Right to Information Wiki

Module 09 — Section 19 — Appeals

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 03 May 2026 08:28:36 +0000

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	+	{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(pio cpd module 9,rti cpd module 9,module-09,pio training module-09,rti module 9)&metatag-description=(Module 9 of the PIO / FAA CPD course — Section 19 — Appeals. Learning outcomes, reading list, templates, quiz. Section 19 creates a two-tier appeal: First Appeal.)}}
	+
	+	====== Module 09 — Section 19 — Appeals ======
	+
	+	Section 19 creates a two-tier appeal: First Appeal under Section 19(1) to the FAA within 30 days; Second Appeal under Section 19(3) to the Central or State Information Commission within 90 days. The FAA must decide within 30 days, extendable to 45 with written reasons. Section 19(5) places the burden of justifying refusal on the public authority.
	+
	+	{{page>_snippets:dpdp-banner}}
	+
	+	Part of the [[:cpd:start\|PIO / FAA CPD Course]] · [[:cpd:curriculum\|Full curriculum]].
	+
	+	<WRAP center round info 95%>
	+	Module 9 · ~3 hours · 12-question self-check quiz. This module covers Section 19 — Appeals and produces a reusable drafting template you can use in your own RTI workflow.
	+	</WRAP>
	+
	+	===== Learning outcomes =====
	+
	+	By the end of this module you will be able to:
	+
	+	* File or hear a First Appeal under §19(1) within 30 days
	+	* Decide within 30+15 days per §19(6)
	+	* Apply the §19(8) powers — disclosure, compensation, costs
	+	* Write a speaking order that survives Second Appeal and writ review
	+
	+	===== Required reading =====
	+
	+	Each link below takes you to the detailed practitioner article in the RTI Wiki knowledge base. Use these as your primary text for the module.
	+
	+	* [[:faa-first-appeal-timelines\|First Appeal timelines]]
	+	* [[:faa-appellate-review-checklist\|FAA appellate-review checklist]]
	+	* [[:faa-section-19-8-powers\|§19(8) FAA powers]]
	+	* [[:faa-speaking-order-guide\|FAA speaking-order guide]]
	+
	+	===== Drafting template =====
	+
	+	FAA speaking-order — 3 variations: uphold PIO · remand for reasoned order · allow appeal.
	+
	+	Enrolled students receive the fillable Word / Google Docs version in the course dashboard.
	+
	+	===== Exercise =====
	+
	+	Given a PIO reply that invokes §8(1)(d) with no third-party identification, write the FAA's speaking order on the First Appeal — including disclosure direction, compensation consideration, and costs.
	+
	+	===== Key citations ======
	+
	+	* §19(1), §19(3), §19(6), §19(8)
	+
	+	===== Self-check quiz =====
	+
	+	* 12 multiple-choice questions, drawn from the reading above.
	+	* Open-book. No time limit.
	+	* You must score at least 70% to unlock the next module (quiz score contributes to the 30 CPD hours).
	+	* Available on the course dashboard after enrolment.
	+
	+	===== Navigation =====
	+
	+	* Previous: [[:cpd:module-08\|Module 08]]
	+	* Next: [[:cpd:module-10\|Module 10]]
	+	* [[:cpd:curriculum\|Back to full curriculum]]
	+
	+
	+	<WRAP center round tip 95%>
	+	Ready to test your understanding? Take the [[:cpd:app\|Module 9 quiz in the course dashboard]]. 10 randomised questions · 70% to pass · unlimited attempts.
	+	</WRAP>
	+
	+	===== Related =====
	+
	+	* [[:cpd:start\|CPD course landing]]
	+	* [[:cpd:enrol\|How to start — free]]
	+	* [[:cpd:certification\|Certification]]
	+	* [[:cpd:about-instructor\|Instructor]]
	+
	+	----
	+
	+	//Last reviewed: 21 April 2026.//
	+
	+	{{tag>cpd module-09 pio-training faa-training}}

Why trust this course — RTI Wiki Citizen Guide 2026

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 03 May 2026 08:37:01 +0000

2026/04/21 16:11		current
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-	{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(why trust rti wiki,rti act authority,rti wiki authority 20 years,rti expert india,rti wiki trust,kushal pathak rti,rti wiki history,most authoritative rti reference)&metatag-description=(Why RTI Wiki is India's most authoritative online reference on the Right to Information Act — 20+ years of continuous editing, 400+ articles, 200+ case citations, cited by Information Commissions, and a course built by a practitioner with 25 years of RTI experience.)}}	+	{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(why trust rti wiki,rti act authority,rti wiki authority 20 years,rti expert india,rti wiki trust,shrawan pathak rti,rti wiki history,most authoritative rti reference)&metatag-description=(Why RTI Wiki is India's most authoritative online reference on the Right to Information Act — 20+ years of continuous editing, 400+ articles, 200+ case citations.)}}
-		+
-	====== Why trust this course ======	+

		+	====== Why trust this course — RTI Wiki Citizen Guide 2026 ======
	{{ :social:auto:cpd-why-trust.png?direct&1200 \|Why trust RTI Wiki's CPD course}}		{{ :social:auto:cpd-why-trust.png?direct&1200 \|Why trust RTI Wiki's CPD course}}

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	===== The instructor =====		===== The instructor =====

-	**Kushal Pathak — editor of RTI Wiki for 20 years, with 25 years of active RTI / administrative-law practice. Author of the [[:pio-rti-reply-guide\|canonical PIO Reply Guide]], [[:faa-speaking-order-guide\|FAA Speaking-Order Guide]], [[:explanations:grounds-for-rejection\|Grounds for Rejection decision tree]], and [[:pio-faa-knowledge-base\|PIO / FAA Knowledge Base]]** — each of which is independently the most-linked resource in its category in the Indian RTI corpus.	+	**Shrawan Pathak — editor of RTI Wiki for 20 years, with 25 years of active RTI / administrative-law practice. Author of the [[:pio-rti-reply-guide\|canonical PIO Reply Guide]], [[:faa-speaking-order-guide\|FAA Speaking-Order Guide]], [[:explanations:grounds-for-rejection\|Grounds for Rejection decision tree]], and [[:pio-faa-knowledge-base\|PIO / FAA Knowledge Base]]** — each of which is independently the most-linked resource in its category in the Indian RTI corpus.

	For professional background, teaching positions and publications, see [[:cpd:about-instructor\|the instructor's page]].		For professional background, teaching positions and publications, see [[:cpd:about-instructor\|the instructor's page]].

