Uttarakhand RTI: How to File RTI Online, Offline and Appeal

The Right to Information Act, 2005, gives every citizen of India the right to seek information from any public authority in Uttarakhand. The state government provides a dedicated online portal at rtionline.uk.gov.in for filing RTI applications and First Appeals. Offline filing by post, in person, or through an SAPIO (State Assistant Public Information Officer) is equally valid. The portal is called the Online RTI Information Systems, Government of Uttarakhand. It was developed by NIC Uttarakhand and covers all departments and public authorities of the Government of Uttarakhand.

The fee and cost rules governing Uttarakhand RTIs are the Uttarakhand Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2013 – a revised version of the original 2006 Rules. The 2013 revision, which followed intervention by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), removed several regressive provisions and added progressive measures clarifying how the RTI Act is implemented in Uttarakhand. The full text of the UK RTI Rules, 2013 is linked directly on the rtionline.uk.gov.in portal.

Second appeals and complaints against non-disclosure go to the Uttarakhand Information Commission (UIC), also called Uttarakhand Soochna Aayog, at uic.uk.gov.in, RTI Bhawan, Mussoorie Bypass Ring Road, Ladpur, Dehradun 248008. The current Chief State Information Commissioner is Radha Raturi.

For the national RTI parent guide covering all states and UTs, read our RTI Online India Guide.

Central Government vs Uttarakhand State RTI: Decide Before Filing

Uttarakhand’s RTI portal is for state government public authorities only. Filing a state government RTI on rtionline.uk.gov.in for a central government body or filing a central government RTI on rtionline.gov.in for a state body will result in the application being returned without any refund of fee.

File on rtionline.uk.gov.in for information from Uttarakhand state departments, including:

• Revenue Department – land records, mutation, khatauni, khasra, nakal
• Uttarakhand Police (DGP, SSP, SP, SHO level)
• Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) – electricity billing, connections, meter
• Jal Sansthan / Jal Nigam – water supply, sewage
• State PWD – roads, bridges, buildings
• School Education Department and Directorate of Education, UK
• State pension schemes – Old Age Pension, Widow Pension, Disability Pension
• Forest Department, CAMPA, Forest Research Institute (state matters)
• GMVN, Char Dham roads and infrastructure (state-administered)
• Urban Development and local bodies (Nagar Palika, Nagar Panchayat)
• Gram Panchayat – MGNREGS, PM Awas Yojana
• District Magistrate’s office, SDM office, Tehsil – revenue records and certificates
• Uttarakhand Medical Education and Health Department
• Any other department that comes under the purview of or is run by receiving aid from the Uttarakhand State Government.

High Court Nainital: The Uttarakhand High Court has its own RTI mechanism and is not covered by the state RTI portal. Do not file RTIs about the High Court on rtionline.uk.gov.in – they will be returned without a fee refund. Contact the High Court Nainital administration directly for High Court RTIs.

RTI Fee in Uttarakhand

As per the Uttarakhand RTI Rules, 2013:

• Application Fee: Rs 10
• Additional Copies: Rs 2 per page (A4 or A3 size)
• Inspection of Records: Free for the first hour. For additional time, charges apply as prescribed.
• Information on a disc or a floppy: Rs 50 per disc or floppy
• First Appeal: No fee
• Second Appeal to UIC: No fee

BPL Exemption: No RTI fee is required from any citizen who is below the poverty line (BPL) as per the RTI Act, 2005. Attach a self-attested copy of the BPL certificate issued by the appropriate government authority with your application. The information must also be supplied free of cost, including photocopies.

Payment Modes in Uttarakhand RTI

Online payment (rtionline.uk.gov.in):

• Net Banking
• NEFT
• RTGS
• e-Challan (e-Challan Check payable at any SBI branch, or Cash at any SBI branch)

Offline payment (physical filing):

• Cash against a proper receipt from the PIO’s office
• Indian Postal Order (IPO)
• Demand Draft (DD)
• Banker’s Cheque
• Pay Order
• Court Fee Stamp

All payments – whether online or offline – are payable to the PIO or the officer appointed by the Government of Uttarakhand to collect RTI fees. For DD, Banker’s Cheque, or Pay Order, they must be drawn in favour of the PIO of the specific department.

Finding the Right SPIO for Your RTI

Every department, directorate, district office, and public authority in Uttarakhand has a designated State Public Information Officer (SPIO) and a State Assistant Public Information Officer (SAPIO).

