gov.in.
• File in your preferred language: RTI applications can be submitted in Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi or English. Choose the language you are most comfortable with.

Quick Reference

Particular	Details
J&K RTI Portal	rtionline.jk.gov.in
J&K Government Portal	jk.gov.in
High Court RTI Portal	jkhc.gov.in/rti/public/
Second Appeal Authority	Central Information Commission (CIC)
CIC Website	cic.gov.in
CIC Address	Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka, New Delhi – 110067
RTI Application Fee	Rs 10
Photocopy Charges	Rs 2 per page
Offline Payment Modes	IPO, Demand Draft, Banker’s Cheque, Court Fee Stamp, Cash (where accepted)
BPL Applicants	No application fee (valid BPL certificate required)
Languages Accepted	Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi and English
Central RTI Portal	rtionline.gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which RTI law applies in Jammu & Kashmir now?

Ans. The Right to Information Act, 2005 applies throughout Jammu & Kashmir. After the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 came into effect on 31 October 2019, the former J&K RTI Act, 2009 ceased to operate. Today, any citizen of India can file an RTI application relating to departments and public authorities of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

Q. Can I file an RTI application in Urdu, Kashmiri or Dogri?

Ans. Yes. RTI applications may be submitted in Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi or English. You may choose whichever language you are comfortable using. Public authorities cannot reject an RTI application merely because it has been written in any of these accepted languages.

Q. Where do I file the Second Appeal for an RTI in Jammu & Kashmir?

Ans. Since Jammu & Kashmir is a Union Territory, Second Appeals and RTI complaints are filed before the Central Information Commission (CIC), New Delhi. The former Jammu & Kashmir State Information Commission (JKSIC) no longer exists after the 2019 reorganisation. You can file the appeal online through the CIC portal or send it by post to the Central Information Commission.

Q. Can citizens from other states file RTIs about Jammu & Kashmir?

Ans. Yes. The Right to Information Act, 2005 gives every Indian citizen the right to seek information from public authorities. You do not need to be a resident of Jammu & Kashmir to file an RTI application relating to any department or office of the Union Territory.

Q. Is Jammu & Kashmir Bank covered under the RTI Act?

Ans. Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been treated as a public authority under the RTI Act. RTI applications relating to the bank may be submitted to its designated Public Information Officer. If you are not satisfied with the reply, you can follow the normal First Appeal procedure and, thereafter, approach the Central Information Commission wherever applicable.

Q. How do I file an RTI relating to the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh?

Ans. RTI applications relating to the administrative records of the High Court should be filed through the dedicated RTI portal at jkhc.gov.in/rti/public/. Do not use the J&K RTI Portal for High Court matters. Certified copies of court orders and judgments are issued through the court’s certified copy procedure and not under the RTI Act.

Q. Can I use RTI to resolve my complaint against a government department?

Ans. No. An RTI application is meant only for obtaining information, records or certified copies of documents. If your objective is to get a problem resolved, such as a delay in government services, pending applications or administrative inaction, you should use the J&K CM Samadhan Portal. If required, you may use both RTI and the Samadhan Portal simultaneously-RTI to obtain official records and Samadhan to seek action on your grievance.