Can I file RTI to dispute my property tax assessment?

Yes. You can file an RTI asking for the basis of the property tax assessment — the category assigned, the unit area value applied, and the calculation sheet. This allows you to verify whether the correct rate has been applied to your property type and location. If the assessment appears incorrect, you can then file a formal objection under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957.

My building plan was submitted months ago with no response. What can RTI do?

You can file an RTI asking for the date of receipt of your application, its current processing stage, and whether any deficiency or objection has been noted. MCD is required to approve or reject building plans within specified timelines. A written RTI response documenting the delay can also support any subsequent action you take.

What is the difference between MCD and NDMC for RTI purposes?

MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) covers most of Delhi. NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council) covers a separate area including Connaught Place and Lutyens' Delhi, and is a Central Government body (not GNCTD). RTI for NDMC is filed under the Central Government at rtionline.gov.in, and the second appeal goes to the CIC — not the Delhi Information Commission.

What if MCD does not respond within 30 days?

File a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the relevant MCD Zone within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. If the FAA's response is absent or unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal with the Delhi Information Commission (DIC) under Section 19(3) within 90 days. The DIC is the State Information Commission for Delhi established under Section 15 of the RTI Act 2005.

Home/Guides/How to File RTI with MCD Delhi (Property Tax, Building Plans, Trade Licence)

Delhi State

How to File RTI with MCD Delhi (Property Tax, Building Plans, Trade Licence)

Q: Which MCD zone office should I file the RTI with?

File with the zone office under whose jurisdiction your property or complaint falls. MCD has multiple zones — Central, City, Karol Bagh, Najafgarh, Narela, Rohini, Sadar-Paharganj, Shahdara North, Shahdara South, South, and West. You can find your zone on the MCD website using your address or Property ID. On the Delhi RTI portal, select the appropriate MCD Zone under 'Municipal Corporation of Delhi.'

Step-by-step guide to file an RTI application with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for property tax disputes, building plan approvals, trade licence status, and civic complaints. Includes a ready-to-use sample RTI draft.

Updated 24 May 2026

Quick Facts

MinistryGovernment of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD)

Address RTI ToPublic Information Officer (PIO) of the relevant MCD Zone or Department

Application Fee₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Free for BPL cardholders.

Response Time30 days from receipt (Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005). 48 hours if the matter involves life or liberty.

File Online Athttps://rti.delhi.gov.in

All information on this page is based on the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 22 of 2005) and the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. First Appeal: Section 19(1). Second Appeal to CIC/SIC: Section 19(3).

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is the primary civic body responsible for essential services across most of Delhi — property tax administration, building plan approvals, trade licences, sanitation, birth and death certificates, and public infrastructure. Following the re-merger of the three MCDs (NDMC, SDMC, EDMC) in December 2022, MCD now functions as a single unified body under the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD).

MCD is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005, and is fully subject to the Act. Citizens regularly use RTI to resolve property tax disputes, track building plan applications, understand trade licence delays, and get written explanations for unresolved civic complaints.

Important: Do not confuse MCD with NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council), which covers the Connaught Place and Lutyens' Delhi area and is a Central Government body with a separate RTI process.

What Can You Achieve with an RTI to MCD?

Get the basis of your property tax assessment — category, use type, unit area value, and calculation
Track the current stage of your building plan application and know if any objection has been noted
Know the status of your trade licence application or renewal and the reason for any delay
Get the action taken report on a civic complaint (sanitation, road, encroachment) registered with MCD
Obtain a certified copy of birth or death certificate status if there has been a processing delay
Get information on contractor and tender details for public works in your area

Where to File: The Right Authority

MCD is organised into zones, each headed by a Joint Commissioner. File your RTI with the zone office that covers your property or area.

MCD Zones: Central, City, Karol Bagh, Najafgarh, Narela, Rohini, Sadar-Paharganj, Shahdara North, Shahdara South, South, and West.

You can identify your zone using the MCD website's property search tool with your property ID or address. On the Delhi RTI portal, select: Municipal Corporation of Delhi → Your Zone.

How to File: Step by Step

Step 1: Gather Your Details

Your MCD Property ID / House Tax Number (for property matters)
The application reference number (for building plan, trade licence, or complaint)
The date you made the original application or payment
The zone office your area falls under

Step 2: Draft Your Application

Be specific about which MCD function is involved and what you are asking. Mixing multiple unrelated queries in one RTI weakens the application. The sample draft above covers the most common scenarios — adapt the specific questions to your situation.

Step 3: File Online

File at rti.delhi.gov.in, select MCD and the relevant zone, and pay ₹10 online. Alternatively, you can submit the application by post or in person at the relevant MCD Zone office.

Step 4: Appeals

If there is no response within 30 days, or the response is unsatisfactory, file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the relevant MCD Zone within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day period, whichever is applicable. If that is also unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal with the Delhi Information Commission (DIC) under Section 19(3) within 90 days. The DIC is Delhi's State Information Commission established under Section 15 of the RTI Act 2005.

What Specific Information Can You Ask For?

Property tax:

Property tax assessment for the property at address for AY YYYY-YY — category assigned, unit area value, rate, and calculation
Any arrears outstanding on the property and the assessment orders under which they were levied

Building plans:

Date of receipt of building plan application Ref. No., current stage, and any objection or deficiency noted
Name of officer responsible for reviewing the plan and the expected timeline for approval under MCD's building bye-laws

Trade licence:

Current status of trade licence application/renewal Ref. No. and reason for delay
Whether any inspection was conducted, the date, and the outcome

Complaints:

Action taken on complaint Ref. No. dated DD/MM/YYYY — steps taken, officer assigned, and current status

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Public Information Officer (PIO),
Municipal Corporation of Delhi,
[Zone Name] Zone Office,
[Address]

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — Property Tax / Building Plan / Trade Licence

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], residing at [Your Full Address], submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, to seek the following information:

Property / Application details:
  Property Address: [Full address of the property]
  MCD Property ID / House Tax No. (if known): [Property ID]
  Subject of enquiry: [Property Tax / Building Plan / Trade Licence / Birth/Death Certificate / Other]
  Reference/Application No. (if any): [Reference Number]
  Date of Application/Payment (if applicable): [DD/MM/YYYY]

Information sought:

1. The current status of [my property tax assessment / building plan application / trade licence application] for the above property, as on the date of this RTI.

2. [For property tax] The basis of the property tax assessment for the year [YYYY-YY], including the category, use type, and rate applied. If any arrears are shown, provide the assessment order and calculation sheet.

3. [For building plan] The date on which my building plan application bearing reference [XXX] was received, its current stage of processing, and whether any objection or deficiency has been noted.

4. [For trade licence] The current status of my trade licence application/renewal bearing reference [XXX], the specific reason for any delay, and the officer responsible for the decision.

5. [For complaints] The status of my complaint bearing reference [XXX] lodged on [DD/MM/YYYY], the action taken, and the name and designation of the officer to whom it was assigned.

I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. 10 [via online payment; Reference No.: [Payment Ref]].

I request the above information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Complete Address]
Phone: [Your 10-digit Mobile Number]
Email: [[email protected]]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Replace all text in [square brackets] with your actual details before filing. Do not include the brackets in your submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

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