To find your SPIO:

Step 1: Go to rtionline.uk.gov.in and click “List of Departments/Public Authorities” to see all departments and bodies registered on the portal.

Step 2: Visit the specific department’s website. Every Uttarakhand government department website displays its RTI cell, SPIO designation, and address. Example: for UPCL, go to upcl.org and look for the RTI section; for the Revenue Department, go to revenue.uk.gov.in.

Step 3: Check uk.gov.in/departments for the list of all Uttarakhand government departments with their official URLs.

Important note for Divisional/ District Level Offices: As stated on the portal, if the information you seek is from a divisional or district-level office, select the related Headquarters or Directorate from the list of Public Authorities. Do not select the concerned Commissioner or District office for this purpose, as it may delay or misdirect your application.

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

• Step 1: Go to rtionline.uk.gov.in/index.php?lan=E. Select English from the language dropdown at the top. The portal is available in Hindi and English.
• Step 2: Click “Submit Request” from the navigation menu. The guidelines page opens. Read the instructions carefully, especially:
  • Do not file for the central government or other state government bodies
  • Do not file for the Uttarakhand High Court (Nainital)
  • For divisional/district level matters, select the Headquarter/Directorate – not the district office

  After reading, click to proceed to the form.

• Step 3: The RTI application form opens. Fill in the mandatory fields (marked with an asterisk):
  • Select the Public Authority (department) from the dropdown
  • Enter your Name
  • Enter your complete Address
  • Enter your Mobile Number (for SMS alerts)
  • Enter your Email ID
• Step 4: Write your RTI application in the text box provided. The portal accepts up to 500 words (excluding name, address, and other personal details). Write in clear, specific, numbered points. You can write in Hindi or English. Do not ask “Why” questions or seek opinions – ask for documents, records, data, or certified copies.
• Step 5: Upload any supporting documents if needed for reference. Select whether you are a BPL applicant. BPL applicants must upload the BPL certificate.
• Step 6: Click “Make Payment” for non-BPL applicants. Choose your payment mode from Net Banking, NEFT, RTGS, or e-Challan (SBI). Complete the payment of Rs 10.
• Step 7: After successful payment, your application is submitted. A unique Registration Number is generated. Note it immediately – it is sent by email and SMS. This number is used for tracking status and filing the First Appeal online.
• Step 8: Track your application status at any time by clicking “View Status” on rtionline.uk.gov.in and entering your Registration Number.

Portal Helpdesk: For technical queries about the Online RTI, call +91-135-2662021 between 10 AM and 5 PM on working days, or email rtionline-helpdesk@uk.gov.in.

Filing RTI by Post: Step-by-Step

• Step 1: Write your RTI application on plain paper (A4 size). Address it as follows:To,
  The State Public Information Officer (SPIO),
  O/o [Name of Department or Office],
  [Complete Postal Address of the Office],
  Uttarakhand – [PIN Code]
• Step 2: At the top of the application, write:”Under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Section 6(1)), I wish to seek the following information:”
• Step 3: Write your questions in numbered format. Be specific. Examples of well-framed questions:
  • “Please provide a certified copy of the work order, contractor name, contract amount, and completion status of road construction on [route name] in [district] sanctioned under PWD during 2025-2026.”
• Step 4: At the end of the application, write:”I hereby declare that I am a citizen of India.”
• Step 5: Sign the application and add the date and your town name.
• Step 6: Attach the Rs 10 fee by one of the following:
  • Indian Postal Order (IPO) – addressed to the PIO of the concerned department
  • Demand Draft (DD) – in favour of the PIO of the concerned department, drawn on a local bank
  • Banker’s Cheque or Pay Order – in favour of the PIO
  • Court Fee Stamp of Rs 10 – affixed on the application
  • Cash – if submitting in person, pay cash against a proper receipt at the PIO’s office
• Step 7: Keep a photocopy or scanned copy of the complete application with attached fee instrument before posting.
• Step 8: Send the application by Speed Post with Acknowledgement Due (AD) to the SPIO’s address. Keep the Speed Post receipt and the returned AD card safely – these are your proof of the date of filing and are important if you need to file a First Appeal later.

