Author: Lexfolio Team

आरटीआई आवेदन कैसे करें: प्रारूप, शुल्क और अपील

अंतिम अद्यतन: 18 अक्टूबर 2026 (Last updated: 18 October 2026)

संक्षिप्त उत्तर: भारत का कोई भी नागरिक सूचना का अधिकार अधिनियम, 2005 के अंतर्गत किसी भी लोक प्राधिकरण से सूचना माँग सकता है। आवेदन सादे कागज़ पर लोक सूचना अधिकारी (PIO) को संबोधित करके डाक से भेजा जा सकता है या केंद्र सरकार के कार्यालयों के लिए rtionline.gov.in पर ऑनलाइन किया जा सकता है। केंद्र और उत्तर प्रदेश, दोनों में आवेदन शुल्क ₹10 है, और गरीबी रेखा से नीचे (बीपीएल) के आवेदक को प्रमाणपत्र संलग्न करने पर कोई शुल्क नहीं देना होता। लोक सूचना अधिकारी को 30 दिन में उत्तर देना होता है। उत्तर न मिलने या असंतोषजनक होने पर 30 दिन में प्रथम अपील और उसके बाद 90 दिन में सूचना आयोग के समक्ष द्वितीय अपील की जा सकती है।

कौन आवेदन कर सकता है और क्या माँगा जा सकता है

भारत का प्रत्येक नागरिक आवेदन कर सकता है। धारा 6(2) के अनुसार आवेदक को सूचना माँगने का कारण बताना आवश्यक नहीं है, और केवल वही विवरण देना होता है जो उससे संपर्क करने के लिए आवश्यक हो।

धारा 2(च) के अनुसार “सूचना” में किसी लोक प्राधिकरण के पास उपलब्ध अभिलेख, दस्तावेज़, फ़ाइल टिप्पणियाँ, ई-मेल, राय, सलाह, परिपत्र, आदेश, लॉगबुक, संविदाएँ, रिपोर्ट, नमूने और इलेक्ट्रॉनिक रूप में रखी गई सामग्री शामिल है। आप अभिलेखों का निरीक्षण भी कर सकते हैं और प्रमाणित प्रतियाँ भी ले सकते हैं।

ध्यान रखें कि लोक सूचना अधिकारी से ऐसी सूचना नहीं माँगी जा सकती जो अभिलेख में है ही नहीं, और न ही उनसे “क्यों” वाले प्रश्नों पर राय या कानून की व्याख्या माँगी जा सकती है। प्रश्न को अभिलेख की प्रति माँगने के रूप में लिखें।

आवेदन कैसे करें: डाक या हाथ से

सही लोक सूचना अधिकारी चुनें। प्रत्येक लोक प्राधिकरण को लोक सूचना अधिकारी नामित करना होता है (धारा 5)। नाम प्रायः कार्यालय की वेबसाइट या सूचना पट्ट पर होता है। नाम न मिले तो “लोक सूचना अधिकारी, [कार्यालय का नाम]” लिखें।
आवेदन लिखें। सादा कागज़ पर्याप्त है। हिंदी, अंग्रेज़ी या क्षेत्र की राजभाषा में आवेदन किया जा सकता है (धारा 6(1))।
शुल्क जमा करें। ₹10 का भारतीय पोस्टल ऑर्डर, डिमांड ड्राफ्ट या बैंकर्स चेक संलग्न करें, या कार्यालय में नकद जमा करके रसीद लें। उत्तर प्रदेश में भुगतान संबंधित लोक प्राधिकरण के पक्ष में किया जाता है।
भेजें। स्पीड पोस्ट से भेजें और डिलीवरी का प्रमाण रखें, या कार्यालय में देकर दिनांकित पावती लें। उप-मंडल स्तर पर सहायक लोक सूचना अधिकारी को भी आवेदन दिया जा सकता है; ऐसे में उत्तर की अवधि में 5 दिन जुड़ जाते हैं (धारा 5(2))।
पूरी प्रति रखें, जिसमें पोस्टल ऑर्डर संख्या और डाक रसीद हो।

ऑनलाइन आवेदन

केंद्र सरकार के कार्यालय: rtionline.gov.in पर “Submit Request” चुनें, मंत्रालय या विभाग चुनें, अपना नाम, पता, मोबाइल और ई-मेल भरें, प्रश्न लिखें (लंबा आवेदन हो तो पीडीएफ़ के रूप में अपलोड करें) और ₹10 का भुगतान इंटरनेट बैंकिंग, डेबिट या क्रेडिट कार्ड, रुपे कार्ड या यूपीआई से करें। भुगतान के बाद मिली पंजीकरण संख्या सँभाल कर रखें। यह पोर्टल राज्य सरकार के कार्यालयों के लिए नहीं है; ऐसा आवेदन शुल्क लौटाए बिना वापस कर दिया जाता है।

उत्तर प्रदेश के कार्यालय: राज्य के विभागों के लिए उत्तर प्रदेश का अपना आरटीआई पोर्टल rtionline.up.gov.in है। जो कार्यालय पोर्टल पर न हो, उसके लिए डाक से आवेदन करें।

शुल्क: केंद्र और उत्तर प्रदेश

मद	केंद्र (सूचना का अधिकार नियम, 2012)	उत्तर प्रदेश (सूचना का अधिकार नियमावली, 2015)
आवेदन शुल्क	₹10	₹10
प्रतियाँ (A4 या A3)	₹2 प्रति पृष्ठ	राज्य नियमों के अनुसार
अभिलेखों का निरीक्षण	पहला घंटा निःशुल्क, उसके बाद ₹5 प्रति घंटा	पहले घंटे के लिए ₹10, उसके बाद प्रत्येक 15 मिनट के लिए ₹5
बीपीएल आवेदक	बीपीएल प्रमाणपत्र संलग्न करने पर कोई शुल्क नहीं	बीपीएल प्रमाणपत्र संलग्न करने पर कोई शुल्क नहीं

