CIC Tells CBSE to Follow RTI Rules on Answer Sheet Fees and Drop Restrictions The Central Information Commission has directed CBSE to charge only standard RTI 2012 rules fees for board exam answer sheet photocopies. The commission also recommended modifying a circular that barred students from seeking revaluation after obtaining copies via RTI. The Central Information Commission has issued a significant directive concerning board examination answer sheet copies and associated fees charged by the Central Board of Secondary Education. The commission told the board that if any student requests a photocopy of their answer sheet under the Right to Information Act, the photocopying fee must be levied strictly according to the rates prescribed under the RTI Rules 2012. Additionally, the commission recommended that the board modify its circular dated May 19, 2025, which stipulated that candidates obtaining answer book copies through the transparency law could not subsequently request verification or revaluation based on those same copies. The commission expressed strong objection to this restriction, stating that such bans do not align with the spirit of transparency laws. The Case Originated From a Class 10 Student RTI Application This matter reached the commission following an RTI application filed by a class 10 board examination candidate. The student had requested a photocopy of their board exam answer sheet under the transparency legislation. In the application, the student specifically cited the heavy expenses involved in the regular revaluation process. Furthermore, the student raised questions regarding the difficulty level of the class 10 Mathematics Standard Set-3 question paper, the implementation of the board's moderation policy, and deductions of marks made within the answer sheet. Fees Totaling 2,500 Rupees Demanded for Five Answer Sheets According to the student, a fee of 2,500 rupees was demanded for providing photocopies of answer sheets across five subjects. In addition, the re-verification fee was set at 2,500 rupees, while revaluation was priced at 100 rupees per individual question. Consequently, combining the different procedural costs, the student's total potential expenses could easily reach up to 10,000 rupees. Faced with this exorbitant financial burden, the student approached the board seeking answer sheet copies through the RTI framework. Central Public Information Officer Sent Answer Books via Email Addressing the situation, the Central Public Information Officer of the board responded to the student on July 2, 2025. The officer stated that after receiving the prescribed fees, the requested answer books had been dispatched to the candidate via email. Subsequently, the student filed a first appeal. Within the appeal, the student raised concerns regarding blank pages within the answer books, the mathematics moderation policy, and evaluation discrepancies, although the first appellate authority noted these issues fell outside the scope of the original RTI questions and sought analytical clarifications. CPIO Defense Presented During the Commission Hearing During the proceedings before the commission, the board's CPIO explained that the answer sheets had already been handed over to the student. The official maintained that the photocopying charges collected were strictly in accordance with the rates specified under the RTI Rules 2012. During the hearing, the CPIO also cited the circular issued on May 19, 2025. Under this administrative instruction, while candidates are permitted to secure answer book copies through the RTI framework, the circular explicitly stated that subsequent verification or revaluation demands cannot be pursued under the RTI mechanism. Central Information Commission Expresses Displeasure Over Revaluation Bar The commission voiced clear objections against this specific provision enforced by the board. The panel asserted that barring any student from availing revaluation facilities simply because they obtained their answer sheet copies through the RTI Act violates the foundational intent of the transparency legislation. According to the commission, securing answer sheet copies through RTI and utilizing institutional revaluation remedies should never obstruct one another or create procedural roadblocks. Board Cannot Impose External Fees and Conditions Outside RTI Act The commission further clarified that the board cannot rely on separate internal regulations or bylaws to impose fees or conditions that contradict the statutory provisions of the RTI Act. Highlighting this legal hierarchy, the panel cited Section 22 of the RTI Act. This section grants the transparency law overriding authority over any other inconsistent legislative enactments or legal provisions. This means that if any condition outlined in an alternate set of rules clashes with the provisions of the RTI Act, the transparency legislation will always prevail. Supreme Court Precedent Cited in the Decision In its formal order, the commission also referenced the Supreme Court judgment dated April 11, 2019, delivered in the case of ICSI versus Paras Jain. That ruling established that institutional remedies available under a body's own internal regulations and remedies available under the RTI Act are neither mutually exclusive nor contradictory. Consequently, an individual cannot be denied rights accessible through one framework simply because they pursued remedies under another. The commission deemed this governing principle vital to the current dispute. Specific Directives Issued to the Board The commission formally instructed the board to ensure that whenever answer script copies are requested under the RTI Act, photocopying fees must be charged exclusively according to the rates mandated by the RTI Rules 2012. The panel also advised the CPIO to exercise due diligence and complete responsibility while handling similar cases moving forward. Furthermore, invoking Section 25(5) of the RTI Act, the commission recommended that the board amend its May 19, 2025 circular to bring the guidelines fully in line with the transparency law. Why This Ruling Matters Significantly for Students This directive from the commission serves as a vital safeguard for numerous students appearing for board examinations who wish to inspect their evaluated answer sheets. Navigating institutional rechecking hurdles and high fees has long posed challenges for candidates seeking academic transparency. The regulatory stance ensures that arbitrary financial barriers are kept in check, allowing students to verify their academic evaluations without unnecessary complications. What this means for you The directive brings financial and procedural relief to students seeking transparency in board exam evaluations. • Across India: Students nationwide can now access answer sheet copies under standard transparency rules without facing arbitrary pricing. • For CBSE Aspirants: Candidates appearing for board examinations will save substantial money previously demanded through inflated photocopy and revaluation fees. Questions & Answers 1. What core directive did the Central Information Commission issue to CBSE? The commission directed that photocopying fees for answer sheets requested under the RTI Act must be charged strictly according to RTI Rules 2012 rates. 2. Which board circular did the commission object to? The panel objected to the May 19, 2025 circular which barred students from seeking revaluation after obtaining answer books via the transparency law. 3. Which class student's application triggered this case? The matter originated following an RTI application filed by a class 10 board examination candidate. 4. How much money was demanded from the student for five answer sheets? A fee of 2,500 rupees was demanded for providing photocopies of answer sheets across five subjects. 5. Which Supreme Court judgment was referenced in the order? The commission cited the April 11, 2019 judgment in the case of ICSI versus Paras Jain. https://trendkia.com/en/career/cic-tells-cbse-to-follow-rti-rules-on-answer-sheet-fees-and-drop-restrictions-28972 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.