Certificate Course in RTI
Wednesday, 01 September 2010 10:18
Article Index
Certificate Course in RTI
Prospectus
Course Schedule
Course Syllabus
Apply Online
All Pages

Click here to download
our free CD containing the
"Compilation of various RTI Acts, Rules and Comparative Statements"

Certificate Course in Right to Information  (CCRTI)

Overview

The Right to Information Act 2005 envisages a practical regime of transparency and accountability in the working of Public Authorities.  It aims at empowerment of the common citizen with ideas and information to seek entitlements and to participate in the process of democratic governance.  
This Act fosters an informed citizenry and participative decision making process giving right to Citizen to seek information, inspect work or record, take samples, and monitor progress and performance of Governance. This Act has dismantled the framework of secrecy and now providing information is the rule and secrecy is an exception.
YASHADA, an apex training institute of Government of Maharashtra has always been on the forefront with its expertise in capacity building and has worked as National Implementing Agency -in Capacity Building for Access to Information.  .
To facilitate enjoyable and useful learning at the convenience of learners, this Certificate Course in RTI is designed by taking into consideration the need of RTI Training for All . While designing this course we have carefully viewed difficulties being faced by both ‘Supply side' i.e. Public Authorities and its officers- and ‘Demand side' i.e. Citizen, Media, NGOs, Students and all sections of society. We have designed a distance mode Certificate Course in Right to Information Act 2005 to disseminate knowledge, procedural skills and attitude required for transparent and accountable RTI regime.

Course Highlights

  • Design by taking into consideration, problems faced by the citizens and Public Authorities.
  • Flexible learning methodology combining traditional face-to-face lectures with open distance learning approach.
  • The programme is blend of theoretical understanding and practical usage of Right to Information Act, 2005.
  • Convenient modalities of the Distance Learning for all students.
  • Two comprehensive contact sessions at Yashada or at convenient location.
  • YASHADA's Certificate after successful completion of the Course.

Prospectus

Who can enroll for the course ? 
This course is designed  by  taking into account awareness and training  needs of  all stakeholders of  Right to Information Act 2005 and this course will enable participants  to :    

  • Increase  knowledge about and understanding of the various provisions of the Act and their implications;
  • Improve  skills  for effective implementation of the provisions of the Act; and
  • Improve legal, procedural  and process literacy . Improve participative skills and attitude .

    Any person above the age of 15 with functional literacy can enroll for this Course. This Certificate course would be useful for all stakeholders such as :
The Information Providers:
a)     Persons Public Authorities
b)     Public Information Officers
c)     Assistant Public Information Officers
d)     Appellate Authorities e)     Other Government Officials  
The Information Seekers:
a)     Citizen
b)     Representatives from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) / Community- Based Organisations (CBOs) / Non-Government Organisations
c)     Representatives from Media Organisations - national, regional and local
d)     Social activists and others. e)     Students/Researchers  

Total number of seats available for each batch  : 30 Medium of Instruction Marathi / English Certificate Course Details
Sr. No. Course Code Course Title Credits * Duration of Contact Total Course Duration
1 RTI Certificate Course in Right to Information 5 2  Day 3 months

* One credit is equivalent to 12 hours of student study time. The study time includes the time taken for reading and understanding print/material/e-learning material, attending contact sessions, visiting offices of Public Authorities, making RTI applications, appeals, inspecting records, proactive disclosures and conducting audits.  

Eligibility Criteria The candidate applying for certificate course should have completed 15 years of age and should have functional literacy.  

Details of Course fee
  • Course Fee shall be Rs. 2000/- ( Distance Mode Course)
  • Course fee is inclusive of admission fee, cost of reading material, cost of contact sessions, stationery, postage, examination fee, faculty charges etc.
  • Students to bear their travel and other expenses for attending contact sessions, visit to offices of Public Authorities and attending Examination.
Mode of Payment Course Fee/ Re-examination fee etc. to be paid by Demand Draft drawn in favor of Director General, YASHADA, Pune payable at Pune .   Reading Material Students whose admission is confirmed will be provided with modular reading material both in book form and on CD.   How to apply Students can submit application for a\online on www.yashada.org/rticc and get a print out of submitted form . Past a passport photograph and along with DD submit the application to The Director, Center for Public Policy, Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration, (YASHADA), Rajbhavan Complex, Baner Road, Pune-411 007. Course helpline For any course related inquiry, students may call Course Co-ordinator on 020-25608130 or 25608216.  
Assessment
The course will be assessed by  three modes  