यदि प्रतियों के लिए अतिरिक्त शुल्क देय हो, तो लोक सूचना अधिकारी को गणना सहित लिखित सूचना देनी होती है, और उस सूचना से भुगतान तक का समय 30 दिन में नहीं गिना जाता (धारा 7(3))। समय सीमा बीत जाने पर सूचना निःशुल्क देनी होती है (धारा 7(6))। अन्य राज्यों के नियम अलग हो सकते हैं।

समय सीमाएँ

चरण	समय सीमा	धारा
लोक सूचना अधिकारी का उत्तर	आवेदन प्राप्ति से 30 दिन	धारा 7(1)
किसी व्यक्ति के जीवन या स्वतंत्रता से संबंधित सूचना	48 घंटे	धारा 7(1) का परंतुक
सहायक लोक सूचना अधिकारी के माध्यम से आवेदन	5 दिन अतिरिक्त	धारा 5(2)
सही लोक प्राधिकरण को अंतरण	5 दिन के भीतर	धारा 6(3)
तृतीय पक्ष से संबंधित सूचना	40 दिन	धारा 11
प्रथम अपील	उत्तर मिलने या उत्तर की नियत तिथि से 30 दिन	धारा 19(1)
द्वितीय अपील	प्रथम अपील के निर्णय या उसकी नियत तिथि से 90 दिन	धारा 19(3)

आवेदन का निःशुल्क नमूना

सेवा में,
लोक सूचना अधिकारी,
[कार्यालय का नाम],
[पता]

विषय: सूचना का अधिकार अधिनियम, 2005 की धारा 6(1) के अंतर्गत आवेदन

1. आवेदक का नाम: [पूरा नाम]
2. पत्राचार का पता: [पिन कोड सहित पूरा पता]
3. मोबाइल और ई-मेल: [ ]

4. वांछित सूचना (अवधि [दिनांक] से [दिनांक] तक):
(क) मेरे आवेदन संख्या [ ] दिनांक [ ] से संबंधित फ़ाइल टिप्पणियों और पत्राचार की प्रमाणित प्रति।
(ख) उक्त आवेदन की वर्तमान स्थिति तथा उस अधिकारी का नाम और पदनाम जिसके पास वह लंबित है।
(ग) ऐसे आवेदनों के निस्तारण की समय सीमा निर्धारित करने वाले नियम, परिपत्र या आदेश की प्रति।

5. मैं भारत का नागरिक हूँ। मैंने ₹10 का शुल्क [भारतीय पोस्टल ऑर्डर संख्या [ ] दिनांक [ ] / डिमांड ड्राफ्ट / नकद रसीद संख्या [ ]] द्वारा जमा किया है। प्रतियों के लिए अतिरिक्त शुल्क सूचित किए जाने पर देने को तैयार हूँ।

[यदि लागू हो: मैं गरीबी रेखा से नीचे की श्रेणी में आता/आती हूँ। बीपीएल प्रमाणपत्र की प्रति संलग्न है, अतः कोई शुल्क देय नहीं है।]

स्थान: [ ]
दिनांक: [ ]
हस्ताक्षर: [ ]

पूरा, संपादन योग्य सेट चाहिए? Lexfolio की RTI Application and Appeals Kit में आवेदन, प्रथम अपील, द्वितीय अपील और धारा 18 की शिकायत के हिंदी और अंग्रेज़ी प्रारूप, सामान्य परिस्थितियों के लिए तैयार प्रश्न, और शुल्क, समय सीमा तथा छूट पर सरल भाषा में मार्गदर्शिका दी गई है।

प्रश्न ऐसे लिखें कि उत्तर मिले

“क्यों” पूछने के बजाय दस्तावेज़ की प्रति माँगें, जैसे “निरीक्षण रिपोर्ट की प्रमाणित प्रति”।
निश्चित अवधि और संदर्भ संख्या लिखें।
एक आवेदन में एक ही विषय रखें और बिंदुओं को क्रमांकित करें।
लंबित शिकायत के मामले में दैनिक प्रगति, संबंधित अधिकारी का नाम और निर्धारित समय सीमा का नियम माँगें।
फ़ाइल बड़ी हो तो पहले निरीक्षण माँगें, फिर चिह्नित पृष्ठों की प्रतियाँ लें।

किन आधारों पर सूचना देने से मना किया जा सकता है

धारा 8 में छूट के आधार दिए गए हैं, जैसे राष्ट्र की सुरक्षा, वाणिज्यिक गोपनीयता, वैश्वासिक संबंध में प्राप्त सूचना, अन्वेषण में बाधा डालने वाली सूचना और निर्णय से पहले के मंत्रिमंडल के कागज़ात। धारा 24 के अंतर्गत सूचीबद्ध सुरक्षा और आसूचना संगठन अधिनियम से बाहर हैं, किंतु भ्रष्टाचार और मानवाधिकार उल्लंघन से संबंधित सूचना उनसे भी माँगी जा सकती है।

