The Live Nagpur: Nagpur: Saturday, 20 June 2026.
The Maharashtra Government
has notified the Maharashtra Right to Information (RTI) Rules, 2026, bringing
in a series of major changes to the process through which citizens seek
information from public authorities. While the state has described the new rules
as an attempt to improve efficiency and streamline implementation of the Right
to Information Act, 2005, the move has triggered concerns among transparency
campaigners and opposition parties, who argue that the changes could make
accessing information more cumbersome and costly.
Among the most notable provisions is the introduction of a single-subject requirement. RTI applications will generally be restricted to one issue and must not exceed 150 words. Applicants seeking information on multiple subjects will now have to file separate applications, a requirement critics say could increase both procedural burden and expenses.
The revised rules also make it compulsory for applicants to submit a self-attested photo identity document as proof of Indian citizenship while filing an RTI request. Public Information Officers (PIOs) have been empowered to return applications that fail to include the prescribed identity proof.
The fee structure has undergone a substantial revision. The application fee has been increased from Rs 10 to Rs 30, while charges for photocopies, scanned records and digital copies have risen from Rs 2 to Rs 5 per page. Appeal fees have also been enhanced, with first appeals now costing Rs 50 and second appeals Rs 100.
Citizens seeking inspection of records will be allowed one hour of free inspection, after which a fee of Rs 50 per hour will be charged. Additional postal charges will also apply for bulky documents and information packets exceeding specified limits.
Under another provision, information already available on government websites may not be separately certified by Public Information Officers. Applicants may instead be directed to access such information online. Likewise, repeated RTI applications seeking information that has already been supplied earlier may be disposed of by referring applicants to previous responses.
The new rules further widen the scope for withholding personal information. Information that is unrelated to public activity or public interest, or which may constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, can be denied unless the applicant demonstrates a larger public interest. The responsibility for establishing such public interest has been placed on the applicant.
At the same time, the government has strengthened provisions relating to proactive disclosure. Heads of public offices have been made more accountable for ensuring compliance with Section 4 of the RTI Act, which requires public authorities to proactively publish key information. Failure to comply could invite disciplinary action under relevant service rules.
The rules also incorporate digital communication into the RTI mechanism. Notices, replies and information may now be delivered through email and online RTI platforms, while payments can be made through digital modes, including UPI.
In another significant reform, hearings before the State Information Commission can now be conducted either physically or through video conferencing. The commission has also been authorised to dismiss appeals if appellants repeatedly fail to appear for hearings without sufficient justification.
The Maharashtra RTI Rules, 2026, replace the earlier rules governing the state’s RTI framework and are expected to significantly influence how citizens access government information. While the government maintains that the changes promote administrative efficiency and digitisation, critics contend that some of the new requirements could undermine the spirit of the RTI Act by creating additional procedural barriers for information seekers.
Among the most notable provisions is the introduction of a single-subject requirement. RTI applications will generally be restricted to one issue and must not exceed 150 words. Applicants seeking information on multiple subjects will now have to file separate applications, a requirement critics say could increase both procedural burden and expenses.
The revised rules also make it compulsory for applicants to submit a self-attested photo identity document as proof of Indian citizenship while filing an RTI request. Public Information Officers (PIOs) have been empowered to return applications that fail to include the prescribed identity proof.
The fee structure has undergone a substantial revision. The application fee has been increased from Rs 10 to Rs 30, while charges for photocopies, scanned records and digital copies have risen from Rs 2 to Rs 5 per page. Appeal fees have also been enhanced, with first appeals now costing Rs 50 and second appeals Rs 100.
Citizens seeking inspection of records will be allowed one hour of free inspection, after which a fee of Rs 50 per hour will be charged. Additional postal charges will also apply for bulky documents and information packets exceeding specified limits.
Under another provision, information already available on government websites may not be separately certified by Public Information Officers. Applicants may instead be directed to access such information online. Likewise, repeated RTI applications seeking information that has already been supplied earlier may be disposed of by referring applicants to previous responses.
The new rules further widen the scope for withholding personal information. Information that is unrelated to public activity or public interest, or which may constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, can be denied unless the applicant demonstrates a larger public interest. The responsibility for establishing such public interest has been placed on the applicant.
At the same time, the government has strengthened provisions relating to proactive disclosure. Heads of public offices have been made more accountable for ensuring compliance with Section 4 of the RTI Act, which requires public authorities to proactively publish key information. Failure to comply could invite disciplinary action under relevant service rules.
The rules also incorporate digital communication into the RTI mechanism. Notices, replies and information may now be delivered through email and online RTI platforms, while payments can be made through digital modes, including UPI.
In another significant reform, hearings before the State Information Commission can now be conducted either physically or through video conferencing. The commission has also been authorised to dismiss appeals if appellants repeatedly fail to appear for hearings without sufficient justification.
The Maharashtra RTI Rules, 2026, replace the earlier rules governing the state’s RTI framework and are expected to significantly influence how citizens access government information. While the government maintains that the changes promote administrative efficiency and digitisation, critics contend that some of the new requirements could undermine the spirit of the RTI Act by creating additional procedural barriers for information seekers.
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