Mode Nature of Test Work to be done Marks
Theoretical Test at the end of second contact session Attempt Objective Test 10
Practical Implementation Perspective 1. Use of RTI Act -- Use of RTI Act for getting information of public interest by making RTI application, conducting inspection or taking sample. If information is not provided make an appeal. At the end prepare and submit a report. 10
Accountability  Perspective 2. Audit of Proactive
Disclosure  --- 
Conduct Audit of 2 Public Authorities 1. State Government Public
Authority.  - one 2. Central Government Public
Authority   - one  or 3. Local Self Government office or
NGO Public Authority one		 20
Theoretical Final Written Test  -
History, philosophy, overview & provisions  of RTI Act 1.   Objective Test 20
Implementation Perspective 2, Case study type short
question ( Any four)       (Answer 50 words )		 20
Application of RTI Act perspective. 3.  Case study type question
(Any two )                           
( Detailed answer)		 20
Total Marks 100

Standard of passing and Grades The criteria for passing are :     Students shall be required to obtain a minimum of 40%  marks in order to be declared successful in examination.  


Marks obtained Grade
70  per cent or more of the aggregate marks ‘O'
60 per cent or more but less than 70 per cent  of
aggregate marks		 ‘A'
50 per cent or more but less than 60 per cent of
aggregate marks		 ‘B'
40 percent or more but less than 50 per cent of
aggregate marks		 ‘C'
40  per cent of aggregate marks - must for passing

Note : Students who could not get minimum marks required for passing can take 3 more
attempts  to clear examination in next batch subject to payment of re-examination
fee of Rs. 200 for each attempt.   Modalities The course will be launched by distance mode. The soft and hard copy of the reading material, reference material and the assignment of this Certificate Course will be sent to candidates. The participant candidates will have to  attend the contact session of 5 days in YASHADA or appropriate convenient place for Contact session. Contact sessions will cover the following:  
Contact Session -1
  • Introduction of certificate course
  • Orientation of modules 1 to 7
  • Presentations and case studies
  • Demonstration  of RTI Applications & Proactive Disclosures
  • Demonstration
  • Assignments
Contact Session- 2
  • Recap - Modules 1 to 7
  • Presentations and case studies
  • Review of study done by Candidates
  • Submission of Assignments work
  • Experience sharing and Discussion - Question -Answers
  • Objective Test - 10 Marks


Certificate Course in Right to Information (CCRTI)

Distance Mode

Course Schedule

Tentative Timeline

Course Process

Batch-1 & Batch-2
01/09/2010 to 15/09/2010
  • Online form submission of applications for admission
  • By 25/09/2010
  • Admission confirmation,
  • Payment of  fees.
02/10/2010
  • First Contact Session
  • Inauguration of first batch.
  • Distribution of study material,
  • soft copy & course guidelines -
  • First assignment- Description
03/10/2010 to 30/10/2010
  • Study of modules to be completed at student's convenience,
  • understanding provisions,
  • studying cases
  • visiting offices, Completing first assignment by making use of RTI Act
31/10/2010
  • Second  Contact Session
  • Review of work done,
  • Submission of First Assignment
  • Objective Test,
  • Second assignment - Description
01/11/2010 to 18/12/2010
  • Study of modules to be completed at student's convenience,
  • understanding provisions,
  • studying cases
  • Conducting Audit of Proactive Disclosure  & submission of second assignment before final Examination
19/12/2010
  • Written Examination.
31/12/2010
  • Results and award of certificates of  1st and 2nd Batches.
Batch-3 & Batch-4
01/12/2010 To 15/12/2012
  • Online form submission
By 24/12/2010
  • Admission confirmation,
  • fee payments.
02/01/2011 -
  • First Contact Session
  • Distribution of study material soft copy &  course guidelines -
  • Study Visits and assignment
03/01/2011 To 26/01/2011
  • Study of modules to be completed at student's convenience,
  • understanding provisions,
  • studying cases
  • visiting offices, Completing first assignment by making use of RTI Act
27/02/2011
  • Second  Contact Session -
  • Review of work done,
  • first assignment verification
  • Objective Test,
  • Second assignment.
27/02/2011 to 26/03/2011
  • Study of modules to be completed at student's convenience,
  • Understanding provisions,
  • Studying cases
  • Conducting Audit of Proactive Disclosure  & submission of second assignment before final Examination
27/03/2011
  • Written Examination.
31/03/2011
  • Results and award of certificates of 3rd and 4th Batches.
Batch-5 & Batch-6
01/03/2010 To 15/03/2011
  • Online form submission
By 25/03/2011
  • Admission confirmation,
  • fee payments.
03/04/2011 -
  • First Contact Session
  • Inauguration of first batch.
  • Distribution of study material,
  • soft copy & course guidelines -
  • first assignment- study Visits and assignment .
04/04/2011 To 07/05/2011
  • Study of modules to be completed at student's convenience,
  • understanding provisions,
  • studying cases
  • visiting offices, Using RTI Act
08/05/2011
  • Second  Contact Session
  • Review of work done,
  • Assignment verification
  • Objective Test,
  • Second assignment.
09/05/2011 to 25/06/2011
  • Study of modules to be completed at student's convenience,
  • understanding provisions,
  • studying cases
  • Conducting Audit of Proactive Disclosure  & submission of second assignment before final Examination.
26/06/2011
  • Written Examination.
30/06/2010
  • Results and award of certificates of  5th and 6th Batches.
Batch-7th & Batch-8th
01/06/2010 To 15/06/2011
  • Online form submission
By 25/06/2011
  • Admission confirmation,
  • fee payments.
03/07/2011 -
  • First Contact Session
  • Inauguration of first batch.
  • Distribution of study material,
  • soft copy & course guidelines -
  • first assignment- study Visits and assignment .
04/07/2011 To 06/08/2011
  • Study of modules to be completed at student's convenience,
  • understanding provisions,
  • studying cases
  • visiting offices, Using RTI Act
07/08/2011
  • Second  Contact Session
  • Review of work done,
  • Assignment verification
  • Objective Test,
  • Second assignment.
08/08/2011 to 24/09/2011
  • Study of modules to be completed at student's convenience,
  • understanding provisions,
  • studying cases
  • Conducting Audit of Proactive Disclosure  & submission of second assignment before final Examination.
25/09/2011
  • Written Examination.
30/09/2011
  • Results and award of certificates of  7h and 8th Batches.


