How to Complain Against a Government Department in India

A step-by-step guide · CPGRAMS (pgportal.gov.in), RTI & police complaints

Pending pension, a service stuck for months, no reply to your application, or an official asking for a bribe? Almost every grievance against a central or state government department can be filed online — free — through CPGRAMS, the government's own public grievance system.

Quick answer: Go to pgportal.gov.in (CPGRAMS), register, select the department, describe your grievance, attach documents, and note the registration number to track it. If unsatisfied, use the built-in appeal option.

What is CPGRAMS?

CPGRAMS (Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System) is a single online platform to raise grievances with ministries, departments and most government bodies. It routes your complaint to the right office and lets you track it end-to-end.

Step-by-step: filing on CPGRAMS

Open pgportal.gov.in and register with your mobile and email (also available on the UMANG app).
Click "Lodge Public Grievance" and select the relevant Ministry / Department (central) or your State's grievance portal.
Write a clear, factual description — dates, application/reference numbers, officials or office involved, and exactly what you want done.
Attach supporting documents (applications, receipts, previous replies).
Submit and save the registration number. Use "Track Grievance" to follow the status.
If you're not satisfied with the reply, file an Appeal through the same portal within the allowed window.

Tip: Keep it factual and specific. One clear grievance with documents gets actioned faster than a long emotional complaint. Corruption/vigilance matters can also be routed to the CVC (cvc.gov.in).

Using RTI to force an answer

If a department simply won't respond, an RTI (Right to Information) application legally compels a reply — usually within 30 days.

For central bodies, file online at rtionline.gov.in (most states have their own RTI portal).
Pay the ₹10 fee online (free for BPL applicants), and ask specific, answerable questions.
If you get no reply or an unsatisfactory one, file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority, then a second appeal to the Information Commission (CIC / State IC).

Police complaints & cyber fraud

FIR / police inaction: You can file an FIR at the police station, and many states allow an online FIR / e-complaint on their state police website. If the police refuse to register an FIR, escalate in writing to the Superintendent of Police / Commissioner, and if still ignored, approach a Magistrate under Section 156(3) CrPC. For an offence outside the station's area, insist on a Zero FIR.

Cyber & online financial fraud: Report immediately at cybercrime.gov.in or call the cyber helpline 1930 — fast reporting (within hours) gives the best chance of freezing and recovering money.

pgportal.gov.inCPGRAMS grievance

rtionline.gov.inFile an RTI

1930Cyber fraud helpline

cybercrime.gov.inReport cyber crime

Government complaint FAQ

Is CPGRAMS free to use?

Yes, lodging and tracking a grievance on pgportal.gov.in is completely free.

What if CPGRAMS closes my complaint without solving it?

Use the Appeal option on the portal. You can also file an RTI to get the official reasoning on record, which often forces proper action.

Can I complain about a state government office?

Yes. CPGRAMS connects to state grievance portals, or you can use your State's own grievance system directly — the steps are the same.