Karnataka brings physical RTI requests under Sakala and expands digital access to Gram One centres
Government offices across Karnataka must now register paper RTI applications online within two days as the state moves all public services onto digital platforms.
Government offices in Karnataka must now register all physical Right to Information applications on the state's online portal within two days of receiving them, bringing paper submissions directly under the Karnataka Sakala Services Act, 2011.
The measure ensures that every paper application, whether delivered by post or handed over at a public counter, generates a unique online tracking number. If an official fails to upload the application within the stipulated two-day deadline, the applicant becomes eligible for compensatory relief under Sakala provisions, and the responsible officer faces administrative accountability.
To ensure rural residents and citizens without internet access can also file requests easily, the state has opened online filing at all Gram One centres at the gram panchayat level, as well as Bengaluru One and Karnataka One centres in urban areas. Citizens can complete applications at these assistance counters for a nominal service charge alongside the standard fee, receiving immediate digital receipts.
Delivery channels under the updated framework
| Channel | Target users | Key feature | Fee payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTI Online Portal | Computer-literate applicants | Direct tracking and immediate acknowledgement | UPI and digital payments |
| Gram One & City Centres | Rural and offline citizens | Staff-assisted filing with instant printed receipt | Nominal service charge + RTI fee |
| Physical Office Counters | Paper applicants | Portal upload mandated within two days | Prescribed cash or postal order |
| Sakala Framework | All state service seekers | Legally guaranteed service timelines | Integrated online billing |
Streamlining services across departments
This expansion forms part of a broader administrative overhaul recommended by the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission-2. Under executive guidelines issued by the Department of Public Services, state departments must bring all citizen services, licences, and official certificates onto digital platforms and incorporate them into the Sakala framework.
To improve citizen experience, government certificates issued across departments will be automatically stored in DigiLocker, while rejected application fees will be refunded automatically. Departmental forms will also be provided in Kannada alongside English, with applicants receiving status updates via SMS and WhatsApp.
Principal Secretary for Public Services Harsha Gupta said the reforms are designed to eliminate unnecessary visits to administrative offices, reduce processing delays, and enforce systematic compliance with statutory timelines across Karnataka's governance structure.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Physical RTI registration timeline | 2 days | Department of Public Services |
| Governing statutory act | Karnataka Sakala Services Act, 2011 | Karnataka government order |
| Primary advisory commission | Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission-2 | Karnataka government order |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Department of Public Services | State department issuing administrative guidelines. |
| Sakala | Karnataka statutory public service delivery guarantee platform. |
| Karnataka | State implementing the governance and RTI reforms. |