व्यक्तिगत सूचना पर महत्वपूर्ण परिवर्तन: डिजिटल व्यक्तिगत डेटा संरक्षण अधिनियम, 2023 की धारा 44(3) ने 13 नवंबर 2025 से धारा 8(1)(ञ) को बदल दिया है। अब यह खंड केवल “व्यक्तिगत सूचना से संबंधित सूचना” को छूट देता है, और पहले वाला लोकहित का परीक्षण इसमें नहीं रहा। इसलिए किसी अन्य व्यक्ति के सेवा अभिलेख, संपत्ति या आयकर विवरणी जैसी सूचना मिलने की संभावना कम हो गई है। इस संशोधन को उच्चतम न्यायालय में चुनौती दी गई है (Venkatesh Nayak v. Union of India, W.P. (C) No. 177 of 2026 तथा संबद्ध याचिकाएँ)। 16 फ़रवरी 2026 को न्यायालय ने मामला बड़ी पीठ को सौंप दिया, पर संशोधन पर रोक नहीं लगाई। अपनी स्वयं की व्यक्तिगत सूचना आप अपने नाम से माँग सकते हैं।

उत्तर न मिले या असंतोषजनक हो तो

प्रथम अपील

प्रथम अपील उसी लोक प्राधिकरण में लोक सूचना अधिकारी से वरिष्ठ अधिकारी, अर्थात प्रथम अपीलीय अधिकारी, के समक्ष उत्तर मिलने या उत्तर की नियत तिथि से 30 दिन के भीतर की जाती है। केंद्र के नियमों और उत्तर प्रदेश की नियमावली में प्रथम अपील के लिए कोई शुल्क निर्धारित नहीं है। सामान्य आधार हैं: समय पर उत्तर न मिलना, अधूरा या भ्रामक उत्तर, छूट का गलत प्रयोग, या अत्यधिक शुल्क की माँग।

द्वितीय अपील और शिकायत

प्रथम अपील का निर्णय न होने या उससे असंतुष्ट होने पर केंद्रीय लोक प्राधिकरण के मामले में केंद्रीय सूचना आयोग और राज्य के मामले में राज्य सूचना आयोग (उत्तर प्रदेश में उत्तर प्रदेश राज्य सूचना आयोग) के समक्ष 90 दिन के भीतर द्वितीय अपील करें। आवेदन, उत्तर, प्रथम अपील और अपीलीय आदेश की प्रतियाँ सूची सहित संलग्न करें। उत्तर प्रदेश में द्वितीय अपील तीन प्रतियों में, सत्यापित प्रतियों और इस प्रमाणपत्र के साथ दी जाती है कि उसी आधार पर पहले कोई अपील नहीं की गई है।

धारा 18 के अंतर्गत शिकायत करने पर आयोग लोक सूचना अधिकारी पर विलंब के प्रत्येक दिन के लिए ₹250, अधिकतम ₹25,000, का दंड लगा सकता है (धारा 20)। सूचना पाने का रास्ता द्वितीय अपील है; दंड के लिए शिकायत की जाती है।

अपील की तैयारी कर रहे हैं? RTI Application and Appeals Kit में अपील के तैयार आधार, द्वितीय अपील के दस्तावेज़ों की सूची और शिकायत का प्रारूप हिंदी और अंग्रेज़ी दोनों में है।

अंग्रेज़ी में विस्तृत जानकारी के लिए देखें: How to file an RTI application online and offline। अपील या शिकायत के साथ शपथपत्र लगाना हो तो हमारी मार्गदर्शिका शपथ पत्र का प्रारूप और नोटरी प्रक्रिया देखें।

सामान्य गलतियाँ

राज्य के कार्यालय के लिए केंद्रीय पोर्टल पर आवेदन करके शुल्क गँवा देना।
अभिलेख की जगह “क्यों” वाले प्रश्न पूछना।
एक ही आवेदन में कई असंबंधित विषय जोड़ देना।
शुल्क और डाक का प्रमाण न रखना।
प्रथम अपील की 30 दिन की अवधि चूक जाना।

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न

क्या आरटीआई आवेदन हिंदी में किया जा सकता है?

हाँ। धारा 6(1) के अनुसार आवेदन हिंदी, अंग्रेज़ी या उस क्षेत्र की राजभाषा में किया जा सकता है।

30 दिन में उत्तर न मिले तो क्या करें?

धारा 7(2) के अनुसार इसे सूचना देने से इनकार माना जाता है। प्रथम अपील करें; बाद में सूचना निःशुल्क देनी होगी।

क्या सूचना माँगने का कारण बताना ज़रूरी है?

नहीं। धारा 6(2) के अनुसार कोई कारण बताना आवश्यक नहीं है।

उत्तर प्रदेश में आरटीआई शुल्क कितना है?

उत्तर प्रदेश सूचना का अधिकार नियमावली, 2015 के अनुसार आवेदन शुल्क ₹10 है। बीपीएल आवेदक को प्रमाणपत्र संलग्न करने पर शुल्क नहीं देना होता।

क्या किसी दूसरे व्यक्ति के वेतन या संपत्ति की जानकारी मिल सकती है?

धारा 8(1)(ञ) में संशोधन के बाद ऐसी व्यक्तिगत सूचना देने से मना किए जाने की संभावना अधिक है। उच्चतम न्यायालय इस संशोधन की जाँच कर रहा है, पर इस पर रोक नहीं है।

प्रथम अपील के लिए कोई शुल्क है?

केंद्र के नियमों और उत्तर प्रदेश की नियमावली में कोई शुल्क निर्धारित नहीं है। अन्य राज्यों के नियम देख लें।

*यह लेख सामान्य जानकारी है, विधिक परामर्श नहीं (general information, not legal advice).*

Get one law MCQ a day, free, on Telegram

A daily question for CLAT, AIBE, NET and judiciary with the answer, plus alerts when exam dates, admit cards and new free mocks are released. No spam.

