Right to Information Wiki

📖 Citizen Crash Course in RTI

Free 3-module crash course on the RTI Act, 2005 for first-time citizens. File your first RTI by the end of module 3. Verifiable certificate on completion.

📖 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%

→ Open Module 1

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%

→ Open Module 2

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%

→ Open Module 3

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

  1. Log in (or create a free account) — your progress and certificate are saved to your account.
  2. Open Module 1 above. Read end-to-end.
  3. Mark as read when done. Take the quiz.
  4. Repeat for Modules 2 and 3.
  5. Final exam unlocks once all 3 module quizzes are passed.
  6. Earn your certificate.

Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.

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