CBSE answer sheet RTI:The Central Information Commission (CIC) has ruled that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) must charge only the fee prescribed under the RTI Rules, 2012, when students seek photocopies of their answer scripts through the Right to Information Act. The commission has also flagged a CBSE circular that stops such students from later applying for revaluation.
The order was passed after a Class 10 CBSE student approached the CIC over the high cost of the board’s regular re-evaluation process and raised concerns about the Mathematics Standard Set 3 paper.
CBSE RTI Answer Sheet Case: Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Authority | Central Information Commission (CIC) |
| Board concerned | CBSE |
| Applicant | Class 10 CBSE examination candidate |
| Core direction | Charge RTI Rules, 2012 fee only for answer sheet photocopies |
| Circular under review | CBSE circular dated May 19, 2025 |
| Issue with circular | Bars revaluation for students who got answer sheets via RTI |
| Legal provision cited | Section 22, RTI Act (overriding effect) |
| Case law cited | Supreme Court, ICSI vs Paras Jain (April 11, 2019) |
| Amendment recommended under | Section 25(5), RTI Act |
Why the Student Approached the CIC
The candidate had sought photocopies of his answer sheets for five subjects after finding CBSE’s standard process too costly. Under the board’s regular fee structure:
- Photocopies for five subjects: Rs 2,500
- Re-verification: Rs 2,500
- Re-evaluation: Rs 100 per question
- Total potential cost: up to Rs 10,000
By contrast, CBSE’s CPIO confirmed that the answer books were sent to the student by email after he paid only the fee prescribed for RTI applications.
CBSE’s May 19, 2025 Circular: What the CIC Objected To
CBSE’s circular allows students to obtain answer sheet copies under RTI but explicitly states that such students cannot subsequently seek verification or revaluation. The CIC held that this restriction goes against the spirit of the RTI Act and has recommended CBSE amend the circular.
The commission based its order on:
- Section 22 of the RTI Act, which gives the Act overriding force over conflicting provisions in other rules or regulations
- The 2019 Supreme Court ruling in ICSI vs Paras Jain, which held that an institution’s own remedies and RTI remedies are not mutually exclusive
What the CIC Has Directed
- CBSE must charge photocopying fees for RTI-sought answer scripts strictly as per RTI Rules, 2012
- The CPIO has been cautioned to exercise due diligence in future RTI matters
- CBSE has been asked to amend its May 19, 2025 circular under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act to bring it in line with the law
What This Means for Students
For now, students seeking answer sheet copies via RTI should be charged at the lower RTI rate rather than CBSE’s own photocopying or verification tariffs. Whether CBSE actually revises its circular — and whether that reopens revaluation as an option for RTI applicants — is not yet confirmed, since the CIC’s direction on this point is a recommendation rather than a binding order.
FAQs
Question:Can CBSE students get answer sheets cheaper through RTI than through the board’s regular process?
Answer:Yes. The CIC has ruled that RTI applicants must be charged only the RTI Rules, 2012 fee, which is lower than CBSE’s standard verification and re-evaluation charges.
Question:Can a student ask for revaluation after obtaining answer sheets via RTI?
Answer:Under CBSE’s current May 2025 circular, no. But the CIC has called this inconsistent with the RTI Act and recommended CBSE change the rule.
Question:What did the Supreme Court say in ICSI vs Paras Jain?
Answer:It held that remedies available under an institution’s own guidelines and remedies available under the RTI Act can be pursued independently, not one instead of the other.