Join @lexfolio_in on Telegram

18 October 2026

How to File RTI Application Online and Offline (2026)

Last updated: 18 October 2026

Short answer: Any Indian citizen can ask a public authority for information under the Right to Information Act, 2005. For Central Government offices, file online at rtionline.gov.in and pay the Rs 10 fee by UPI, card or net banking. For any office (Central or State), you can also post a written application to the Public Information Officer (PIO) with a Rs 10 Indian Postal Order or demand draft; State fees and payment modes can differ. The PIO must reply within 30 days (48 hours if life or liberty is involved). If you get no reply or a poor one, file a first appeal within 30 days, and then a second appeal to the Information Commission within 90 days.

Who can file and what you can ask for

Any citizen of India can apply. You do not have to give any reason for wanting the information, and you need give only the contact details required to send you a reply (section 6(2)).

“Information” under section 2(f) means material in any form held by or under the control of a public authority: records, documents, file notings, e-mails, opinions, advice, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, samples, models and electronic data. You can also ask to inspect files or take certified copies.

What you cannot do is ask the PIO to create information that does not exist, give opinions, answer hypothetical “why” questions or interpret the law. Frame your request as a request for records.

Filing online on the RTI Online portal

The portal rtionline.gov.in is run by the Department of Personnel and Training. It accepts requests and first appeals for Ministries, Departments and other public authorities of the Central Government that are on the portal. It must not be used for State Government offices (including the Government of NCT of Delhi); such applications are returned without refund.

Open rtionline.gov.in and choose “Submit Request”. Read the guidelines and tick the box to confirm.
Select the Ministry, Department or public authority from the drop down list. If yours is not listed, it is not on the portal; file by post instead.
Enter your name, address, mobile number and e-mail. An e-mail address is needed for the reply and alerts.
Type your request in the text box. The box has a character limit, so for a longer request type a short line and upload your full application as a PDF.
If you belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, select that option and upload your BPL certificate; no fee is then payable.
Pay the Rs 10 fee through the payment gateway. The portal accepts internet banking, Visa and MasterCard debit and credit cards, RuPay cards and UPI.
Note the registration number shown after payment. You will need it to track the request and to file a first appeal online.

Many States run their own RTI portals for State departments, for example rtionline.up.gov.in in Uttar Pradesh. Use your State’s portal or file by post for State offices.

Filing offline by post or in person

Find the right PIO. Every public authority must designate Public Information Officers (section 5). Their names are usually on the office website or notice board. If you cannot find the name, address it to “The Public Information Officer” of that office.
Write the application. Use plain paper. In Central Government offices an application should ordinarily not exceed 500 words, excluding annexures (rule 3 of the RTI Rules, 2012).
Pay the fee. Attach a Rs 10 Indian Postal Order or demand draft payable to the Accounts Officer of the public authority, or pay cash against receipt at the counter. State rules prescribe their own payee and modes.
Send it. Use Speed Post with proof of delivery, or hand it over at the office and get a dated receipt. You can also give it to an Assistant PIO at the sub-divisional level, who must forward it; in that case the PIO gets five extra days to reply.
Keep a full copy with the postal order number and the postal receipt.

Fees under the Central RTI Rules, 2012

Item	Fee
Application	Rs 10
Copies (A4 or A3 size)	Rs 2 per page
Larger paper, samples or models	Actual cost
Inspection of records	First hour free, then Rs 5 for each further hour
Below Poverty Line applicant	No fee, if a BPL certificate from the appropriate Government is attached

If the PIO needs additional fees for copies, the PIO must write to you with the calculation. The time between that letter and your payment is not counted in the 30 days (section 7(3)). If the PIO misses the deadline, the information must be supplied free of charge (section 7(6)).

Time limits

Step	Time limit	Provision
Reply by PIO	30 days from receipt	Section 7(1)
Information concerning the life or liberty of a person	48 hours	Proviso to section 7(1)
Application given to an Assistant PIO	5 days added	Section 5(2)
Transfer to the right public authority	Within 5 days of receipt	Section 6(3)
Information involving a third party	40 days	Section 11
First appeal to the First Appellate Authority	Within 30 days of the reply or the date it was due	Section 19(1)
Second appeal to the Information Commission	Within 90 days of the first appeal decision or the date it was due	Section 19(3)

Free sample RTI application

To,
The Public Information Officer,
[Name of office],
[Address]

Subject: Application under section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005

1. Name of applicant: [Full name]
2. Address for reply: [Full address with PIN code]
3. Phone and e-mail: [ ]

4. Information sought (for the period [from date] to [to date]):
(a) Certified copy of [the file notings and correspondence relating to my application no. [ ] dated [ ]].
(b) The present status of that application and the name and designation of the officer with whom it is pending.
(c) Copy of the rules, circular or order that fixes the time limit for deciding such applications.

5. I am a citizen of India. I have paid the fee of Rs 10 by [Indian Postal Order no. [ ] dated [ ] / demand draft / cash receipt no. [ ]]. I am willing to pay any further fee for copies on being informed.

Place: [ ]
Date: [ ]
Signature: [ ]

How to frame questions that get answered

Ask for copies of documents rather than explanations: “certified copy of the inspection report” works better than “why was no action taken?”
Give a specific period and reference numbers.
Keep each request to one subject and number the points.
For delayed applications or complaints, ask for the daily progress record, the name of the officer handling it and the rule fixing the time limit.
If the file is large, ask first to inspect it and then for copies of the pages you mark. This saves fees.

Grounds on which information can be refused

Section 8 lists exemptions, such as information affecting national security, commercial confidence, information received in fiduciary capacity, information that would impede an investigation, and cabinet papers before a decision. Section 24 excludes listed security and intelligence organisations, except for information about corruption and human rights violations.

