The Maharashtra government has notified the RTI Rules, 2026, making it more expensive and cumbersome for citizens to seek information under the Right to Information Act. The new rules, notified last week, introduce sweeping changes affecting application fees, documentation requirements, and the appeals process, drawing sharp criticism from activists who call them restrictive.
Increased Fees Across the Board
The fee for filing an RTI application has been raised from Rs 10 to Rs 30. Charges for photocopies, digital copies, and scanned documents have increased from Rs 2 to Rs 5 per page. First appeals, which previously cost Rs 20, will now attract a fee of Rs 50, while second appeals will cost Rs 100, up from Rs 20.
Single Subject and Word Limit
Citizens will now be allowed to seek information on only one subject per application. Applications are expected to be concise, generally restricted to 150 words. If an application contains multiple subjects, the Public Information Officer (PIO) may process only the first subject and ask the applicant to file separate applications for the rest.
Citizenship Proof Required
Applicants must now submit a self-attested copy of a photo identity document establishing citizenship. Applications without such proof can be returned for compliance. This provision has been criticized as creating unnecessary barriers.
Personal Information and Public Interest
Citizens seeking personal information will need to demonstrate larger public interest. Mere assertion of such interest will not suffice. Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, has altered Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which governs disclosure of personal information held by public authorities, sparking concerns over dilution of transparency. Three separate PIL petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the DPDP Act.
Accountability and Penalties
The rules state that failure by public authorities to proactively disclose information may be treated as dereliction of duty, with responsibility fixed on the office head. However, activists allege that very few penalties have been imposed on errant PIOs in the past five years, fostering impunity.
Activists and Experts React
Jeetendra Ghadge, RTI activist and founder of The Young Whistleblowers Foundation, criticized the changes, saying the government has chosen to make access to information more expensive instead of addressing the backlog of appeals. As of December 2025, the State Information Commission's (SIC) Greater Mumbai bench had 3,722 pending second appeals. Across Maharashtra, nearly 1 lakh second appeals and complaints were pending before SIC and its benches in 2025.
Former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said several provisions appear to dilute the spirit of the RTI Act. He questioned the insistence on proof of citizenship and the higher fees for appeals, noting that citizens should not be charged for exercising their statutory right. He also expressed concern over the provision allowing appeals to be dismissed for non-prosecution if appellants repeatedly fail to appear. Additionally, he noted that information available on a government website will not be given duly attested, meaning it cannot be presented anywhere.