Filing RTI In Person

Citizens can also file RTI applications by visiting the SPIO or SAPIO office in person:

• Step 1: Carry the written RTI application (as described in the postal filing section above), two copies of the application, and the prescribed fee in cash.
• Step 2: Submit the application to the SPIO’s office. Pay the Rs 10 application fee in cash and obtain a proper receipt for the payment.
• Step 3: Request a date-stamped acknowledgement on your copy of the application. The office should acknowledge receipt of the application. Keep this acknowledgement carefully as proof of submission.
• SAPIO Route: You may also submit the application to a State Assistant Public Information Officer (SAPIO). The SAPIO forwards the application to the appropriate SPIO. The statutory 30-day response period is counted from the date the SPIO receives the application from the SAPIO, not from the date it was submitted to the SAPIO.

Filing First Appeal at rtionline.uk.gov.in

The Uttarakhand RTI portal allows online filing of First Appeals too. To file a First Appeal online:

• Step 1: Go to rtionline.uk.gov.in and click “Submit First Appeal” from the navigation menu.
• Step 2: Enter your original RTI Registration Number. The system retrieves your application details automatically.
• Step 3: Fill in the First Appeal form explaining why the SPIO’s response was unsatisfactory or that no response was received. No fee is payable for the First Appeal.
• Step 4: Submit the appeal. A unique First Appeal Registration Number is generated. Save it carefully as it is required for tracking the appeal status and future correspondence.
• Step 5: Track the status of your First Appeal using the “View Status” option available on the portal.

Response Timeline After Filing

• 30 days: The SPIO must provide information or reject with written reasons within 30 days of receiving the application.
• 48 hours: For information relating to a person’s life or physical safety, the SPIO must reply within 48 hours.
• 35 days: If the SPIO needs to consult a third party (outside the department) before disclosing information, the time limit extends to 35 days.
• 45 days: If the SPIO has sought assistance from other officials within the department, the time limit may be extended to 45 days, with written reasons communicated to the applicant.
• 5-day transfer: If the information is held by a different public authority, the SPIO must transfer your application to the correct SPIO within 5 days under Section 6(3). In that case, the 30-day timeline runs from the date the transferred application is received by the new SPIO.
• Additional fee intimation: If an additional fee is required for providing copies, the SPIO will inform you in writing. For online filers, this is visible on the View Status page. Time spent waiting for you to pay the additional fee is excluded from the 30 days.

Vigilance Department: A Specific Exemption in Uttarakhand

The Uttarakhand Information Commission has notified the Vigilance Department, Government of Uttarakhand, as an Intelligence Organisation under Section 24 of the RTI Act, 2005. This means the Vigilance Department is exempt from the obligations of the RTI Act, and information about vigilance files, vigilance investigation records, and related matters cannot be sought through RTI. This notification is listed on the UIC website at uic.uk.gov.in. However, even for the Vigilance Department, information about corruption allegations and human rights violations must be disclosed on a complaint to the UIC under Section 24(1) proviso.

First Appeal Under Section 19(1)

If the SPIO does not reply within 30 days, or the reply is incomplete, incorrect, or unsatisfactory, file a First Appeal to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) – an officer senior in rank to the SPIO within the same department or public authority.

Timeline: File within 30 days of the 30-day deadline passing or within 30 days of receiving the unsatisfactory reply. The FAA can admit a delayed First Appeal if sufficient cause is shown.

FAA Response time: The First Appellate Authority must dispose of the appeal within 30 days of receipt, extendable to 45 days with reasons recorded in writing.

Online: File First Appeal online at rtionline.uk.gov.in using the “Submit First Appeal” option with your original Registration Number. No fee.

Offline: Write a First Appeal letter to the FAA of the same department. Include the original RTI application, the reply received (or note that no reply was received), and explain specifically why the response is inadequate. Send by Speed Post AD. No fee required.

Second Appeal to the Uttarakhand Information Commission

If the FAA does not respond or the First Appeal is unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal with the Uttarakhand Information Commission (UIC) within 90 days of the date of the FAA’s decision or of the expiry of the FAA’s response timeline.

• Step 1: Visit rtionline.uk.gov.in and click “Submit Second Appeal” from the navigation menu.
• Step 2: Enter the details of your original RTI application and First Appeal. The system may retrieve the application details automatically based on the Registration Number.
• Step 3: Upload the required documents:
  • Copy of the original RTI application with fee payment proof
  • Copy of the SPIO’s reply (if received) or proof that no reply was received
  • Copy of the First Appeal filed before the FAA
  • Copy of the FAA’s order (if received) or proof that no decision was received
  • Statement of facts and grounds of Second Appeal
• Step 4: Verify the information entered, provide your contact details, and submit the appeal online.
• Step 5: A unique Second Appeal Registration Number is generated. Save it carefully as it will be required for tracking the appeal status and future correspondence.