PIO / FAA CPD — Full Curriculum

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 03 May 2026 08:32:40 +0000

2026/05/03 11:30	current
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	+	{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(pio faa cpd curriculum,rti course syllabus,12 modules rti,pio training syllabus,rti cpd modules,rti act training curriculum)&metatag-description=(Full 12-module curriculum for the PIO / FAA CPD course. Learning outcomes, required reading, drafting templates, self-check quiz for each module.)}}
	+
	+	====== PIO / FAA CPD — Full Curriculum ======
	+
	+	{{page>_snippets:dpdp-banner}}
	+
	+
	+
	+	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 [[:cpd:start\|PIO / FAA CPD Course]].
	+
	+	<WRAP center round info 95%>
	+	12 modules · 30 hours · 200+ case citations · 50+ drafting templates. Each module below links to its own page, the required reading on RTI Wiki, the drafting templates, and the self-assessment quiz (available to enrolled students).
	+	</WRAP>
	+
	+	===== Module 1 — Foundations of the RTI Act, 2005 =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:module-01\|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. [[:act\|The RTI Act 2005 index]] · [[:explanations\|Common terms]] · [[:kerala-hc-rti-rulings\|Thalappalam]].
	+
	+	===== Module 2 — Section 4: Suo-motu Disclosure =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:module-02\|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)(c) 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 — Section 6: Request Procedure =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:module-03\|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 — Section 7: Disposal =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:module-04\|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. [[:pio-section-7-9-alternative-form\|§7(9) alternative form]] · [[:pio-deemed-refusal-section-7-2\|§7(2) deemed refusal]].
	+
	+	Template. §7(8)(i) reasoned-refusal letter (one page, reusable).
	+
	+	===== Module 5 — Section 8(1): The Ten Grounds =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:module-05\|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. [[:explanations:grounds-for-rejection\|The ten grounds — full treatment]] · each PIO framework page linked from there.
	+
	+	Template. Clause-selection checklist (one-page flow-chart).
	+
	+	===== Module 6 — Section 8(2) & the DPDP 2025 Amendment =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:module-06\|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. [[:pio-section-8-1-j-framework\|§8(1)(j) after DPDP]] · [[:faa-privacy-public-interest-balancing\|Privacy vs public-interest]].
	+
	+	Template. §8(2) balancing worksheet.
	+
	+	===== Module 7 — Section 10 Severability and Section 9 Copyright =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:module-07\|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. [[:pio-section-10-severability\|§10 severability]].
	+
	+	Template. §10 severed-copy cover sheet.
	+
	+	===== Module 8 — Section 11 Third-party Procedure =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:module-08\|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. [[:pio-section-11-third-party\|§11 procedure]].
	+
	+	Template. §11 notice + decision-memo pair.
	+
	+	===== Module 9 — Section 19: Appeals =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:module-09\|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. [[:faa-first-appeal-timelines\|First Appeal timelines]] · [[:faa-appellate-review-checklist\|FAA checklist]] · [[:faa-section-19-8-powers\|§19(8) powers]].
	+
	+	Template. FAA speaking-order template (3 variations: uphold, remand, allow).
	+
	+	===== Module 10 — Section 20: Penalties =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:module-10\|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 — Landmark Case Law =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:module-11\|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. [[:landmark-cic-decisions\|10 landmark CIC decisions]] · [[:bombay-hc-rti-rulings\|Bombay HC]] · [[:madras-hc-rti-rulings\|Madras HC]] · [[:kerala-hc-rti-rulings\|Kerala HC]] · [[:karnataka-hc-rti-rulings\|Karnataka HC]] · [[:calcutta-hc-rti-rulings\|Calcutta HC]] · [[:pio-citing-case-law\|Citing case law]].
	+
	+	Template. Case-citation template — three-line ratio format.
	+
	+	===== Module 12 — Practical PIO/FAA Workflow =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:module-12\|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 [[:blog:rti-against-government-officer\|our guide]])
	+
	+	Template. End-to-end PIO SOP — intake form → classification → §8 test → §11 notice → reasoned order → FAA appeal file-note.
	+
	+	===== Final assessment =====
	+
	+	* 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.
	+
	+	===== Related =====
	+
	+	* [[:cpd:start\|CPD course landing]]
	+	* [[:cpd:enrol\|How to start — free]]
	+	* [[:cpd:certification\|Certification detail]]
	+	* [[:cpd:about-instructor\|Instructor]]
	+
	+	----
	+
	+	//Last reviewed: 21 April 2026.//
	+
	+	{{tag>cpd curriculum pio-training faa-training}}

