CBSE Board Exams 2026: CIC Directs CBSE to Charge RTI Fees for Answer Sheets as per 2012 Rules

The Central Information Commission (CIC) on September 7, 2026, directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to provide photocopies of answer scripts sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by charging fees strictly in accordance with the RTI Rules, 2012. This directive affects all CBSE examination candidates seeking transparency in their evaluation process.

The CIC also recommended that CBSE amend its circular dated May 19, 2025, which currently restricts candidates who obtain answer sheets under the RTI Act from next seeking verification or revaluation. This move aims to align CBSE’s practices with the spirit of the transparency law, offering candidates a more affordable and accessible route to address concerns about their examination results.

CBSE Answer Sheets: RTI vs. Regular Re-Evaluation Costs

The CIC’s directive stems from an RTI application filed by a Class 10 CBSE examination candidate who sought photocopies of his answer sheets. The candidate highlighted the significantly high costs tied to the board’s regular re-evaluation process, which he argued made it prohibitive for a lot of students. His application detailed concerns regarding the difficulty of the Class 10 Mathematics Standard Set 3 paper, putting in place the moderation policy, and deductions in his marks.

If you look at the candidate’s application, the standard re-evaluation process involved a charge of Rs 2,500 for photocopies of answer sheets for five subjects, an additional Rs 2,500 for re-verification, and Rs 100 per question for re-evaluation. This structure meant that the total expenditure for a candidate seeking a full review could potentially reach Rs 10,000, a substantial sum for many families.

CIC’s Directive on RTI Fees and Circular Amendment

The Central Information Commission explicitly directed CBSE to charge photocopying fees for answer scripts strictly in accordance with the RTI Rules, 2012. This ensures that candidates can access their answer sheets at a nominal cost, typically Rs 2 per page, significantly lower than the board’s standard re-evaluation fees. The CIC observed that the board’s May 19, 2025, circular, which restricts further verification or revaluation for those obtaining answer sheets via RTI, is inconsistent with the transparency law.

The CIC, referencing Section 22 of the RTI Act, emphasized that the RTI law has an overriding effect on inconsistent provisions in other laws or instruments. It cited the Supreme Court’s April 11, 2019, judgment in ICSI vs Paras Jain, which affirmed that remedies available under an institution’s guidelines and the RTI framework are not mutually exclusive. Also, the Supreme Court in CBSE v Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011) stated, “Examining body cannot withhold from the candidate the answer sheets which they had themselves evaluated.”

Background of the Candidate’s Appeal

The matter originated from the Class 10 candidate’s RTI application. The board’s Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), in a response dated July 2, 2025, informed the candidate that the requested answer books had been sent via email after the prescribed fee was received. However, the candidate, after that, filed a first appeal, raising concerns about blank pages in the answer books, the mathematics moderation policy, and the evaluation of his answer sheet.

The First Appellate Authority observed that these issues were distinct from the original RTI queries. During the subsequent CIC hearing, the CPIO confirmed that the answer sheet had been supplied after the candidate paid photocopying charges as prescribed under the RTI Rules, 2012. The CIC, under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act, recommended that CBSE amend its May 19, 2025, circular to bring it into conformity with the provisions of the RTI Act, thereby ensuring greater transparency and fairness for all students.

CBSE Re-Evaluation Process Fees (as per Candidate’s Application)

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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