CBSE Board Exams: CIC Directs Board to Charge RTI Fees, Amend Revaluation Circular

The Central Information Commission (CIC) on September 6, 2026, directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to charge photocopying fees for board exam answer sheets strictly as prescribed under the Right to Information (RTI) Rules, 2012. This directive comes after a Class-10 CBSE board examination candidate filed an RTI application, highlighting the prohibitive costs of the existing re-evaluation process.

Also, the CIC has recommended that the CBSE amend its circular dated May 19, 2025, which currently restricts candidates from seeking revaluation after obtaining their answer sheets through the RTI Act. This move is significant as it aims to speed up the process for students seeking transparency and fairness in their examination results, ensuring that avenues under institutional guidelines and the RTI framework are not mutually exclusive, as per a Supreme Court judgment.

CBSE Answer Sheets: Rti Fees and Revaluation Process

The CIC’s directive mandates that the CBSE charge a photocopying fee of ₹ 2 per page for answer scripts sought under the RTI Act, 2005. This stands in stark contrast to the board’s regular re-evaluation process, which a Class-10 candidate noted involved a substantial financial burden. The candidate’s RTI application detailed costs of ₹ 2,500 for photocopies of five subjects, an additional ₹ 2,500 for re-verification, and ₹ 100 per question for re-evaluation, potentially accumulating to ₹ 10,000.

The issue gained prominence after the Class-10 CBSE board examination candidate filed an RTI application, stating, “I kindly request CBSE to provide photocopies of my answer sheets under the RTI Act, 2005. Due to high amount.” The central public information officer (CPIO) of the board had informed the candidate on July 2, 2025, that copies of the desired answer books were forwarded by email after fee receipt.

Cic’S Recommendation on CBSE Circular Amendment

The Central Information Commission has specifically recommended that the CBSE amend its circular issued on May 19, 2025. This circular currently imposes a restriction, preventing candidates from pursuing revaluation once they have obtained their answer sheets through the RTI Act. The CIC’s recommendation aims to remove this barrier, allowing students to fully use both the RTI framework and the board’s re-evaluation mechanisms.

The CIC cited Section 22 of the RTI Act, which grants the Act an overriding effect over inconsistent provisions found in other laws or instruments. This legal backing reinforces the CIC’s stance that the CBSE’s circular should align with the principles of transparency and accessibility enshrined in the RTI Act.

Supreme Court Judgment and Overriding Effect of Rti

A pivotal aspect of the CIC’s decision is its reliance on the Supreme Court’s judgment delivered on April 11, 2019, in the case of ICSI vs Paras Jain. This landmark judgment clarified that the avenues available under an institution’s guidelines and the RTI framework are not mutually exclusive. This means that students should not be forced to choose between one mechanism over the other when seeking information or redressal regarding their examination results.

The Supreme Court’s ruling underscores the fundamental right to information and ensures that institutional procedures do not inadvertently curtail or supersede the provisions of the RTI Act. The CIC’s directive to CBSE is a direct application of this judicial precedent, aiming to safeguard the rights of students.

CBSE Re-Evaluation Process Costs

The financial implications of the CBSE’s traditional re-evaluation process were a key factor in the candidate’s RTI application. The costs involved were significantly higher than the ₹ 2 per page mandated by the RTI Rules, 2012, for photocopies.

This disparity in costs was a primary motivation for the Class-10 student to seek photocopies of their answer sheets under the more affordable RTI Act, highlighting a systemic issue that the CIC’s directive now seeks to address.

What This Means for CBSE Students

The CIC’s directive is a significant development for CBSE students. It ensures that obtaining photocopies of answer sheets under the RTI Act will be more affordable, adhering to the ₹ 2 per page charge. More importantly, the recommendation to amend the May 19, 2025, circular means that students may soon be able to pursue revaluation even after accessing their answer sheets via RTI, providing them with a complete pathway to address concerns about their marks.

This decision reinforces the spirit of transparency and accountability in the education system, empowering students with greater access to information and avenues for grievance redressal regarding their board examination results.

Written by Aayush Kukreja

Aayush is a writer and content strategist who turns personal stories into brand narratives. With an experience spanning diverse industries, rely on his writing for simplifying complex subjects & get in-depth insights - always with sharp wit.

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