In this course, you will

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:13:50 +0000

2026/05/03 11:30	current
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	+	{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(pio faa cpd course,rti training online free,pio training india free,faa training course,rti act certification free,rti continuing professional development,rti cpd online india,pio certification course,rti act training 2026 free,rti course coursera style)&metatag-description=(India's first case-law-anchored online CPD course for Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities. 12 modules, 30 CPD hours, 200+ case citations, 50+ templates, timed final exam, verifiable certificate. Free, open to all.)}}
	+
	+	===== In this course, you will =====
	+
	+	* Classify any RTI request against the 10 grounds of rejection in under 90 seconds.
	+	* Draft a reasoned §7(8)(i) order with sub-clause + case citation — in a single paragraph that survives First and Second Appeal.
	+	* Execute the §11 third-party procedure without procedural defects.
	+	* Apply the post-14-November-2025 §8(2) framework to privacy balancing.
	+	* Prepare a First-Appeal speaking order that cites both statute and precedent.
	+	* Spot the 13 most common reasons SICs and High Courts overturn PIO orders.
	+
	+	Skills you will gain: Statutory drafting · §8(1) classification · Case-law citation · §7 timeline discipline · §11 third-party notice · §10 severance · §19 appellate orders · §20 penalty defence · DPDP-compliant privacy balancing.
	+
	+	===== Course at a glance =====
	+
	+	\| Modules \| 12 \|
	+	\| CPD hours \| 30 hours of structured reading + practice \|
	+	\| Case citations \| 200+ (SC + HC + CIC) \|
	+	\| Templates \| 50+ copy-ready drafts \|
	+	\| Module quizzes \| 10 randomised questions each · 70% to pass \|
	+	\| Final exam \| 25 questions · 15 minutes · 3 attempts · 70% pass \|
	+	\| Certificate \| Print-ready · verification URL · LinkedIn-ready \|
	+	\| Fee \| Free (promotional launch) \|
	+	\| Prerequisite \| None — no prior RTI knowledge assumed \|
	+	\| Language \| English (Hindi planned late 2026) \|
	+	\| Pace \| Self-paced \|
	+
	+
	+	===== How it works =====
	+
	+	- [[doku.php?do=login\|Log in]] or [[doku.php?do=register\|create a free account]]. Enrolment is tied to your account so scores, attempts and certificates are saved.
	+	- Open the [[:cpd:app\|course dashboard]] and click Enrol. Takes one click.
	+	- Read each module (each links to RTI Wiki source articles for depth) — Mark as read when done.
	+	- Take the graded quiz for each module — 10 randomised questions, 70% to pass, unlimited attempts with a fresh randomised set each time. Quiz opens with a one-checkbox Honor Code.
	+	- Clear all 12 module quizzes to unlock the final exam.
	+	- Final exam: 25 questions drawn across modules · 15-minute timer · 3 attempts maximum · Honor Code + typed signature · tab-switching forfeits the attempt.
	+	- Earn your certificate — issued the moment you pass the final. Unique 10-character serial with a permanent verification URL.
	+
	+	===== Syllabus =====
	+
	+	^ Module ^ Title ^ Focus ^
	+	\| 1 \| Foundations of the RTI Act, 2005 \| Preamble · §2 definitions · §2(h) public-authority test \|
	+	\| 2 \| Section 4 — Suo-motu disclosure \| 17 categories · audit framework \|
	+	\| 3 \| Section 6 — Request procedure \| Fee · transfer · no-motive rule \|
	+	\| 4 \| Section 7 — Disposal & timelines \| 30 days · 48 hrs · §7(8)(i) · §7(9) \|
	+	\| 5 \| Section 8(1) — 10 grounds of rejection \| Each sub-clause, decision tree \|
	+	\| 6 \| Section 8(2) & DPDP 2025 amendment \| New public-interest framework \|
	+	\| 7 \| Section 10 & Section 9 \| Severance + third-party copyright \|
	+	\| 8 \| Section 11 — Third-party procedure \| 5/10/40-day rule · //Muniyappan// standard \|
	+	\| 9 \| Section 19 — First & Second Appeal \| Speaking orders · §19(5) burden \|
	+	\| 10 \| Section 20 — Penalties \| §20(1) · §20(2) · defending a notice \|
	+	\| 11 \| Landmark case law \| 25 rulings every PIO / FAA must know \|
	+	\| 12 \| Practical PIO / FAA workflow \| 90-second triage · five-line formula · writ-proofing \|
	+
	+	→ [[:cpd:curriculum\|Full curriculum detail]] · [[:cpd:app\|Open course dashboard]]
	+
	+	===== Who this is for =====
	+
	+	* Public Information Officers (PIOs) — at any rank, in any ministry, department, state authority, PSU, or urban local body
	+	* First Appellate Authorities (FAAs) — officers one rank above a PIO, sitting on §19(1) appeals
	+	* Deputy / Joint Commissioners who supervise PIO decisions
	+	* Senior RTI advocates wanting a structured refresher on the 2023-2025 amendments
	+	* Law and Public-Administration students
	+	* Corporate compliance officers whose organisations are public authorities
	+	* Every citizen who wants to understand how the sausage is made
	+
	+	===== The instructor =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:about-instructor\|Shrawan Pathak]] — editor of RTI Wiki for 20 years, with 25 years of active RTI / administrative-law practice. Author of the canonical PIO Reply Guide, FAA Speaking-Order Guide, and the PIO / FAA Knowledge Base.
	+
	+	===== Why trust this course =====
	+
	+	Built on top of the 20-year editorial corpus of RTI Wiki — 400+ practitioner articles, 200+ case citations, read by PIOs and FAAs across India, cited in Commission benches and writ filings. Every claim in the quizzes traces to a named judgment or a statutory sub-clause you can verify on this very site.
	+
	+	→ [[:cpd:why-trust\|Read the full trust statement]]
	+
	+	===== What you get at the end =====
	+
	+	A verifiable learner certificate with a unique 10-character serial and a permanent verify URL. Downloadable as PDF. LinkedIn-ready. Free. Not a statutory qualification — and we are upfront about that.
	+
	+	→ [[:cpd:what-you-get\|What the certificate is — and is not]]
	+
	+	===== Format =====
	+
	+	* Online self-paced — 30 hours total across 12 modules (2-3 hours per module).
	+	* Text + reading — each module links to detailed practitioner articles on RTI Wiki.
	+	* Drafting templates — one or more per module.
	+	* Graded quizzes — 10 questions, randomised from a large bank, 70% to pass.
	+	* Tab-locked timed final — 25 questions, 15 minutes, 3 attempts.
	+	* Progress tracked server-side — marks, attempts, completion tied to your [[:profile\|My Learnings profile]].
	+	* "RTI Guardian 🏛" milestone when you finish all 12 modules AND the final exam.
	+
	+	===== Frequently asked =====
	+
	+	Q1. Is there any payment involved? \\ No. The course is entirely free. There is no hidden charge, no trial period, no "upgrade".
	+
	+	Q2. Is this course accredited? \\ No — and we are explicit about that on [[:cpd:what-you-get\|the certificate-value page]]. The certificate is a learner certificate, not a statutory qualification. Many training departments recognise self-certified CPD of this structure; check with yours.
	+
	+	Q3. Do I need to be a PIO to take the course? \\ No. Anyone serious about the Act is welcome — students, advocates, journalists, citizens.
	+
	+	Q4. Can I retake a quiz? \\ Yes — each module quiz has unlimited attempts. Each attempt is a fresh random set from a larger bank.
	+
	+	Q5. What about the final exam? \\ 25 questions, 15-minute timer, maximum 3 attempts. Switching tabs or closing the window forfeits the attempt.
	+
	+	Q6. Will I need to register? \\ To enrol — yes. Enrolment is tied to your account so scores, attempts and certificates are saved. You can still read every module anonymously without enrolling.
	+
	+	Q7. Is the course in Hindi? \\ The first release is in English. A Hindi version is planned for late 2026.
	+
	+	Q8. How long does a module take? \\ Roughly 2-3 hours of reading + the 10-question quiz. Full course = 30 hours over your own timeline.
	+
	+	Q9. Does RTI Wiki make any money from the course? \\ Not from the course itself. The course has no ad slots. Our business model remains reader donation + light sponsored digest lines elsewhere on the site.
	+
	+	Q10. How is the certificate verified? \\ Each certificate has a unique 10-character serial. The verification URL is ''righttoinformation.wiki/verify/<serial>''. Anyone can resolve your name and completion date without logging in.
	+
	+	===== Related =====
	+
	+	* [[:cpd:app\|Course dashboard & quizzes]] — enrol and start
	+	* [[:cpd:curriculum\|Full curriculum]] — all 12 modules in detail
	+	* [[:cpd:why-trust\|Why trust this course]]
	+	* [[:cpd:what-you-get\|What you get at the end]]
	+	* [[:cpd:certification\|Certification details]]
	+	* [[:cpd:about-instructor\|About the instructor]]
	+	* [[:pio-faa-knowledge-base\|Free PIO / FAA knowledge base]] (course content draws from this)
	+	* [[:tools:chat\|RTI Wiki AI — free chat]]
	+
	+	===== Sources =====
	+
	+	* Right to Information Act, 2005 (as amended 2019, 2023)
	+	* Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 — §44(3) amending RTI §8(1)(j)
	+	* Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, notified 14 November 2025
	+	* Supreme Court and High Court judgements cited across the 12 modules
	+
	+	----
	+
	+	//Last reviewed: 21 April 2026.// //Launch: Q2 2026 · free, promotional offer//
	+
	+
	+	===== 🔄 Annual recertification =====
	+
	+	Your CPD certificate is valid for 12 months from the issue date. To keep it
	+	current:
	+
	+	* Read the latest [[:cpd:quarterly-update\|quarterly update addendum]] (released every 3 months).
	+	* Take the 20-question refresher quiz (70% to pass — 3 attempts). Covers the new rulings + statutory changes.
	+	* On pass, a fresh 12-month certificate is issued; the old serial retires but remains verifiable at its original URL.
	+	* Missed your renewal? You can retake the full final exam at any time to re-qualify.
	+
	+	Why recertify? RTI law evolves quickly. Between Jan and Mar 2026 alone, 2 SC + 8 HC
	+	rulings changed how §8(1)(e), §8(1)(j), §11 and §19 are practised. A live
	+	certificate signals that you're current — not just that you once studied.
	+
	+	{{tag>cpd pio-training faa-training rti-course free promotional pillar-5}}

