CBSE Answer Sheets: What the CIC Said
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has intervened in a dispute on the price and process of obtaining CBSE board examination answer sheets. In its recent judgement, the commission said the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) should provide answer scripts under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 and charge a photocopying fee as per the RTI rules.
The CIC also suggested that CBSE should withdraw a circular dated May 19, 2025. This circular restricted candidates from seeking revaluation or verification of the answer scripts after obtaining the answer books through the RTI Act. This decision could be helpful to students who want to examine their answer sheets, for which CBSE charges a higher fee through the post-result process.
How the Dispute Started
This dispute arose with an RTI application written by a student of the Class 10 Board Exams of CBSE. The student wanted his answer sheets, citing the high cost of the re-evaluation process. He also complained about the Mathematics (Standard Set 3) paper, moderation, and the deduction of marks.
From the court records, it appeared that the student estimated the cost of 5 subject re-verification, answer sheet verification and question-wise re-evaluation of CBSE through the post-result process at ₹10,000. The CPIO then provided the answer scripts. Later, the student sent more requests about blank answer scripts, moderation, and evaluation, and an appeal was filed.
CBSE's Restrictions Draw Criticism from CIC
The major point of contention was CBSE's notification on May 19, 2025. The notification stated that candidates could request answer book copies through Right to Information (RTI), but CBSE stated that requests for verification or revaluation could not be made through RTI.
CIC observed that this was a restrictive notification. According to CIC, it would be against the spirit of the Transparency Law to deny a candidate the opportunity to exercise his/her right to revaluation simply because the answer sheet was obtained through RTI. CIC also noted that CBSE would be in illegal territory to set its own rules to levy a fee, or to impose any condition that is against the RTI provisions.
The Importance of Section 22 of the RTI Act.
CIC referred to Section 22 of the RTI Act to highlight that where provisions of the Act are inconsistent with any other law, rule or instrument, the Act will prevail. Also, CIC relied on the judgment of the Supreme Court in ICSI vs Paras Jain dated April 11, 2019. In that case, it was established that the Institutional scheme and RTI for the request of answer scripts are not mutually exclusive. In effect, CIC stated that when a candidate decided to take the RTI route, then the RTI Act will apply, and the answer copy will be supplied.
What Do the Photocopying Fees Add Up To?
As per the RTI information page on CBSE's website, candidates must pay ₹2 per page and applicable postal charges for photocopy requests. Exemptions will apply for the ₹10 RTI application fee as per the guidelines for the BPL quota.
The CIC's Order endorses that CBSE must provide answer scripts requested under RTI as per the RTI Act fee, which will not be applicable at a CBSE Tariff. Although the CIC's Order will not replace CBSE's post-examination photocopy and re-evaluation procedures, students must differentiate between the RTI route and CBSE's post-examination photocopy and re-evaluation procedures.
CBSE Has Its Own Answer-Sheet Route
CBSE continues to offer post-examination services to students. Per CBSE's notifications, re-evaluation and verification of answer books and answer books in scanned formats have been announced for the forthcoming examination sessions.
It can thus be stated that the CIC's Order will not completely replace CBSE's examination procedures, and rather will deal with RTI requests and the fees that are associated with such requests.
CIC Recommended Amendments to CBSE's Circular
As per the recommendations of the CIC, the instructions of CBSE contained in its circular dated May 19, 2025, under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act, must be in conformance with the provisions of the RTI Act. The CIC expressed its concern with the quality of the work of the CPIO and advised the CPIO to pay greater attention to similar matters in the future.
Students will have to petition CBSE for an answer script under the RTI Act rather than under CBSE's post-examination photocopy and re-evaluation procedures because the former will have the prior right to seek information.
What Students Should Know
Three things have changed now for CBSE answer sheets. Students now must understand the difference between RTI requests: information sought is processed as per the provisions and fees of the RTI Act. CBSE post-result: verification, scanned copies and re-evaluation are processed under the CBSE examination regulations and timelines. The CIC’s latest decision has only dealt with the RTI route.
Candidates must also not assume that the decision of the CIC will affect every CBSE Fee or deadline. CBSE will have to amend its circular in accordance with the recommendations of the Commission.
Final Thoughts
The CIC in this case has made the issuance of CBSE answer sheets both a right and an affordable act. The Commission has directed CBSE to follow the RTI Act rules with regard to copying charges and has also issued a directive to remove the barrier that stops students from opting for revaluation, as these students have sought their answer scripts through RTI.
For students who wish to challenge their marks, it is imperative to understand that RTI only provides a means to access information. CBSE's examination regulations will govern its verification and revaluation processes. CBSE’s response and amendment to its May 19, 2025 circular will be highly anticipated.
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