Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005 Explained Simply

What you'll learn
Understand their fundamental right to information under the Constitution of India
Learn about the RTI Act in its entirety
Deconstruct the bare act
Navigate the statutory framework without hiccups
Clearly differentiate rights and obligations
Identify exemptions and exceptions
Understand the appellate structure
Apply statutory knowledge practically
Requirements
No prior legal knowledge or experience is required. This is a self-contained course.
Description
This course on the landmark Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005 provides a comprehensive legal deep-dive into the Act, treating it as a statutory manifestation of Constitutional guarantees. Learners will move beyond basic filing to analyze the Bare Act sections governing applications, the multi-tier appeal system, and the specific legal triggers for imposing financial penalties on government officials. By bridging the gap between Article 19(1)(a) and the procedural mandates of the Act, this program equips learners to handle their own cases before Information Commissions with the precision of a legal professional.Core CoverageConstitutional Nexus: Detailed analysis of RTI as a fundamental right derived from Articles 19(1)(a) (Speech and Expression) and 21 (Life and Liberty), supported by landmark Supreme Court precedents.Informed Citizenry & Harmonizing of Interests: In-depth analysis of the Statement of Objects and Reasons, which outlines the Act's goal to create an informed citizenry as a vital check against corruption for effective functioning of India as a democracy. You will study how the Preamble balances the right to know against other public interests, such as efficient government operations and the preservation of confidentiality in certain matters.The Bare Act Framework: A section-by-section breakdown including Section 6 (filing procedures), Section 7 (strict 30-day and 48-hour timelines), and the Section 8 exemption clauses.Appellate Jurisprudence: Navigating the statutory appeal process under Section 19, including the transition from the First Appellate Authority to the Information Commission and subsequent Writ Jurisdiction under Articles 32 and 226.Officer Liability & Section 20: Understanding the legal criteria for "reasonable cause" and the enforcement of personal financial penalties (₹250/day up to ₹25,000) against delinquent Public Information Officers.Who Should Enroll?Party-in-Person Litigants: Individuals who wish to file their own applications, appeals and represent themselves before the Information Commission or High Courts. This course provides the legal vocabulary and procedural confidence to argue cases effectively without hiring a lawyer.Law Students & Advocates: Those specializing in Administrative Law and Constitutional litigation.RTI Activists: Seeking to back their field-level work with rigorous Bare Act knowledge.Public Information Officers (PIOs): To understand their legal obligations and the specific grounds for personal financial penalties.
Who this course is for
Citizens of India
Aspirants to Government Jobs
Central, State and Union Territory Government Employees
Law Students, Law Graduates, Lawyers enrolled with Bar
Aspirants to Judiciary
Judges
Law Makers - MLAs, MLCs, MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
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