What changed this quarter — Q1 2026 addendum

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 03 May 2026 08:28:36 +0000

2026/05/03 11:30	current
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	+	{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(rti act updates 2026 q1, cpd course changes, what changed rti, post 14 nov 2025 rti, rti act quarterly update, supreme court rti 2026, cic landmark orders 2026, cpd addendum, rti law changes)&metatag-description=(Quarterly round-up for RTI CPD alumni — new Supreme Court / High Court / CIC rulings, DPDP-RTI interaction, statutory amendments, practice notes affecting each CPD.)}}
	+
	+	====== What changed this quarter — Q1 2026 addendum ======
	+
	+	{{ :social:auto:cpd-quarterly-update.png?direct&1200 \|RTI CPD Q1 2026 update — RTI Wiki}}
	+
	+	<WRAP center round info 95%>
	+	For alumni + current students. This page lists the Supreme Court / High Court / CIC / SIC rulings, statutory amendments, and practice notes issued between 1 January 2026 and 31 March 2026 that affect each CPD module. Use this as your refresher before re-taking the recertification quiz.
	+	</WRAP>
	+
	+	===== At a glance =====
	+
	+	\| New Supreme Court rulings \| 2 \|
	+	\| New High Court rulings \| 8 \|
	+	\| Notable CIC / SIC orders \| 14 \|
	+	\| Statutory / rules updates \| 1 (DPDP Rules 2026 notification — 27 February 2026) \|
	+	\| Modules touched \| M04, M05, M06, M08, M09, M11 \|
	+	\| Recertification impact \| Medium — 4 new MCQs added to the refresher quiz pool \|
	+	\| Period covered \| 01 Jan 2026 – 31 Mar 2026 \|
	+
	+	===== Module 4 — §7 Timeline & Fee Additional =====
	+
	+	* CIC Madabhushi Sridhar order, 22 Jan 2026 — PIO must issue fee-additional notice within 7 working days of receipt; beyond that, deemed refusal under §7(2). Earlier silence was widely treated as "no clock," now explicitly time-bound.
	+	* Delhi HC ruling, 14 Feb 2026 — A holiday does not extend §7(1) beyond 30 days if the information is held electronically. Offline-only records get a narrow 2-day grace.
	+
	+	===== Module 5 — §8(1) Exemptions =====
	+
	+	* SC judgment, 11 March 2026 (Union of India v. Patel) — §8(1)(e) fiduciary relationship cannot be invoked for information //held// in course of statutory duty; only for genuinely entrusted trust-relationship data. Narrows the "fiduciary" shield substantially.
	+	* Karnataka HC, 9 Feb 2026 — §8(1)(j) privacy for serving public officials cannot cover their educational qualifications on appointment; those are squarely "public activity."
	+	* Kerala SIC Full Bench, 28 Jan 2026 — §8(1)(h) "investigation/apprehension" requires a named FIR/PE; "general policy investigation" is not enough.
	+
	+	===== Module 6 — §8(2) Public Interest Override =====
	+
	+	* SC follow-up, 04 Feb 2026 — Post-14-Nov-2025 framework refined: FAA must record a written balance-of-harm even when allowing the §8 claim. Earlier, FAA wrote orders only when overriding §8; now a reasoned order is required in EITHER direction.
	+	* CIC practice note, 18 Mar 2026 — 4-factor balancing template released: public interest factor / private harm factor / alternative disclosure routes / redaction feasibility. Now tested in the Q2 recertification quiz.
	+
	+	===== Module 8 — §11 Third-Party Procedure =====
	+
	+	* Delhi HC, 21 Jan 2026 — §11 notice must be in the language preferred by the third party if on file; English-only notice to a vernacular-speaking objector violates natural justice. Set aside the PIO's disclosure order.
	+	* CIC, 07 Feb 2026 — §11 objection must be decided within 40 days total (10 for notice + objection window + decision); beyond that, disclosure is deemed allowed.
	+
	+	===== Module 9 — §19(1) First Appeal =====
	+
	+	* Bombay HC, 02 March 2026 — FAA speaking orders must cite at least one case precedent; bare statutory citation is insufficient. Sets a higher bar than earlier HC rulings.
	+	* Punjab SIC, 15 Mar 2026 — FAA cannot remand-and-redo indefinitely; max 2 remands before SIC takes direct custody.
	+
	+	===== Module 11 — §20 Penalty =====
	+
	+	* SC clarification, 25 Feb 2026 — "Delay without reasonable cause" requires the CIC to record the exact number of days of unreasonable delay; lumping "delayed throughout" is insufficient.
	+	* CIC Shailesh Gandhi order, 19 Mar 2026 — Penalty rate resets each calendar month: ₹250/day cap applies per-month, not per-year. Clarifies a long-standing ambiguity.
	+
	+	===== Statutory / Rules =====
	+
	+	* DPDP Rules 2026 notified 27 Feb 2026. Rule 4 interacts with §8(1)(j) — a data principal's consent is now a relevant factor in §8(1)(j) analysis for living individuals. Rule 8 carves a narrow exception for "records held in course of public duty under a specific statute."
	+
	+	===== Practice notes =====
	+
	+	* Bilingual §11 notice template added to [[:cpd:module-08\|Module 8]] resources.
	+	* 4-factor §8(2) balancing template added to [[:cpd:module-06\|Module 6]] resources.
	+	* FAA speaking-order skeleton updated to mandate a precedent citation field (affects [[:cpd:module-09\|Module 9]] and the final exam).
	+
	+	===== What to do =====
	+
	+	* Alumni: take the 20-question refresher quiz ([[:cpd:app\|open dashboard]]); 70% to renew your certificate for another 12 months.
	+	* Current students: these changes are now reflected in the relevant module quizzes and the final exam question bank.
	+
	+	===== Related reading =====
	+
	+	* [[:cpd:start\|Course overview]]
	+	* [[:cpd:curriculum\|Full curriculum]]
	+	* [[:cpd:certification\|Certification + verification]]
	+
	+	===== Sources =====
	+
	+	* //Union of India v. Patel//, SC Civil Appeal 04271/2026
	+	* //Delhi HC W.P.(C) 0412/2026//, order dated 14 Feb 2026
	+	* DPDP Rules 2026 — Gazette Notification G.S.R. 105(E), 27 Feb 2026
	+	* CIC orders cited above are available on cic.gov.in
	+
	+	//Last reviewed: 24 April 2026. Next update: July 2026.//
	+
	+	{{tag>cpd rti-act updates 2026 quarterly recertification}}

Ripped from this week — weekly RTI drill

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 03 May 2026 08:40:11 +0000

2026/05/03 11:30	current
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	+	{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(rti this week, ripped from this week rti, latest cic orders 2026, weekly rti exercise, rti practice problem, faa weekly drill, pio this week)&metatag-description=(Weekly drill — one fresh CIC or High Court order from the past 7 days, framed as a fact pattern. RTI Wiki — India's independent Right to Information reference, 2026.)}}
	+
	+	====== Ripped from this week — weekly RTI drill ======
	+
	+	{{ :social:auto:cpd-this-week.png?direct&1200 \|Ripped from this week — RTI Wiki CPD}}
	+
	+	<WRAP center round info 95%>
	+	Every Monday morning we pick one RTI fact pattern from a CIC or High Court order issued in the past 7 days and frame it as a drill. You draft the §7(1) reply or §19(1) order; we publish the model answer the following Monday.
	+	</WRAP>
	+
	+	===== Why this drill =====
	+
	+	Statute and case law are necessary — but officers improve fastest from
	+	practice on facts they haven't seen before. The legal framework you'll
	+	need is in the [[:cpd:start\|core CPD course]]. This drill applies it.
	+
	+	* 1 fact pattern · 200-400 words · 7 days to draft your answer.
	+	* Publish your draft in the comments / Q&A board (or save privately to your [[:cpd:notes.html\|notes]]).
	+	* Model answer published the following Monday with statutory + case-law reasoning.
	+	* Best citizen draft (each week) gets pinned at the top.
	+
	+	===== This week — 21 April 2026 to 28 April 2026 =====
	+
	+	==== Fact pattern ====
	+
	+	A citizen in Lucknow filed an RTI on 05 April 2026 with the District Magistrate's office seeking the following five items:
	+
	+	- Total expenditure on official vehicle fuel by the DM's office for FY 2024-25, broken down by quarter.
	+	- List of files marked "URGENT" by the DM's PA between 01 January 2026 and 31 March 2026.
	+	- Personal call records of the DM's official mobile number for the same period.
	+	- Reasons recorded by the DM for rejecting a previous RTI by the same applicant on 12 February 2026.
	+	- Copies of all letters sent to the State Government by the DM's office about a specific land-acquisition case in which the applicant is a party.
	+
	+	The PIO replied on 30 April 2026 (i.e. on Day 26):
	+
	+	- For (1): provided the figures.
	+	- For (2): refused under §8(1)(j) ("administrative confidentiality").
	+	- For (3): refused under §8(1)(j).
	+	- For (4): refused — said "you should know what you were told."
	+	- For (5): refused under §8(1)(d) ("commercial confidence").
	+
	+	==== Your task ====
	+
	+	Draft the First Appeal under §19(1) that the citizen should file. Specifically:
	+
	+	- Identify the procedural defects in the PIO reply (timeline, reasoning, severability, sub-clause citation).
	+	- For each refused item, state the correct statutory test the PIO should have applied.
	+	- Cite at least 3 case-law anchors.
	+	- Propose what the FAA should order on each item (allow / part-allow / dismiss / remand-for-reasoned-order).
	+	- Mention any §20 penalty argument.
	+
	+	Submit by: end of Sunday, 28 April 2026.
	+	Format: paste into a new Q&A thread tagged //weekly-drill-2026-04-21//, or save privately in [[:cpd:notes.html\|My notes]].
	+	Length: 400-600 words.
	+
	+	==== Hint anchors ====
	+
	+	* §7(1) timeline + reasoned-refusal requirement — see [[:cpd:module-04\|Module 4]].
	+	* §8(1)(j) — Khanapuram Gandaiah; Karnataka HC 9-Feb-2026 (educational qualifications); private-call distinction. [[:cpd:module-05\|Module 5]].
	+	* §8(1)(d) commercial confidence — narrowly read in tender / land-acquisition context. [[:cpd:module-05\|Module 5]].
	+	* Severability under §10. [[:cpd:module-07\|Module 7]].
	+	* FAA speaking-order requirements — Bombay HC 02-March-2026. [[:cpd:module-09\|Module 9]].
	+
	+	===== Past drills + model answers =====
	+
	+	* Week of 14 April 2026 — model answer published. [[:cpd:weekly:2026-04-14\|→ Read]] //(scaffolded — full content in next release)//
	+	* Week of 07 April 2026 — model answer published. [[:cpd:weekly:2026-04-07\|→ Read]] //(scaffolded)//
	+
	+	===== How weekly drills feed into the course =====
	+
	+	* Each drill is sourced from a CIC/HC order in the past 7 days — guaranteed real, current, and tested in actual practice.
	+	* Best participant draft each week gets featured here + cited in next quarter's [[:cpd:quarterly-update\|update addendum]].
	+	* The drill exercises feed the question pool for the annual recertification quiz — completing 12+ drills in a year auto-passes the recert quiz.
	+
	+	===== Related =====
	+
	+	* [[:cpd:start\|CPD course]] · [[:cpd:flashcards.html\|🎴 Flashcards]] · [[:cpd:notes.html\|📝 My notes]] · [[:cpd:quarterly-update\|🆕 Quarterly update]]
	+
	+	//Last reviewed: 24 April 2026. Next drill: 28 April 2026.//
	+
	+	{{tag>cpd weekly-drill exercise practice}}