Syllabus

The syllabus i.e. learning  content has been spread over seven modules- each providing key learning inputs on specific aspects related to the Right to Information Act.
The Modules are as follows:

Module 1- A General Overview of the RTI Act and Explanation of Important Concepts /Terms in the Act

  • The evolution of the Right to Information in India.
  • The philosophy underlying the Right to Information Act, 2005 and the paradigm shift it envisages.
  • The important terms and concepts used in the Act.
  • The salient features of the Act
Module  2 - Public Authorities and their Obligations under the Act
  • What is a Public Authority?
  • Who are the Public Authorities covered under the Act?
  • Which Public Authorities are exempted from the ambit of the Act?
  • Obligations of Public Authorities.
Module 3 -Role of Public Information Officers: PIOs and APIOs -
Accepting an Information Request, Processing and Disposing
  • The requirement for designation of Information Officers - PIOs / APIOs - in public authorities
  • The specific Duties & Responsibilities of Information Officers.
  • The liabilities of a PIO for non-compliance with the provisions of the Act.
  • How to accept information requests and assist citizens in making information requests?
  • What is the process for disposal of requests?
  • The time limits for disposal of information requests.
  • The fees and costs to be charged for providing information.
  • The grounds on which requests can be rejected and the procedure for such rejection.
Module  4 - Exemptions from Disclosure of Information, Partial Disclosure
and  "Third Party" Information
  • Specific provisions of the Act which exempt certain kinds of information - the classification of such exempted information.
  • Application of public interest test with respect to exempted information.
  • Grounds that allow for partial disclosure of information.
  • The concept of ‘Third Party' and the issues and considerations revolving around its involvement.

Module 5 - The roles and responsibilities of Appellate Officers within Public Authorities.
  • The process involved in making first appeals to designated Appellate Officers.
  • Timelines for making a first appeal and disposal of the appeal
  • First Appeals and Appellate Officers - Important Provisions

Module - 6 - Information Commission: Powers and Functions
  • The Role and Responsibilities of the Information Commissions.
  • The relevant provisions in the RTI Act dealing with Complaints to the Information Commission and the specifications thereof.
  • The "Second Appeal" process and the Commissions' mandate for the same.
  • The power of Information Commissions with regard to enforcing compliance of public authorities with the provisions of the RTI Act,  imposing penalty / recommending disciplinary action against erring PIOs etc.

Module - 7 - RTI and Good Governance:
  • Role of Civil Society Organisations and Media
  • Records Management for Effective Information Management and
  • Implementation of the Act
  • The importance of records management.
  • The broad issues relating to the keeping, maintaining, managing and destructing.





    Click Here To Apply Online

Last Updated on Monday, 01 October 2012 14:20