PIO / FAA CPD — Full Curriculum

Full 12-module curriculum for the PIO / FAA CPD course. Learning outcomes, required reading, drafting templates, self-check quiz for each module.

Part of the PIO / FAA CPD Course.

Module 1 → · 2 hours · Quiz 10 Q

• Historical context: Right-to-know movements → RTI Act enactment
• Preamble — the three purposes
• Section 2 definitions — “information”, “record”, “right to information”
• Section 2(h) — the four limbs of “public authority” and the Thalappalam test
• Obligations on public authorities

Reading. The RTI Act 2005 index · Common terms · Thalappalam.

Module 2 → · 2 hours · Quiz 10 Q

• The 17 categories of §4(1)(b) — your first audit target
• Proactive disclosure on the departmental website
• §4(1)© and §4(1)(d) — reasons for policy and administrative decisions
• How Section 4 reduces the RTI workload by 60%+

Template. A 17-point §4 self-audit spreadsheet for your department.

Module 3 → · 2 hours · Quiz 10 Q

• What counts as a request; form and fee (Central: Rs. 10; state variations)
• §6(2) — the no-motive rule
• §6(3) — transfer to the correct authority within 5 days
• BPL exemption (§7(5))
• Common applicant mistakes you should NOT rely on to reject

Template. §6(3) transfer-order template.

Module 4 → · 3 hours · Quiz 12 Q

• §7(1) — 30-day clock
• §7(1) proviso — 48 hours for life-and-liberty
• §7(2) — deemed refusal
• §7(5) — fees; §7(6) — when additional fees fall away
• §7(8)(i) — reasoned refusal (the most-appealed provision)
• §7(9) — alternative form, NOT a ground of refusal

Reading. §7(9) alternative form · §7(2) deemed refusal.

Template. §7(8)(i) reasoned-refusal letter (one page, reusable).

Module 5 → · 4 hours · Quiz 15 Q

• Clause-by-clause walk-through of §8(1)(a) to (j)
• The harm-test requirement under each clause
• Common misapplications and how SICs flag them
• Post-14-November-2025 changes to §8(1)(j)

Reading. The ten grounds — full treatment · each PIO framework page linked from there.

Template. Clause-selection checklist (one-page flow-chart).

Module 6 → · 3 hours · Quiz 10 Q

• §8(2) — public-interest override, the master mechanism
• Post-14-November-2025 framework: §8(1)(j) narrows; §8(2) carries the balance
• The Puttaswamy proportionality test
• Drafting a §8(2) balancing note

Reading. §8(1)(j) after DPDP · Privacy vs public-interest.

Template. §8(2) balancing worksheet.

Module 7 → · 2 hours · Quiz 10 Q

• §10 — the duty to sever and release the non-exempt part
• Blanket refusal = §10 violation (GMC Thiruvananthapuram)
• §9 — copyright other than the State
• State-copyright materials are always disclosable

Reading. §10 severability.

Template. §10 severed-copy cover sheet.

Module 8 → · 3 hours · Quiz 12 Q

• The mandatory 5-day notice
• The third party's 10-day response window
• The 40-day total ceiling
• C. Muniyappan — what happens when §11 is skipped
• Drafting the third-party representation and the PIO's reasoned balance

Reading. §11 procedure.

Template. §11 notice + decision-memo pair.

Module 9 → · 3 hours · Quiz 12 Q

• §19(1) — First Appeal to the FAA; timelines and format
• §19(3) — Second Appeal to the SIC / CIC
• §19(6) — 30+15 day disposal by the FAA
• §19(8) — FAA powers: disclosure, compensation, costs
• Writing a speaking order that survives Second Appeal and writ review

Reading. First Appeal timelines · FAA checklist · §19(8) powers.

Template. FAA speaking-order template (3 variations: uphold, remand, allow).

Module 10 → · 2 hours · Quiz 10 Q

• When §20(1) penalty is imposed (Rs. 250/day up to Rs. 25,000)
• Personal liability of the defaulting officer
• Procedural safeguards — show-cause, hearing, reasons
• Departmental action under §20(2)

Template. Show-cause notice under §20; reasoned penalty order.

Module 11 → · 3 hours · Quiz 15 Q

• 25 rulings every PIO / FAA must know
• CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011), ICAI v. Shaunak Satya (2011), Girish Deshpande (2013), R.K. Jain (2013), Namit Sharma (2013), Thalappalam (2013), RBI v. Jayantilal Mistry (2016), Puttaswamy (2017), Lalita Kumari (2014)
• 15 High-Court rulings across Bombay, Madras, Kerala, Karnataka, Calcutta
• How to cite a case in a three-line ratio that persuades an FAA

Reading. 10 landmark CIC decisions · Bombay HC · Madras HC · Kerala HC · Karnataka HC · Calcutta HC · Citing case law.

Template. Case-citation template — three-line ratio format.

Module 12 → · 3 hours · Quiz 15 Q

• Diary management and calendar for the 30-day window
• Front-desk intake and classification
• Drafting templates — assembly over writing
• Writ-proofing PIO and FAA orders
• DPDP 2023 interaction with RTI
• Handling hostile/surveillance-style RTIs against an officer (see our guide)

Template. End-to-end PIO SOP — intake form → classification → §8 test → §11 notice → reasoned order → FAA appeal file-note.

• 60-minute online assessment, 60 MCQs drawn from all 12 quiz banks.
• Open-book.
• Pass mark: 70%.
• Unlimited retakes — the course is free.
• On-pass, the certificate PDF downloads instantly; verification URL is generated.

• CPD course landing
• How to start — free
• Certification detail
• Instructor

Last reviewed: 21 April 2026.