No fee is required for filing a Second Appeal before the Uttarakhand Information Commission.

Uttarakhand Information Commission Contact Details

Particular	Details
Website	uic.uk.gov.in
Phone	0135-2662021 / 0135-2662180
Mobile	+91-9410700312
Email	secy-uic@gov.in
Chief State Information Commissioner	Radha Raturi
State Information Commissioners	Shri Daleep Singh Kunwar, Shri Kushla Nand

Hearing Notices by Email and SMS: The Uttarakhand Information Commission sends hearing notices, hearing dates, interim orders, and final orders through email and SMS. Provide your email address and mobile number while filing the appeal so that you can receive all updates directly.

Penalty Under Section 20 and E-Challan Payment

If the UIC finds that the SPIO refused to receive the RTI application, failed to reply within time, provided false or misleading information, or obstructed the supply of information without reasonable cause, the UIC can impose a penalty of Rs 250 for each day of delay, subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000. The penalty is deducted from the personal salary of the SPIO.

The UIC has introduced an E-Challan payment procedure for depositing penalties imposed under Section 20(1). Details of how to deposit the penalty via e-Challan are published on uic.uk.gov.in. SPIOs against whom a penalty order has been passed must use this e-Challan route to deposit the amount.

Complaint Under Section 18

Apart from the Second Appeal route, you can also file a direct complaint with the UIC under Section 18 in specific situations:

• The SPIO refused to accept your RTI application
• The SPIO demanded a fee other than what is prescribed in the UK RTI Rules 2013
• The SPIO denied you access to information within the prescribed time
• The SPIO provided false, incomplete, or misleading information
• The SPIO destroyed information before your application was processed
• The SPIO obstructed you from accessing information in any other way

Send the Section 18 complaint by post to the UIC address above. Include specific facts, the nature of the obstruction, and copies of any correspondence.

Tips for Filing RTI in Uttarakhand

• Hill district delivery delays: Applications sent to offices in Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Bageshwar may take more time to reach due to geographic remoteness. Use Speed Post AD and keep the tracking number. Count the 30 days from the date of SPIO receipt (shown on the AD card), not the date of posting.
• Divisional/District offices on the portal: The portal specifically warns – for divisional or district-level information, select the headquarters or directorate, not the district office. For example, for information about a Tehsil Land Records office in Haridwar, select the Revenue Department Headquarters or Directorate, not Haridwar District.
• Char Dham and GMVN RTIs: For information about Char Dham Yatra road construction, pilgrim capacity, GMVN facilities, or tourism infrastructure, select the Tourism Department or PWD on the portal depending on the nature of the query.
• Forest and land rights RTIs: For community forest rights (CFR) or individual forest rights (IFR) under the Forest Rights Act, the implementing department is the Social Welfare/Tribal Welfare Department alongside the Forest Department. File separately to each if records are held by both.
• UPCL and Jal Sansthan: Both are state public sector undertakings listed on the Uttarakhand RTI portal. Select the correct entity when filing online.
• Police RTIs: Address to the SPIO of the concerned police office (DGP level, Range IG, SSP, SP). Do not address to the SHO directly – the SHO is not designated as a SPIO. Address the nearest senior designated PIO and let the transfer happen under Section 6(3).

Common RTI Mistakes to Avoid in Uttarakhand

• Filing a Central Government RTI on the Uttarakhand RTI portal.
• Selecting a district office instead of the designated Directorate or Headquarters on the portal.
• Asking questions, opinions or explanations instead of seeking records.
• Not keeping proof of fee payment and Speed Post receipt.
• Missing the 30-day and 90-day appeal deadlines.