Important change to personal information: section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, in force since 13 November 2025, replaced clause (j) of section 8(1). It now simply exempts “information which relates to personal information”, without the earlier public interest test. Requests for other people’s personal details (service records, assets, tax returns and similar) are now more likely to be refused. The amendment has been challenged in the Supreme Court (Venkatesh Nayak v. Union of India, W.P. (C) No. 177 of 2026, with connected petitions). On 16 February 2026 the Court referred the matter to a larger Bench and refused to stay the amendment. Your own personal information is not affected in the same way; ask for it in your own name.

Need the complete, editable set? The Lexfolio RTI Application and Appeals Kit has English and Hindi formats for the application, first appeal, second appeal and section 18 complaint, a question bank for common situations, and a plain language guide to fees, time limits and exemptions.

If the reply is late or unsatisfactory

First appeal

File it with the First Appellate Authority, an officer senior to the PIO in the same public authority, within 30 days of the reply or of the date the reply was due. No fee is prescribed under the Central Rules. Common grounds: no reply, incomplete or misleading reply, wrong use of an exemption, or excessive fees. For Central authorities you can file the first appeal online using your registration number.

Second appeal or complaint

If the first appeal is not decided or you are still not satisfied, file a second appeal with the Central Information Commission (for Central authorities) or the State Information Commission (for State authorities) within 90 days. Attach copies of the application, the reply, the first appeal and the appellate order, with an index. Separately, a complaint under section 18 lets the Commission impose a penalty of Rs 250 per day of delay on the PIO, up to Rs 25,000 (section 20). A second appeal is the route to get the information; a complaint is the route to penalty.

Going to appeal? The RTI Application and Appeals Kit includes ready grounds of appeal, an index of documents for the second appeal and a complaint format, so you do not have to start from a blank page.

Reading in Hindi? See our guide आरटीआई आवेदन कैसे करें.

Common mistakes

Filing State matters on the Central portal and losing the fee.
Asking “why” questions instead of asking for records.
Bundling many unrelated subjects into one application.
Not keeping a copy and proof of the fee and dispatch.
Missing the 30 day window for the first appeal.

Frequently asked questions

Can I file an RTI application online for a State Government department?

Not on rtionline.gov.in. Use your State’s own RTI portal if it has one, or send the application by post.

What happens if the PIO does not reply within 30 days?

It is treated as a refusal (section 7(2)). File a first appeal, and the information must later be supplied free of charge.

Do I have to give a reason for asking?

No. Section 6(2) says no reason is required.

Can a non-resident Indian file an RTI?

Yes, an Indian citizen living abroad can file, including online on the Central portal, and some Indian missions accept applications.

Can I get information about another person’s salary or assets?

After the DPDP amendment to section 8(1)(j), such personal information is likely to be refused. The Supreme Court is examining the amendment, but has not stayed it.

Is there a fee for the first appeal?

No fee is prescribed under the Central RTI Rules, 2012. Some States charge a fee; check your State rules.

*This article is general information, not legal advice.*

Get one law MCQ a day, free, on Telegram

A daily question for CLAT, AIBE, NET and judiciary with the answer, plus alerts when exam dates, admit cards and new free mocks are released. No spam.

Join @lexfolio_in on Telegram

18 October 2026

Cheque Bounce Notice Section 138: Format and Time Limits

Last updated: 18 October 2026

Short answer: If a cheque given to you for a debt bounces, send a written demand notice to the drawer within 30 days of receiving the bank’s return memo. The drawer then has 15 days from receiving the notice to pay. If they do not pay, you can file a criminal complaint under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 within one month after those 15 days end, in the court where your bank branch is located. Miss any of these steps and the complaint can fail, so the notice is the most important document in the whole case.

The section 138 timeline at a glance

Step	Time limit	Provision
Present the cheque to your bank	Within its validity: three months from the date on the cheque, or any shorter period printed on it	Section 138, proviso (a)
Send the demand notice	Within 30 days of receiving information from the bank that the cheque was returned unpaid	Section 138, proviso (b)
Drawer’s time to pay	15 days from the date the drawer receives the notice	Section 138, proviso (c)
Cause of action arises	The day after the 15 days expire without payment	Section 138, proviso (c)
File the complaint	Within one month of the cause of action; later only if the court condones the delay for sufficient cause	Section 142(1)(b)

Worked example: your bank gives you the return memo on 1 March. You must send the notice by 31 March. Suppose you post it on 3 March and the drawer receives it on 5 March. The 15 days end on 20 March and the cause of action arises on 21 March. File your complaint by 20 April to be safe. Never file before the 15 days are over: a premature complaint is not maintainable.

When does section 138 apply?

All of these conditions must be met:

The cheque was drawn on an account maintained by the drawer and given to discharge a legally enforceable debt or other liability, in whole or in part. A cheque given as a gift or a donation does not qualify.
It was presented within its validity period.
The bank returned it unpaid because funds were insufficient or the amount exceeded the arrangement. Courts have held that returns marked “account closed”, “payment stopped by drawer” or “signature mismatch” can also attract section 138 in suitable cases.
You sent a valid written demand within 30 days of the return memo.
The drawer did not pay the cheque amount within 15 days of receiving the notice.

Once the drawer admits signing and issuing the cheque, the court presumes under section 139 that it was given for a debt or liability. The drawer can rebut this presumption, for example by showing the cheque was given as security for a debt that never became due, but the burden is on the drawer. In Sanjabij Tari v. Kishore S. Borcar (Supreme Court, September 2025) the Court also held that a debt arising from a cash loan of more than Rs 20,000 can still be a legally enforceable debt for section 138, even if the cash transaction breached income tax rules.