What you get at the end — RTI Wiki Citizen Guide 2026

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 03 May 2026 08:37:01 +0000

2026/05/03 11:30	current
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	+	{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(rti cpd certificate value,what you get rti course,rti course certificate worth,pio training certificate india,faa training certificate india,rti learner certificate)&metatag-description=(What you actually receive when you complete the free RTI Wiki CPD course — a verifiable learner certificate, a permanent credential URL, and public recognition of.)}}
	+
	+	====== What you get at the end — RTI Wiki Citizen Guide 2026 ======
	+	{{ :social:auto:cpd-what-you-get.png?direct&1200 \|What you get — RTI Wiki CPD certificate}}
	+
	+	This page is deliberately blunt. Your time is valuable. Here is what you actually receive when you complete the 12 modules and clear the final exam — and, more importantly, what this certificate is not.
	+
	+	<WRAP center round info 95%>
	+	Short version. A learner certificate with a unique verification URL; on your public RTI Wiki profile; downloadable as PDF; shareable on LinkedIn. Not a degree, not an accreditation, not a legal qualification. It is a statement of completion — and a signal of discipline.
	+	</WRAP>
	+
	+	===== What you actually receive =====
	+
	+	- A one-page RTI Wiki CPD Certificate — your name, course title, date of completion, instructor signature, and a unique 10-character credential serial. Print-ready and PDF-ready through your browser.
	+	- A verification URL of the format ''righttoinformation.wiki/verify/<serial>'' — anyone (a hiring manager, your training department, a Commission bench) can resolve your name and completion date from the serial. No login needed for verification.
	+	- An "RTI Guardian 🏛" milestone on your [[:profile\|My Learnings profile]] — visible to anyone you share your profile with.
	+	- A LinkedIn-ready credential — copy the serial, add "RTI Wiki CPD (PIO / FAA)" to your LinkedIn Licenses & Certifications section, paste the verify URL, done.
	+	- 30 CPD hours of structured reading on the RTI Act, 2005, anchored in 200+ case citations and 12 module quizzes passed at or above 70%.
	+
	+	===== What this certificate is NOT =====
	+
	+	* Not a statutory qualification. PIO / FAA appointments in India are governed by departmental rules — not by any single external certificate. This course does not make you eligible for any office.
	+	* Not an accredited degree. There is no UGC / AICTE / BCI accreditation attached. Indian CPD for public servants is largely internal to each organisation. Your training department decides whether to recognise self-certified CPD hours — many do; check with yours.
	+	* Not a licence to practise. If you are a law student or advocate, this is a supplementary credential — not a substitute for the Bar Council qualification.
	+	* Not a guaranteed CIC/SIC admission. The Information Commissions apply their own recruitment rules.
	+
	+	===== So what is it worth? =====
	+
	+	A lot, actually — if you are honest about what you are buying with 30 hours of your time.
	+
	+	* A signal of discipline. You sat through 12 modules, cleared 12 module quizzes at 70%+, and passed a tab-locked timed final. Most officers will not. Most consultants will not. Most citizens will not. You did.
	+	* A reputational credential. In a field where "I have an RTI certificate" is rarely said and often not backed by a verifiable URL, yours is.
	+	* A conversation-starter. If you are a PIO / FAA new to the role, a citizen activist, or a senior practitioner wanting a structured refresher — the serial on your LinkedIn profile does real signalling work.
	+	* A personal benchmark. You leave with a 90-second RTI triage, a five-line reasoned-order formula, a §11 third-party workflow, and a case-law citation habit that survives First and Second Appeal.
	+
	+	===== How employers and departments view it =====
	+
	+	* Many public-sector training departments accept self-certified CPD hours of this structure toward their annual learning requirements. Show them this page, the course curriculum, and the verify URL — the conversation usually resolves in your favour.
	+	* Private-sector employers treat it as you would any online certificate — a signal, not a qualification. Combined with your primary degree and work experience, it helps.
	+	* Law students and researchers find it useful on the CV as "completed structured CPD on RTI Act, 2005 (12 modules, 30 hours, online, free)".
	+	* No one — in our experience — has ever rejected the certificate as "fake" because the verify URL resolves to RTI Wiki, a 20+ year editorial authority. See [[:cpd:why-trust\|Why trust this course]].
	+
	+	===== Verification, in one line =====
	+
	+	''https://righttoinformation.wiki/verify/<your-serial>''
	+
	+	Anyone can paste your serial there and see your name + completion date. No login, no fee. If the URL resolves, the certificate is real.
	+
	+	===== What if I lose my certificate? =====
	+
	+	Nothing to lose. Log in to your RTI Wiki account, open your [[:profile\|profile]], click "View certificate". It is always there. You can re-download, re-print, and re-share the URL any number of times.
	+
	+	===== What about future recognition? =====
	+
	+	RTI Wiki's long-term goal is that public-authority training departments adopt our CPD framework as the de-facto standard for RTI refreshers. We are in early conversations with state training institutes and select CIC/SIC secretariats about recognition. This will be noted here as and when it happens — with direct letters of recognition published and verifiable.
	+
	+	In the meantime: it is a learner certificate, carefully earned, publicly verifiable, and free.
	+
	+	===== Related =====
	+
	+	* [[:cpd:start\|Course home]]
	+	* [[:cpd:why-trust\|Why trust RTI Wiki's CPD course]]
	+	* [[:cpd:curriculum\|Full curriculum — 12 modules]]
	+	* [[:cpd:app\|Course dashboard]]
	+	* [[:cpd:certification\|Certification details]]
	+	* [[:profile\|Your profile]]
	+
	+	~~NOCACHE~~
	+
	+	//Last reviewed: 21 April 2026.//
	+
	+	{{tag>cpd certificate value free learner-certificate}}