Quick Reference

Service	Details
Uttarakhand RTI Portal	rtionline.uk.gov.in
Submit RTI Request	File Online RTI
View RTI Status	Check Status
UK RTI Rules, 2013	Available for download on the RTI Portal
Portal Helpdesk Phone	+91-135-2662021
Portal Helpdesk Email	rtionline-helpdesk@uk.gov.in
Uttarakhand Information Commission	uic.uk.gov.in
UIC Phone	0135-2662021 / 0135-2662180 / +91-9410700312
UIC Email	secy-uic@gov.in
UIC Address	RTI Bhawan, Mussoorie Bypass Ring Road, Ladpur, Dehradun – 248008
Chief State Information Commissioner	Radha Raturi
Uttarakhand Government Departments	View Department Directory
Central RTI Portal	rtionline.gov.in
RTI Application Fee	Rs 10
Copying Charges	Rs 2 per page (A4/A3)
Offline Payment Modes	IPO, DD, Banker’s Cheque, Pay Order, Cash, Court Fee Stamp
Online Payment Modes	Net Banking, NEFT, RTGS, e-Challan (SBI)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the Uttarakhand RTI Rules and what year do they apply from?
Ans. The governing rules are the Uttarakhand Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2013, revised from the original 2006 Rules after intervention by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. The 2013 revision removed regressive provisions and clarified the manner of implementation of the RTI Act in Uttarakhand. The full text is linked on the official portal at rtionline.uk.gov.in. These rules set the fee at Rs 10, prescribe accepted payment modes, and govern the cost of providing information.

Q. What is the text limit for an RTI application on the Uttarakhand portal?
Ans. The Uttarakhand RTI portal at rtionline.uk.gov.in accepts up to 500 words in the application text box (excluding personal details like name and address). This is different from the central portal at rtionline.gov.in, which has a 3,000-character limit. If your RTI requires more than 500 words, write a summary in the text box and upload the complete application as a PDF attachment in the supporting documents column.

Q. What payment modes does the Uttarakhand RTI portal accept online?
Ans. The rtionline.uk.gov.in portal accepts four online payment modes: Net Banking, NEFT, RTGS, and e-Challan. The e-Challan option allows payment by cheque or cash at any SBI branch. For physical or postal RTIs, payment can be made by Cash (against receipt), Indian Postal Order (IPO), Demand Draft (DD), Banker’s Cheque, Pay Order, or Court Fee Stamp of Rs 10.

Q. Why should I select the Headquarters/ Directorate and not the District office for district-level matters?
Ans. The Uttarakhand RTI portal explicitly states – if the information you seek is from a divisional or district-level office, select the related Headquarter or Directorate from the list of Public Authorities. Do not select the concerned Commissioner or District office. This is because the SPIO designation for forwarding and accountability purposes is at the headquarters/ directorate level. Selecting the district office may cause the application to not reach the correct SPIO registered on the portal.

Q. Is the Uttarakhand High Court covered by the state RTI portal?
Ans. No. The Uttarakhand High Court, Nainital, is not covered by rtionline.uk.gov.in. The portal specifically states that RTI applications about the High Court Nainital will be returned without a fee refund. The High Court has its own RTI mechanism. Contact the Registrar (Administration), Uttarakhand High Court, Nainital, directly for High Court-related RTI applications.

Q. What is the Vigilance Department’s exemption from RTI in Uttarakhand?
Ans. The Uttarakhand Vigilance Department has been officially declared an Intelligence Organisation under Section 24 of the RTI Act, 2005. This exempts it from the RTI disclosure obligations. A notification to this effect is on the UIC website. However, under the proviso to Section 24(1), information about allegations of corruption and human rights violations by the Vigilance Department cannot be withheld even from this exemption – you can file a complaint to the UIC if this information is denied.

Q. When does the 30-day RTI response timeline start?
Ans. The 30-day timeline starts from the date the SPIO receives the application – not the date of posting. For postal filings, the AD card (returned by Speed Post) shows the date the SPIO received the letter. This date is the start of the 30-day clock. For online filings on rtionline.uk.gov.in, the clock starts from the date the application is electronically received by the SPIO or Nodal Officer. Keep your Speed Post receipt and AD card for offline filings – they are essential evidence if the SPIO denies receiving the application.

Q. How do I file a Second Appeal with the Uttarakhand Information Commission?
Ans. You can file a Second Appeal online through rtionline.uk.gov.in or through the Uttarakhand Information Commission.

Q. Can I file an RTI about UPCL electricity billing through the state portal?
Ans. Yes. Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) is a state public sector undertaking listed on rtionline.uk.gov.in. Select UPCL from the list of Public Authorities when filing your RTI application online. Similarly, Jal Sansthan, Jal Nigam, GMVN, and other state PSUs are accessible through the state portal.