Public authorities in Karnataka must register physical Right to Information (RTI) applications received by post or in person on the online portal within two days, under a new measure introduced by the state government to improve transparency and accessibility.
The registration of physical applications has been notified as a guaranteed service under the Karnataka Sakala Services Act, 2011. (Representative image)
Bengaluru,Oct 18, 2026 10:51 IST
The Karnataka government has introduced two measures to make the Right to Information (RTI) process more accessible and improve transparency, with the approval of Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Under the first measure, public authorities must register physical RTI applications received by post or in person on the online portal within two days, according to an official statement.
The registration of physical applications has been notified as a guaranteed service under the Karnataka Sakala Services Act, 2011.
The move will ensure applicants receive an online registration number and can track their applications' status. It is also expected to reduce the risk of applications being lost or overlooked.
If an application is not registered within two days, the applicant will be eligible for compensatory relief under the Sakala Act, while the concerned official will be held accountable, the statement said.
In a second measure, the government has extended online RTI filing to all Bengaluru One, Karnataka One and Gram One centres across the state.
The facility aims to help people who lack access to computers or are unfamiliar with using the internet. Applicants can visit their nearest centre and submit applications with staff assistance by paying the prescribed RTI fee and a nominal service charge. They will receive an online acknowledgement at the centre.
Extending the service to Gram One centres at the gram panchayat level will also make online RTI filing more accessible to rural residents.
The two measures will bring physical applications, online submissions and applications filed through service centres onto a common platform, making it easier to monitor compliance with timelines under the RTI Act, 2005.
They will also help identify delays by information officers and provide applicants with a reliable record of their submissions, the statement said.
The measures were announced in a statement by Harsha Gupta, Principal Secretary, Department of Public Services, who urged people to use the online portal or visit their nearest Bengaluru One, Karnataka One or Gram One centre.
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