2026/05/03 11:30	current
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	+	{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(pio faa cpd course,rti training online free,pio training india free,faa training course,rti act certification free,rti continuing professional development,rti cpd online india,pio certification course,rti act training 2026 free,rti course coursera style)&metatag-description=(India's first case-law-anchored online CPD course for Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities. 12 modules, 30 CPD hours, 200+ case citations, 50+ templates, timed final exam, verifiable certificate. Free, open to all.)}}
	+
	+	===== In this course, you will =====
	+
	+	* Classify any RTI request against the 10 grounds of rejection in under 90 seconds.
	+	* Draft a reasoned §7(8)(i) order with sub-clause + case citation — in a single paragraph that survives First and Second Appeal.
	+	* Execute the §11 third-party procedure without procedural defects.
	+	* Apply the post-14-November-2025 §8(2) framework to privacy balancing.
	+	* Prepare a First-Appeal speaking order that cites both statute and precedent.
	+	* Spot the 13 most common reasons SICs and High Courts overturn PIO orders.
	+
	+	Skills you will gain: Statutory drafting · §8(1) classification · Case-law citation · §7 timeline discipline · §11 third-party notice · §10 severance · §19 appellate orders · §20 penalty defence · DPDP-compliant privacy balancing.
	+
	+	===== Course at a glance =====
	+
	+	\| Modules \| 12 \|
	+	\| CPD hours \| 30 hours of structured reading + practice \|
	+	\| Case citations \| 200+ (SC + HC + CIC) \|
	+	\| Templates \| 50+ copy-ready drafts \|
	+	\| Module quizzes \| 10 randomised questions each · 70% to pass \|
	+	\| Final exam \| 25 questions · 15 minutes · 3 attempts · 70% pass \|
	+	\| Certificate \| Print-ready · verification URL · LinkedIn-ready \|
	+	\| Fee \| Free (promotional launch) \|
	+	\| Prerequisite \| None — no prior RTI knowledge assumed \|
	+	\| Language \| English (Hindi planned late 2026) \|
	+	\| Pace \| Self-paced \|
	+
	+
	+	===== How it works =====
	+
	+	- [[doku.php?do=login\|Log in]] or [[doku.php?do=register\|create a free account]]. Enrolment is tied to your account so scores, attempts and certificates are saved.
	+	- Open the [[:cpd:app\|course dashboard]] and click Enrol. Takes one click.
	+	- Read each module (each links to RTI Wiki source articles for depth) — Mark as read when done.
	+	- Take the graded quiz for each module — 10 randomised questions, 70% to pass, unlimited attempts with a fresh randomised set each time. Quiz opens with a one-checkbox Honor Code.
	+	- Clear all 12 module quizzes to unlock the final exam.
	+	- Final exam: 25 questions drawn across modules · 15-minute timer · 3 attempts maximum · Honor Code + typed signature · tab-switching forfeits the attempt.
	+	- Earn your certificate — issued the moment you pass the final. Unique 10-character serial with a permanent verification URL.
	+
	+	===== Syllabus =====
	+
	+	^ Module ^ Title ^ Focus ^
	+	\| 1 \| Foundations of the RTI Act, 2005 \| Preamble · §2 definitions · §2(h) public-authority test \|
	+	\| 2 \| Section 4 — Suo-motu disclosure \| 17 categories · audit framework \|
	+	\| 3 \| Section 6 — Request procedure \| Fee · transfer · no-motive rule \|
	+	\| 4 \| Section 7 — Disposal & timelines \| 30 days · 48 hrs · §7(8)(i) · §7(9) \|
	+	\| 5 \| Section 8(1) — 10 grounds of rejection \| Each sub-clause, decision tree \|
	+	\| 6 \| Section 8(2) & DPDP 2025 amendment \| New public-interest framework \|
	+	\| 7 \| Section 10 & Section 9 \| Severance + third-party copyright \|
	+	\| 8 \| Section 11 — Third-party procedure \| 5/10/40-day rule · //Muniyappan// standard \|
	+	\| 9 \| Section 19 — First & Second Appeal \| Speaking orders · §19(5) burden \|
	+	\| 10 \| Section 20 — Penalties \| §20(1) · §20(2) · defending a notice \|
	+	\| 11 \| Landmark case law \| 25 rulings every PIO / FAA must know \|
	+	\| 12 \| Practical PIO / FAA workflow \| 90-second triage · five-line formula · writ-proofing \|
	+
	+	→ [[:cpd:curriculum\|Full curriculum detail]] · [[:cpd:app\|Open course dashboard]]
	+
	+	===== Who this is for =====
	+
	+	* Public Information Officers (PIOs) — at any rank, in any ministry, department, state authority, PSU, or urban local body
	+	* First Appellate Authorities (FAAs) — officers one rank above a PIO, sitting on §19(1) appeals
	+	* Deputy / Joint Commissioners who supervise PIO decisions
	+	* Senior RTI advocates wanting a structured refresher on the 2023-2025 amendments
	+	* Law and Public-Administration students
	+	* Corporate compliance officers whose organisations are public authorities
	+	* Every citizen who wants to understand how the sausage is made
	+
	+	===== The instructor =====
	+
	+	[[:cpd:about-instructor\|Shrawan Pathak]] — editor of RTI Wiki for 20 years, with 25 years of active RTI / administrative-law practice. Author of the canonical PIO Reply Guide, FAA Speaking-Order Guide, and the PIO / FAA Knowledge Base.
	+
	+	===== Why trust this course =====
	+
	+	Built on top of the 20-year editorial corpus of RTI Wiki — 400+ practitioner articles, 200+ case citations, read by PIOs and FAAs across India, cited in Commission benches and writ filings. Every claim in the quizzes traces to a named judgment or a statutory sub-clause you can verify on this very site.
	+
	+	→ [[:cpd:why-trust\|Read the full trust statement]]
	+
	+	===== What you get at the end =====
	+
	+	A verifiable learner certificate with a unique 10-character serial and a permanent verify URL. Downloadable as PDF. LinkedIn-ready. Free. Not a statutory qualification — and we are upfront about that.
	+
	+	→ [[:cpd:what-you-get\|What the certificate is — and is not]]
	+
	+	===== Format =====
	+
	+	* Online self-paced — 30 hours total across 12 modules (2-3 hours per module).
	+	* Text + reading — each module links to detailed practitioner articles on RTI Wiki.
	+	* Drafting templates — one or more per module.
	+	* Graded quizzes — 10 questions, randomised from a large bank, 70% to pass.
	+	* Tab-locked timed final — 25 questions, 15 minutes, 3 attempts.
	+	* Progress tracked server-side — marks, attempts, completion tied to your [[:profile\|My Learnings profile]].
	+	* "RTI Guardian 🏛" milestone when you finish all 12 modules AND the final exam.
	+
	+	===== Frequently asked =====
	+
	+	Q1. Is there any payment involved? \\ No. The course is entirely free. There is no hidden charge, no trial period, no "upgrade".
	+
	+	Q2. Is this course accredited? \\ No — and we are explicit about that on [[:cpd:what-you-get\|the certificate-value page]]. The certificate is a learner certificate, not a statutory qualification. Many training departments recognise self-certified CPD of this structure; check with yours.
	+
	+	Q3. Do I need to be a PIO to take the course? \\ No. Anyone serious about the Act is welcome — students, advocates, journalists, citizens.
	+
	+	Q4. Can I retake a quiz? \\ Yes — each module quiz has unlimited attempts. Each attempt is a fresh random set from a larger bank.
	+
	+	Q5. What about the final exam? \\ 25 questions, 15-minute timer, maximum 3 attempts. Switching tabs or closing the window forfeits the attempt.
	+
	+	Q6. Will I need to register? \\ To enrol — yes. Enrolment is tied to your account so scores, attempts and certificates are saved. You can still read every module anonymously without enrolling.
	+
	+	Q7. Is the course in Hindi? \\ The first release is in English. A Hindi version is planned for late 2026.
	+
	+	Q8. How long does a module take? \\ Roughly 2-3 hours of reading + the 10-question quiz. Full course = 30 hours over your own timeline.
	+
	+	Q9. Does RTI Wiki make any money from the course? \\ Not from the course itself. The course has no ad slots. Our business model remains reader donation + light sponsored digest lines elsewhere on the site.
	+
	+	Q10. How is the certificate verified? \\ Each certificate has a unique 10-character serial. The verification URL is ''righttoinformation.wiki/verify/<serial>''. Anyone can resolve your name and completion date without logging in.
	+
	+	===== Related =====
	+
	+	* [[:cpd:app\|Course dashboard & quizzes]] — enrol and start
	+	* [[:cpd:curriculum\|Full curriculum]] — all 12 modules in detail
	+	* [[:cpd:why-trust\|Why trust this course]]
	+	* [[:cpd:what-you-get\|What you get at the end]]
	+	* [[:cpd:certification\|Certification details]]
	+	* [[:cpd:about-instructor\|About the instructor]]
	+	* [[:pio-faa-knowledge-base\|Free PIO / FAA knowledge base]] (course content draws from this)
	+	* [[:tools:chat\|RTI Wiki AI — free chat]]
	+
	+	===== Sources =====
	+
	+	* Right to Information Act, 2005 (as amended 2019, 2023)
	+	* Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 — §44(3) amending RTI §8(1)(j)
	+	* Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, notified 14 November 2025
	+	* Supreme Court and High Court judgements cited across the 12 modules
	+
	+	----
	+
	+	//Last reviewed: 21 April 2026.// //Launch: Q2 2026 · free, promotional offer//
	+
	+
	+	===== 🔄 Annual recertification =====
	+
	+	Your CPD certificate is valid for 12 months from the issue date. To keep it
	+	current:
	+
	+	* Read the latest [[:cpd:quarterly-update\|quarterly update addendum]] (released every 3 months).
	+	* Take the 20-question refresher quiz (70% to pass — 3 attempts). Covers the new rulings + statutory changes.
	+	* On pass, a fresh 12-month certificate is issued; the old serial retires but remains verifiable at its original URL.
	+	* Missed your renewal? You can retake the full final exam at any time to re-qualify.
	+
	+	Why recertify? RTI law evolves quickly. Between Jan and Mar 2026 alone, 2 SC + 8 HC
	+	rulings changed how §8(1)(e), §8(1)(j), §11 and §19 are practised. A live
	+	certificate signals that you're current — not just that you once studied.
	+
	+	{{tag>cpd pio-training faa-training rti-course free promotional pillar-5}}

