University of Mumbai

Post Graduate Certificate Course

in
Right to Information (RTI)

Department of Civics and Politics

Pherozeshah Mehta Bhavan
University of Mumbai
Vidyanagari, Santacruz (E),
Mumbai- 400 098

University of Mumbai

Department of Civics & Politics

Post Graduate Certificate Course in Right to Information (RTI)
O.6215

Title of the Course

Post Graduate Certificate Course in Right

to Information

O.6216

Eligibility for the Course

A graduation of any Faculty from

recognized University

O.8946

Duration of Course

Six Months Part Time Course.

Lectures will be conducted on Saturdays
and Sundays.

Intake Capacity

40 (Forty)

Fees Structure

Tuition Fee for Indian Student is

Rs. 5000/- for the course

Standard of Passing

a) A candidate must obtain 50% of the full

marks in two theory papers and one
project taken together. The minimum
passing mark in each of the paper shall be
40%.

O.8947

b) Those of the successful candidates who

obtain 60% or more of the total marks in
the examination will be placed in the First
Class and those who obtain 55% or more
of the total marks, but less than 60% of the
marks in the examination shall be declared
to have passed in the second class. All
other getting 50% or more but less than
55% will be placed in the Pass class.

Post Graduate Certificate Course in Right to Information (RTI)

Objective:
The objective of the course is to sensitize citizens, civil society members, professionals,
government officials for transparent and accessible governance and enthuse amongst them a
spirit of participatory democracy. Further the course endeavors to strengthen civil society
participation governance and initiate a responsive citizenry.
Structure:
1. There will be three papers. i) Right to Information: Basic Framework, ii) Right to Information
Act 2005 and iii) Projects
2. All papers carry 100 marks each.
3. For Paper III students will be continuously assessed while the Course is in the progress
depending upon practically submitting RTIs.

SYLLABUS AND READING LIST

Paper I: Right to Information: Basic Framework

1. Constitutional Framework
a) Philosophy of Indian Constitution
b) Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy
c) Constitutional Provisions of RTI: Article 19 (1), (2) and Art 21
d) Manifestations of Freedom in 21st Century
2. International Framework
a) Theories of Right to Information
b) History of RTI in the World
c) International Laws on Transparency
d) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
3. Development of RTI in India
a) Supreme Court/High Courts judgements
b) Initiatives and Movements: NCPRI, CHRI, Anna Hazare, MKSS and others
c) Information Acts in States
d) RTI and Human Rights
4. Future Trajectory
a) Whistleblower Act
b) Right to Hearing, Grievance Redressal Bill
c) Right to Public Services, Transfers and Delays Act
d) Public Consultation

5. Case Studies
a) Inspection and Social Audits
b) Environment
c) Urban Issues
d) Rural Issues
References:
Alfredsson, G. (1999). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights:A Common Standard of Achievement
( 1 edition(. Springer.
Basu, D. (2013). Introduction to the Constitution of India )Twenty-First edition(. LexisNexis
Bakshi, P. M. (2014). The Contitution of India. New Delhi: Universal Law Publishing Company.
Bhattachrya , A., & Ghosh, B.K. (2010). Human Rights in India. Kolkatta: Setu Prakashani
Blaugh, R., & Schwarzmantel, J. (2004). Democracy a Reader. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Carolyn M. Elliot. (2003). Civil Society and Democarcy. New DElhi: Oxford University Press.
Jayal, N. G., & Mehta, P. B. (2011). Oxford Companion to Politics in Inda. New Delhi: Oxford
University Press.
Kashyap, S. (2011). Our Parliament. New Delhi: National Book Trust.
Kishwar, M. P. (2006). Deepening Democracy Challenges of Governance and Globalisation in India.
New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Kumbhar, V. (2012). Pailu Mahitichya Adhikarache. Pune: Prajakta Prakashan.
Narayan, V. )2015). Right to Information-A route to good Governance. Mumbai: BCAS Foundation.
Nile, M. J. (2014). Right to Information: An Intervention Towards Participatory Governance in
Maharashtra. Navi Mumbai: NavVishnu.
OByrne, D.J. (2008). Human Rights: an Introduction. New Delhi: Dorling Kindersely (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Ramchandran, R. (2006). Urbanisation and Urban Systems in India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Paper II: Right to Information Act 2005

1. RTI Act 2005: Preamble and Definitions
a) Preamble
b) Appropriate Government and Competent authority
c) Information, Public Authority, Record and Right to Information
d) Information Commission, Public information officer and Third party
2. Obligations of Public Authorities
a) Eligibility of applicants
b) Public authority obligations about suo motto disclosures
c) Appointment of PIO and their duties
d) Submissions and Disposal of Applications
3. Exempt Information
a) Exemptions
b) Larger public interest and copyrights
c) Severance of information
d) Third Party Information
4. Information Commissions: Powers and Functions
a) Information Commissions and Appointment of Information Commissioners
b) Powers and Functions, Penalty and Compensation Provisions
c) Disposal of appeals and complaints
d) Miscellaneous Provisions
5. Rules
a) Union Government
b) Government of Maharashtra
c) Other States
d) Other Competent Authorities
References:
Government of Inda. (2006). The Right to Information Act, 2005. New Delhi: Professional Book
Publishers.
Government of India. (2006). Official Sectrets Act, 1923. New Delhi: Professional Book Publishers.
Kumbhar, V. (2012). Pailu Mahitichya Adhikarache. Pune: Prajakta Prakashan.
Ryder, R. D. (2006). Right to Information: Law-Policy and Practice. Nagpur: Wadhwa and Company.
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Paper III: Projects

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Filing of RTI applications

Filing Appeals
Evaluation of Information Commissions decisions
Section 4 of RTI
Perspectives of PIO, Appellate officers and Commissioners