CIC Directs CBSE to Align Answer Sheet Photocopy Fees with RTI Rules

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has issued a significant directive to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), mandating that the board must provide photocopies of answer scripts requested under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by charging fees strictly in accordance with the RTI Rules, 2012. This decision follows a case involving a Class 10 student who challenged the high costs associated with the board’s standard verification and re-evaluation processes.

The dispute arose after a student sought copies of his answer sheets under the RTI Act, citing the financial burden of the CBSE’s regular administrative procedures. According to the student’s application, the board’s standard process required a payment of INR 2,500 for photocopies of five subjects, with additional costs for re-verification and a fee of INR 100 per question for re-evaluation. The student also raised concerns regarding the moderation policy and the evaluation process of his Mathematics paper.

CIC Challenges CBSE Policy on Re-evaluation Restrictions

A central point of contention in the CIC hearing was a circular issued by the CBSE on May 19, 2025. This circular allowed students to obtain copies of their answer books under the RTI Act but explicitly prohibited those students from subsequently applying for verification or re-evaluation of their marks. The board’s Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) had defended this provision during the proceedings, maintaining that the RTI route and the board’s internal re-evaluation process were separate.

The CIC, however, took strong exception to this restriction. Citing Section 22 of the RTI Act, which grants the transparency law an overriding effect over inconsistent rules or instruments, the commission ruled that the board’s policy was not in line with the spirit of the legislation. The commission further supported its decision by referencing the Supreme Court’s judgment in the case of ICSI vs Paras Jain, which established that remedies available under an institution’s own regulations and those provided under the RTI framework are not mutually exclusive.

Recommendations for Regulatory Amendment

In light of these observations, the CIC has formally directed the CBSE to ensure that its fee structure for providing answer script photocopies remains strictly compliant with the RTI Rules, 2012. Furthermore, the commission has recommended that the board amend its May 19, 2025 circular under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act. The goal of this recommendation is to ensure that the board’s internal policies are consistent with the broader transparency requirements mandated by law, thereby preventing students from being penalized for exercising their right to access their evaluated answer scripts.