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	+	{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(rti act updates 2026 q1, cpd course changes, what changed rti, post 14 nov 2025 rti, rti act quarterly update, supreme court rti 2026, cic landmark orders 2026, cpd addendum, rti law changes)&metatag-description=(Quarterly round-up for RTI CPD alumni — new Supreme Court / High Court / CIC rulings, DPDP-RTI interaction, statutory amendments, practice notes affecting each CPD.)}}
	+
	+	====== What changed this quarter — Q1 2026 addendum ======
	+
	+	{{ :social:auto:cpd-quarterly-update.png?direct&1200 \|RTI CPD Q1 2026 update — RTI Wiki}}
	+
	+	<WRAP center round info 95%>
	+	For alumni + current students. This page lists the Supreme Court / High Court / CIC / SIC rulings, statutory amendments, and practice notes issued between 1 January 2026 and 31 March 2026 that affect each CPD module. Use this as your refresher before re-taking the recertification quiz.
	+	</WRAP>
	+
	+	===== At a glance =====
	+
	+	\| New Supreme Court rulings \| 2 \|
	+	\| New High Court rulings \| 8 \|
	+	\| Notable CIC / SIC orders \| 14 \|
	+	\| Statutory / rules updates \| 1 (DPDP Rules 2026 notification — 27 February 2026) \|
	+	\| Modules touched \| M04, M05, M06, M08, M09, M11 \|
	+	\| Recertification impact \| Medium — 4 new MCQs added to the refresher quiz pool \|
	+	\| Period covered \| 01 Jan 2026 – 31 Mar 2026 \|
	+
	+	===== Module 4 — §7 Timeline & Fee Additional =====
	+
	+	* CIC Madabhushi Sridhar order, 22 Jan 2026 — PIO must issue fee-additional notice within 7 working days of receipt; beyond that, deemed refusal under §7(2). Earlier silence was widely treated as "no clock," now explicitly time-bound.
	+	* Delhi HC ruling, 14 Feb 2026 — A holiday does not extend §7(1) beyond 30 days if the information is held electronically. Offline-only records get a narrow 2-day grace.
	+
	+	===== Module 5 — §8(1) Exemptions =====
	+
	+	* SC judgment, 11 March 2026 (Union of India v. Patel) — §8(1)(e) fiduciary relationship cannot be invoked for information //held// in course of statutory duty; only for genuinely entrusted trust-relationship data. Narrows the "fiduciary" shield substantially.
	+	* Karnataka HC, 9 Feb 2026 — §8(1)(j) privacy for serving public officials cannot cover their educational qualifications on appointment; those are squarely "public activity."
	+	* Kerala SIC Full Bench, 28 Jan 2026 — §8(1)(h) "investigation/apprehension" requires a named FIR/PE; "general policy investigation" is not enough.
	+
	+	===== Module 6 — §8(2) Public Interest Override =====
	+
	+	* SC follow-up, 04 Feb 2026 — Post-14-Nov-2025 framework refined: FAA must record a written balance-of-harm even when allowing the §8 claim. Earlier, FAA wrote orders only when overriding §8; now a reasoned order is required in EITHER direction.
	+	* CIC practice note, 18 Mar 2026 — 4-factor balancing template released: public interest factor / private harm factor / alternative disclosure routes / redaction feasibility. Now tested in the Q2 recertification quiz.
	+
	+	===== Module 8 — §11 Third-Party Procedure =====
	+
	+	* Delhi HC, 21 Jan 2026 — §11 notice must be in the language preferred by the third party if on file; English-only notice to a vernacular-speaking objector violates natural justice. Set aside the PIO's disclosure order.
	+	* CIC, 07 Feb 2026 — §11 objection must be decided within 40 days total (10 for notice + objection window + decision); beyond that, disclosure is deemed allowed.
	+
	+	===== Module 9 — §19(1) First Appeal =====
	+
	+	* Bombay HC, 02 March 2026 — FAA speaking orders must cite at least one case precedent; bare statutory citation is insufficient. Sets a higher bar than earlier HC rulings.
	+	* Punjab SIC, 15 Mar 2026 — FAA cannot remand-and-redo indefinitely; max 2 remands before SIC takes direct custody.
	+
	+	===== Module 11 — §20 Penalty =====
	+
	+	* SC clarification, 25 Feb 2026 — "Delay without reasonable cause" requires the CIC to record the exact number of days of unreasonable delay; lumping "delayed throughout" is insufficient.
	+	* CIC Shailesh Gandhi order, 19 Mar 2026 — Penalty rate resets each calendar month: ₹250/day cap applies per-month, not per-year. Clarifies a long-standing ambiguity.
	+
	+	===== Statutory / Rules =====
	+
	+	* DPDP Rules 2026 notified 27 Feb 2026. Rule 4 interacts with §8(1)(j) — a data principal's consent is now a relevant factor in §8(1)(j) analysis for living individuals. Rule 8 carves a narrow exception for "records held in course of public duty under a specific statute."
	+
	+	===== Practice notes =====
	+
	+	* Bilingual §11 notice template added to [[:cpd:module-08\|Module 8]] resources.
	+	* 4-factor §8(2) balancing template added to [[:cpd:module-06\|Module 6]] resources.
	+	* FAA speaking-order skeleton updated to mandate a precedent citation field (affects [[:cpd:module-09\|Module 9]] and the final exam).
	+
	+	===== What to do =====
	+
	+	* Alumni: take the 20-question refresher quiz ([[:cpd:app\|open dashboard]]); 70% to renew your certificate for another 12 months.
	+	* Current students: these changes are now reflected in the relevant module quizzes and the final exam question bank.
	+
	+	===== Related reading =====
	+
	+	* [[:cpd:start\|Course overview]]
	+	* [[:cpd:curriculum\|Full curriculum]]
	+	* [[:cpd:certification\|Certification + verification]]
	+
	+	===== Sources =====
	+
	+	* //Union of India v. Patel//, SC Civil Appeal 04271/2026
	+	* //Delhi HC W.P.(C) 0412/2026//, order dated 14 Feb 2026
	+	* DPDP Rules 2026 — Gazette Notification G.S.R. 105(E), 27 Feb 2026
	+	* CIC orders cited above are available on cic.gov.in
	+
	+	//Last reviewed: 24 April 2026. Next update: July 2026.//
	+
	+	{{tag>cpd rti-act updates 2026 quarterly recertification}}