What the demand notice must contain

Exact cheque details: number, date, amount, drawee bank and branch, date of presentation, date of return and the reason in the return memo.
A demand for the cheque amount. In Kaveri Plastics v. Mahdoom Bawa Bahrudeen Noorul, 2025 INSC 1133 (decided 19 September 2025), the Supreme Court held a notice invalid because it demanded an amount different from the cheque amount, and refused to treat it as a typing slip. If you also want interest or costs, show them separately so the cheque amount stands out clearly.
The 15 day period for payment, counted from receipt of the notice.
The underlying debt: loan, price of goods, rent, settlement amount and so on, with dates.
For a company or firm: address the notice to the company and also to the directors or partners who were in charge of and responsible for its business, because section 141 makes them liable too.

Free sample: short cheque dishonour notice

NOTICE UNDER SECTION 138 OF THE NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS ACT, 1881

Date: [date]
By Speed Post with proof of delivery and by e-mail

To,
[Name of drawer]
[Address with PIN code]

1. Towards discharge of your liability of Rs [amount] for [loan given on [date] / goods supplied under invoice no. [ ] / other], you issued cheque no. [ ] dated [ ] for Rs [amount], drawn on [bank, branch], in my favour.

2. I presented the cheque through my account with [bank, branch] on [date]. It was returned unpaid on [date] with the remark “[reason as in memo]”. I received the return memo on [date].

3. I hereby demand that you pay the said cheque amount of Rs [amount] within 15 days of receipt of this notice, by [bank transfer to account no. [ ], IFSC [ ] / demand draft in my favour].

4. If you fail to pay the cheque amount within 15 days of receipt of this notice, I shall file a complaint against you under sections 138 and 142 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, besides other proceedings available in law, at your risk as to costs and consequences.

[Signature]
[Name, address, phone, e-mail]

Keep this notice limited to the cheque amount. If you have other claims against the drawer, raise them in a separate letter.

Need the complete, editable set? The Lexfolio Legal Notice Set includes a full section 138 notice for individuals and companies, a reply format for the drawer, a money recovery notice and Hindi versions, with a plain language guide to the timeline and service rules.

How to send it and prove delivery

Send the notice by Speed Post with proof of delivery (India Post merged its registered post service into Speed Post from 1 September 2025), and also by e-mail or WhatsApp as a signed PDF if you have the drawer’s address or number. Keep the booking receipt, tracking report and screenshots. A notice correctly addressed and returned “refused” or “unclaimed” is generally treated as served. In C.C. Alavi Haji v. Palapetty Muhammed, (2007) 6 SCC 555, the Supreme Court added that a drawer who says the notice never arrived can pay within 15 days of receiving the court summons; if he does not, the plea of non-service will not help him.

Filing the complaint

Which court?

After the 2015 amendment, section 142(2) fixes the place. If you deposited the cheque in your bank account for collection, file in the court within whose limits your bank branch where you hold the account is situated. The complaint is tried by a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or a Metropolitan Magistrate.

Documents to attach

Document	Purpose
Original cheque	Primary evidence
Original return memo	Proves dishonour and the date
Copy of the demand notice	Proves the statutory demand
Postal receipt, tracking report, proof of delivery, e-mail or WhatsApp screenshots	Proves dispatch and service
Documents showing the debt (loan transfer, invoice, agreement, ledger)	Supports the legally enforceable liability
Affidavit of the complainant	Evidence in support

Practice changes after Sanjabij Tari (September 2025)

The Supreme Court issued directions to speed up cheque bounce cases. As reported, they include: service of summons by the complainant personally (dasti) in addition to the usual modes, with an affidavit of service; online payment options (QR code or UPI link) mentioned in the summons, so the accused can pay the cheque amount at the start and close the case; a synopsis in a prescribed format at the front of every complaint; and a graded scale of costs for compounding.

Stage at which the case is compounded	Costs in addition to the cheque amount
Before the accused’s defence evidence is recorded	No costs
After defence evidence, before the trial court’s judgment	5 per cent of the cheque amount
Before the Sessions Court or the High Court in revision or appeal	7.5 per cent
Before the Supreme Court	10 per cent

The practical message for both sides: settling early is cheapest.

What the drawer faces

Punishment: imprisonment up to two years, or fine up to twice the cheque amount, or both (section 138).
Interim compensation: the trial court may order up to 20 per cent of the cheque amount during the trial (section 143A).
Deposit in appeal: an appellate court may require a deposit of at least 20 per cent of the fine or compensation (section 148).
Settlement: the offence is compoundable (section 147).

If you have received a section 138 notice, do not ignore it. If the debt is genuine, paying within the 15 days ends the matter. If you dispute it (for example, the cheque was a blank security cheque misused), send a clear written reply within the same period and keep the proof. The Lexfolio set includes a reply format.

Common mistakes that defeat a complaint

Sending the notice after 30 days from the return memo.
Demanding an amount different from the cheque amount.
Filing the complaint before the 15 day period expires, or long after one month without a delay application.
Not naming the company and the directors in charge where the drawer is a company.
Losing the original cheque or return memo.
Filing in the wrong court instead of where your own bank branch is.

Draft it right the first time. The Legal Notice Set gives you section 138 notice and reply formats with clause by clause guidance, a limitation table and a service checklist, in editable Word and PDF.

For ordinary unpaid dues where no cheque is involved, see our guide to the legal notice for recovery of money. If you need the BNS equivalents of old IPC sections such as 420 or 406, which are sometimes added to cheque disputes, see the IPC to BNS section converter.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time limit to send a cheque bounce notice?

