Free help with civic life in India

Finding your representatives

• Digital Sansad: Lok Sabha list of membersParliament’s list of current Lok Sabha members, which you can filter by name, party, constituency or State/Union Territory to find your MP.sansad.in/ls/members
• Digital Sansad: Rajya Sabha list of membersParliament’s list of sitting Rajya Sabha members, which you can view by State/Union Territory.sansad.in/rs/members

Right to Information and public grievances

• RTI Online (Department of Personnel and Training)File an application under the Right to Information Act, or a first appeal, online to Central Government ministries, departments and other central public authorities, and track its status. Applications for State Government bodies, including Delhi, must not be filed here.rtionline.gov.in
• RTI Online: Frequently asked questionsExplains how to write and pay for an RTI request online. No RTI fee is needed from applicants below the poverty line (with a certificate), and no fee is charged for a first appeal.rtionline.gov.in/faq.php
• Central Information CommissionThe commission set up under the Right to Information Act, 2005, covering all central public authorities. You can file a second appeal or a complaint with it online, and it links to State Information Commissions.cic.gov.in
• Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)A government portal, open 24x7, to lodge a grievance with any Ministry or Department of the Government of India or the States about service delivery, track it with your registration number and appeal if you are not satisfied. There is also a mobile app.pgportal.gov.in

Having your say and public spending

• MyGovThe Government of India’s citizen engagement platform, where you can join discussions, polls, quizzes and tasks on public issues.www.mygov.in
• India Budget (Ministry of Finance)The Union Budget documents, including the Finance Minister’s speech, Budget highlights and the Annual Financial Statement of planned receipts and spending.www.indiabudget.gov.in

Volunteering and service

• MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat)The Government of India’s youth platform, where you can register to volunteer, join events and experiential learning, and take part in drives. Toll-free: 14472 or 1800 212 2729.mybharat.gov.in
• National Service Scheme (NSS)A Government of India scheme from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports that lets school, college and university students take part in community service activities.nss.gov.in

Voting and elections

• Election Commission of India: Search in Electoral RollCheck whether you are on the electoral roll by searching with your EPIC (voter ID) number, your details or your mobile number.electoralsearch.eci.gov.in
• Voter Helpline 1950 and Book-a-Call with BLO (PIB)The Election Commission’s National Contact Centre answers election queries and complaints daily from 8am to 8pm on toll-free 1800-11-1950, and you can use the Voter Helpline 1950 or book a call with your Booth Level Officer.www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2183805&reg=3&lang=2
• ECINET (PIB)Explains ECINET, the Election Commission’s one-stop platform in 22 scheduled languages and English for voter registration, electoral roll search, tracking your application, Know Your Candidate, e-EPIC download and grievances.www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2217429&reg=3&lang=1

Checking official information and reporting scams

• PIB Fact Check Unit: FAQsSend suspicious news about the Government of India, its ministries, departments or public sector bodies to be checked, on WhatsApp +91 8799711259, by email or on the portal. No fee is charged for fact checking.www.pib.gov.in/FAQ_fact.aspx?reg=3&lang=1
• Sanchar Saathi: Chakshu (Department of Telecommunications)Report suspected fraud calls, SMS or WhatsApp messages, including people pretending to be the Department of Telecommunications, TRAI, police or other government officials. If you have lost money, report at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.sancharsaathi.gov.in

Learn it in a session

Free one-hour Voice sessions, each with a take-home sheet for India.

• Who decides what: Councils, school boards, counties and agencies: what each is responsible for, and where your own area’s decisions are made.
• Meetings and public comment: Reading an agenda, when and how to comment, and writing to the people who decide.
• Records requests: Asking for public records, deadlines and fees, and what to do if a request is refused.
• Budgets in plain words: Where to find your local budget, how to read it, and when residents can have a say.
• Serving locally: Advisory boards, commissions, election work and volunteering with public services.
• Information you can trust: Finding official sources, checking claims, and recognizing scams that imitate government.