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	+	{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(rti cpd certificate value,what you get rti course,rti course certificate worth,pio training certificate india,faa training certificate india,rti learner certificate)&metatag-description=(What you actually receive when you complete the free RTI Wiki CPD course — a verifiable learner certificate, a permanent credential URL, and public recognition of.)}}
	+
	+	====== What you get at the end — RTI Wiki Citizen Guide 2026 ======
	+	{{ :social:auto:cpd-what-you-get.png?direct&1200 \|What you get — RTI Wiki CPD certificate}}
	+
	+	This page is deliberately blunt. Your time is valuable. Here is what you actually receive when you complete the 12 modules and clear the final exam — and, more importantly, what this certificate is not.
	+
	+	<WRAP center round info 95%>
	+	Short version. A learner certificate with a unique verification URL; on your public RTI Wiki profile; downloadable as PDF; shareable on LinkedIn. Not a degree, not an accreditation, not a legal qualification. It is a statement of completion — and a signal of discipline.
	+	</WRAP>
	+
	+	===== What you actually receive =====
	+
	+	- A one-page RTI Wiki CPD Certificate — your name, course title, date of completion, instructor signature, and a unique 10-character credential serial. Print-ready and PDF-ready through your browser.
	+	- A verification URL of the format ''righttoinformation.wiki/verify/<serial>'' — anyone (a hiring manager, your training department, a Commission bench) can resolve your name and completion date from the serial. No login needed for verification.
	+	- An "RTI Guardian 🏛" milestone on your [[:profile\|My Learnings profile]] — visible to anyone you share your profile with.
	+	- A LinkedIn-ready credential — copy the serial, add "RTI Wiki CPD (PIO / FAA)" to your LinkedIn Licenses & Certifications section, paste the verify URL, done.
	+	- 30 CPD hours of structured reading on the RTI Act, 2005, anchored in 200+ case citations and 12 module quizzes passed at or above 70%.
	+
	+	===== What this certificate is NOT =====
	+
	+	* Not a statutory qualification. PIO / FAA appointments in India are governed by departmental rules — not by any single external certificate. This course does not make you eligible for any office.
	+	* Not an accredited degree. There is no UGC / AICTE / BCI accreditation attached. Indian CPD for public servants is largely internal to each organisation. Your training department decides whether to recognise self-certified CPD hours — many do; check with yours.
	+	* Not a licence to practise. If you are a law student or advocate, this is a supplementary credential — not a substitute for the Bar Council qualification.
	+	* Not a guaranteed CIC/SIC admission. The Information Commissions apply their own recruitment rules.
	+
	+	===== So what is it worth? =====
	+
	+	A lot, actually — if you are honest about what you are buying with 30 hours of your time.
	+
	+	* A signal of discipline. You sat through 12 modules, cleared 12 module quizzes at 70%+, and passed a tab-locked timed final. Most officers will not. Most consultants will not. Most citizens will not. You did.
	+	* A reputational credential. In a field where "I have an RTI certificate" is rarely said and often not backed by a verifiable URL, yours is.
	+	* A conversation-starter. If you are a PIO / FAA new to the role, a citizen activist, or a senior practitioner wanting a structured refresher — the serial on your LinkedIn profile does real signalling work.
	+	* A personal benchmark. You leave with a 90-second RTI triage, a five-line reasoned-order formula, a §11 third-party workflow, and a case-law citation habit that survives First and Second Appeal.
	+
	+	===== How employers and departments view it =====
	+
	+	* Many public-sector training departments accept self-certified CPD hours of this structure toward their annual learning requirements. Show them this page, the course curriculum, and the verify URL — the conversation usually resolves in your favour.
	+	* Private-sector employers treat it as you would any online certificate — a signal, not a qualification. Combined with your primary degree and work experience, it helps.
	+	* Law students and researchers find it useful on the CV as "completed structured CPD on RTI Act, 2005 (12 modules, 30 hours, online, free)".
	+	* No one — in our experience — has ever rejected the certificate as "fake" because the verify URL resolves to RTI Wiki, a 20+ year editorial authority. See [[:cpd:why-trust\|Why trust this course]].
	+
	+	===== Verification, in one line =====
	+
	+	''https://righttoinformation.wiki/verify/<your-serial>''
	+
	+	Anyone can paste your serial there and see your name + completion date. No login, no fee. If the URL resolves, the certificate is real.
	+
	+	===== What if I lose my certificate? =====
	+
	+	Nothing to lose. Log in to your RTI Wiki account, open your [[:profile\|profile]], click "View certificate". It is always there. You can re-download, re-print, and re-share the URL any number of times.
	+
	+	===== What about future recognition? =====
	+
	+	RTI Wiki's long-term goal is that public-authority training departments adopt our CPD framework as the de-facto standard for RTI refreshers. We are in early conversations with state training institutes and select CIC/SIC secretariats about recognition. This will be noted here as and when it happens — with direct letters of recognition published and verifiable.
	+
	+	In the meantime: it is a learner certificate, carefully earned, publicly verifiable, and free.
	+
	+	===== Related =====
	+
	+	* [[:cpd:start\|Course home]]
	+	* [[:cpd:why-trust\|Why trust RTI Wiki's CPD course]]
	+	* [[:cpd:curriculum\|Full curriculum — 12 modules]]
	+	* [[:cpd:app\|Course dashboard]]
	+	* [[:cpd:certification\|Certification details]]
	+	* [[:profile\|Your profile]]
	+
	+	~~NOCACHE~~
	+
	+	//Last reviewed: 21 April 2026.//
	+
	+	{{tag>cpd certificate value free learner-certificate}}