Thirty days from the date you receive information from the bank that the cheque was returned unpaid.

Can a cheque bounce notice be sent on WhatsApp?

Several High Courts have accepted notices sent by e-mail or WhatsApp where delivery can be shown. Because practice varies, send the notice by Speed Post as well.

Can I present the cheque again after it bounces?

Yes, within its validity period. A fresh notice can then be sent within 30 days of the later dishonour, and the complaint can be based on that later notice.

Is a cheque bounce case criminal or civil?

Section 138 is a criminal offence, but it is compoundable and the courts encourage settlement. You can also file a civil suit for recovery of the debt alongside it.

Does a security cheque attract section 138?

It can, if on the date of presentation a legally enforceable debt was actually due. If no debt had become payable, the drawer may have a defence.

Where do I file the case if I live in a different city from the drawer?

In the court within whose limits your bank branch, where you maintain the account into which you deposited the cheque, is situated.

*This article is general information, not legal advice.*

Get one law MCQ a day, free, on Telegram

A daily question for CLAT, AIBE, NET and judiciary with the answer, plus alerts when exam dates, admit cards and new free mocks are released. No spam.

Join @lexfolio_in on Telegram

18 October 2026

Legal Notice for Recovery of Money: Format and Free Sample

Last updated: 18 October 2026

Short answer: A legal notice for recovery of money is a written demand that sets out who owes you money, how much, why it is due, and the deadline to pay before you go to court. Indian law does not make such a notice compulsory for most money claims (cheque bounce and suits against the Government are the big exceptions), but a clear notice often gets you paid without litigation and becomes strong evidence if you do sue. Send it while you are still well within the limitation period, which is usually three years.

This guide explains what the notice must contain, gives a short free sample you can adapt, lists the time limits that matter, and tells you what to do if the other side ignores it.

When is a legal notice required?

For an ordinary money claim (unpaid loan, unpaid invoice, refund owed under a contract) no general rule requires a notice before a civil suit. Send one anyway: it records your demand, gives a last chance to pay, forces a written position, and courts consider your conduct when deciding interest and costs.

In some situations a notice is a legal precondition, and getting it wrong can sink the case:

Situation	Law	What is required
Cheque returned unpaid	Section 138, Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881	Written demand within 30 days of the bank’s return memo; the drawer gets 15 days to pay. See our cheque bounce notice guide.
Suit against the Central or a State Government, or a public officer for an official act	Section 80, Code of Civil Procedure, 1908	Written notice; the suit can be filed only after two months from delivery, unless the court grants leave for urgent relief.
Commercial dispute of Rs 3 lakh or more	Section 12A, Commercial Courts Act, 2015	Not a notice as such, but pre-institution mediation must be tried before suing unless you need urgent interim relief.
Contract with an arbitration clause	Section 21, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996	Arbitration starts on the date the other side receives your request to refer the dispute.

What a money recovery notice must contain

A good notice is short, factual and specific. Vague notices (“you owe my client a large sum”) invite vague replies and weaken your later case. Include the following.

Element	Why it matters
Full name and address of the sender and the recipient	Identifies the parties; for a company, address it to the company at its registered office and mark a copy to the person in charge.
How the debt arose	Loan, goods sold, services rendered, advance to be refunded, security deposit. Give dates.
Documents relied on	Invoice numbers, agreement date, bank transfer reference, acknowledgment messages. Mention them; attach copies if useful.
The exact amount	Principal separately from interest and costs, so the figure is easy to verify.
Interest claimed	Contract rate if there is one; otherwise a reasonable rate from a stated date.
Deadline	Usually 15 days from receipt. Do not give so long a period that limitation runs out meanwhile.
Mode of payment	Bank details or a demand draft, so the recipient cannot claim confusion.
Consequence	That you will file a civil suit or other proceedings for recovery with interest and costs, without further notice.
Signature and date	Signed by you, or by your advocate on your instructions.

Free sample: short notice for recovery of money

Use this as a starting point for a simple claim. Replace everything in square brackets and delete what does not apply.

LEGAL NOTICE FOR RECOVERY OF MONEY

Date: [date]
By Speed Post with proof of delivery and by e-mail

To,
[Name of debtor]
[Full address with PIN code]
[E-mail address]

Subject: Demand for payment of Rs [amount] due to [your name]

1. On [date], I lent you Rs [amount] by [bank transfer / cheque no.] [OR: I supplied goods / services to you under invoice no. [ ] dated [ ]]. You agreed to repay [the amount / pay the invoice] by [date].

2. Despite reminders dated [dates], including your message of [date] in which you admitted the amount, you have not paid. Rs [amount] remains due as principal.

3. I am entitled to interest at [the agreed rate of [ ] per cent per annum / a reasonable rate of [ ] per cent per annum] from [date] until payment.

4. I call upon you to pay Rs [amount] with interest of Rs [amount] calculated up to [date], total Rs [amount], within 15 days of receiving this notice, by transfer to account no. [ ], [bank], IFSC [ ].

5. If you fail to pay within this period, I shall file proceedings for recovery of the amount with interest and costs before the competent court, entirely at your risk as to costs and consequences.

Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
[Name, address, phone, e-mail]

This sample does not suit cheque bounce, claims against Government bodies or contracts with an arbitration clause, which need their own wording.

Need the complete, editable set? The Lexfolio Legal Notice Set has ready Word formats for money recovery, cheque dishonour, section 80 CPC notices, consumer refunds, builder delay, tenant arrears, arbitration and defamation, plus reply formats and Hindi versions, with a plain language guide on time limits and service.

