courses:citizen-crash:start
Table of Contents
📖 Citizen Crash Course in RTI
What you'll be able to do after this course
- Decide in 30 seconds whether your problem can be solved by an RTI — or needs a different remedy (consumer court, Lokayukta, grievance portal).
- Draft a §6(1) application that survives PIO scrutiny — using plain English, no legal jargon needed.
- Pick the right PIO in your state and post the application correctly (IPO + Speed Post).
- Read the PIO's reply like an insider — spot defects, severability errors, and missing reasons.
- File a §19(1) First Appeal when the PIO refuses or stays silent.
Course at a glance
| Modules | 3 |
| Duration | ~3 hours of reading + practice |
| Quizzes | 10 questions per module · 70% to pass |
| Final exam | 15 questions · 10 minutes · 3 attempts · 70% |
| Certificate | Print-ready · serial CCC-XXXXXXXXXX · verifiable |
| Fee | Free (no statutory cost; only ₹10 if you actually file an RTI) |
| Prerequisite | None — you can read this page |
The 3 modules
Module 1 — What RTI is, and what it isn't
- The Right to Information Act, 2005: history, why it matters
- What you can and cannot ask for (records, not opinions)
- The 4 things every RTI needs: PIO, fee, signature, citizenship
- Common myths debunked
- Quiz · 10 q · 70%
Module 2 — Drafting + filing
- The 4-line template that works for 90% of cases
- How to find the right PIO (Central / state / municipal)
- Fee + payment modes by state
- Speed Post vs online portal
- Tracking + acknowledgement
- Quiz · 10 q · 70%
Module 3 — Reading replies + first appeal
- Anatomy of a good PIO reply
- The 7 ways PIOs (improperly) refuse — and what to say
- §10 severability — what to demand if the PIO refuses the whole record
- Filing First Appeal under §19(1) — template + deadlines
- When to escalate to Second Appeal (CIC/SIC)
- Quiz · 10 q · 70%
Final exam
- 15 questions drawn across all 3 modules
- 10-minute timer · 3 attempts · 70% to pass
- Honor Code + typed signature required
- Tab-switching forfeits the attempt
Certificate
On passing the final, you receive:
- A print-ready PDF certificate (A4 + letter sizes) with your name, course name, date.
- A unique 10-character serial in format CCC-XXXXXXXXXX.
- A public verification URL at righttoinformation.wiki/verify-cert?serial=CCC-XXX…. Anyone can verify your certificate is real.
- A LinkedIn-ready badge image for social profiles.
The certificate is valid for 12 months from issue. To renew, take the 20-question refresher quiz when next year's update is published.
Why this course is free
RTI was designed for citizens, not for paid intermediaries. We build free tools and free courses because a charge gates the very transparency the RTI Act exists to deliver. We're funded by ads + donations.
If you find it useful, share with one friend (the WhatsApp button at bottom-right is one tap), or drop us a small donation to keep things running.
How to start
- Log in (or create a free account) — your progress and certificate are saved to your account.
- Open Module 1 above. Read end-to-end.
- Mark as read when done. Take the quiz.
- Repeat for Modules 2 and 3.
- Final exam unlocks once all 3 module quizzes are passed.
- Earn your certificate.
Related
- PIO/FAA CPD Course (advanced) — 12 modules, 30 hours
Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.
Was this helpful?
— views
Thanks for the signal.
courses/citizen-crash/start.txt · Last modified: by 127.0.0.1