Time limits: check limitation before you send

A legal notice does not stop the limitation clock. If your claim becomes time barred while you wait for a reply, the notice will not save it. The common periods under the Schedule to the Limitation Act, 1963 are:

Claim	Period	Time runs from
Money lent (Article 19), including a loan payable on demand (Article 21)	3 years	The date the loan is made
Price of goods sold and delivered, no fixed credit period (Article 14)	3 years	The date of delivery
Price of work done, no time fixed for payment (Article 18)	3 years	When the work is done
Promissory note payable on demand (Article 35)	3 years	The date of the note
Compensation for breach of contract (Article 55)	3 years	When the contract is broken
Any other suit not specifically provided for (Article 113)	3 years	When the right to sue accrues

How to get a fresh period: a written and signed acknowledgment of the debt made before limitation expires starts a new period (section 18). A part payment made before expiry also does so, if it is acknowledged in writing signed by the payer (section 19). Save every message in which the debtor admits the amount.

How to send the notice and prove delivery

Speed Post: since 1 September 2025 India Post has merged its domestic registered post service into Speed Post. Ask for proof of delivery at the counter and keep the booking receipt and the tracking printout.
E-mail and WhatsApp: send a signed PDF to the address or number the debtor has used with you. Courts increasingly accept electronic service, but for important notices use post as well.
Hand delivery: get a signature with name and date on your office copy, or a receiving stamp for an office.
Keep the file: signed copy, receipts, tracking report, screenshots and any returned envelope (do not open it; it may have to be shown sealed in court).

A notice sent to the correct address by post is presumed delivered under section 27 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, and a letter returned “refused” is usually treated as served.

What happens after you send it

If the debtor pays or proposes instalments

Record any settlement in writing, signed by both sides, with the schedule of payments and what happens on default. If the debtor pays part, acknowledge it in writing and keep the balance claim alive.

If the debtor replies and disputes the claim

Read the reply carefully. A reply that admits part of the debt is useful evidence. Do not get into a long exchange of letters; one short rejoinder is enough.

If the debtor ignores the notice

You can choose the route that fits your claim:

Civil suit for recovery: filed in the civil court with territorial and pecuniary jurisdiction. Court fee is set by State law and is usually a percentage of the claim.
Summary suit under Order XXXVII CPC: available where the claim is on a bill of exchange, promissory note, or a written contract or guarantee for a fixed sum. The defendant must obtain leave to defend, which makes it faster for clear documentary claims.
Commercial suit: for a commercial dispute of Rs 3 lakh or more, apply first for pre-institution mediation under section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act. The Supreme Court held in Patil Automation Pvt. Ltd. v. Rakheja Engineers Pvt. Ltd. (17 August 2022) that this step is mandatory unless urgent interim relief is sought.
MSME supplier claims: a micro or small enterprise registered on Udyam whose buyer has not paid within the agreed period (which cannot exceed 45 days) can claim compound interest at three times the RBI bank rate and refer the dispute to the Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council, through the MSME Samadhaan portal, under sections 15 to 18 of the MSMED Act, 2006.
Consumer refunds: if you are a consumer owed a refund, the Consumer Commission is usually cheaper and faster. See our guide on filing a consumer complaint on e-Jagriti.

Common mistakes

Sending the notice when limitation has almost run out, then waiting for a reply.
Demanding an inflated figure that you cannot support with documents.
Writing threats of criminal cases for a purely civil debt. This can backfire and is not a substitute for a civil claim.
Using a wrong or old address and having no proof of delivery.
Mixing up the cheque bounce notice with an ordinary recovery notice. A section 138 notice has its own strict rules.
Not keeping copies of the notice and the postal receipts.

Should you send it yourself or through an advocate?

You can send a recovery notice in your own name; there is no rule that only an advocate can send one. A notice on an advocate’s letterhead often gets more attention, and an advocate will check limitation, jurisdiction and the correct parties. For larger claims, claims against companies, or anything that may end up in court soon, professional drafting is worth it.

Prefer to draft it yourself, properly? The Legal Notice Set gives you tested English and Hindi formats with guidance notes on every clause, a limitation table, a delivery checklist and reply formats, so your notice holds up if the matter reaches court.

Frequently asked questions

Is a legal notice compulsory before filing a money recovery suit?

No, not for an ordinary civil claim. It is compulsory for cheque dishonour under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and for suits against the Government under section 80 CPC. For commercial disputes of Rs 3 lakh or more, pre-institution mediation is mandatory unless you seek urgent interim relief.

How many days should I give in the notice?

Fifteen days from receipt is common and reasonable. Do not give a long period if limitation is close.

Can I send a legal notice by WhatsApp or e-mail?

Yes, as a supporting mode. Send a signed PDF and keep screenshots showing delivery. For important claims, also send it by Speed Post with proof of delivery.

What if the debtor refuses to accept the notice?

A correctly addressed notice returned as “refused” is generally treated as served. Keep the returned envelope sealed and the tracking report.

Does sending a notice extend the limitation period?

No. Only a written, signed acknowledgment of the debt or an acknowledged part payment made before expiry gives you a fresh period.

Can I claim interest in the notice?

Yes. Claim the contract rate if one was agreed, or a reasonable rate from a stated date. The court decides the final rate if the matter goes to trial.

*This article is general information, not legal advice.*

Get one law MCQ a day, free, on Telegram

A daily question for CLAT, AIBE, NET and judiciary with the answer, plus alerts when exam dates, admit cards and new free mocks are released. No spam.

Join @lexfolio_in on Telegram

18 October 2026