CBSE Answer Sheet Photocopy: CIC Directs Board to Charge Fees Strictly as Per RTI Rules

CIC has directed CBSE to provide answer sheet photocopies under RTI Act by charging fees as prescribed under RTI Rules, 2012. CIC has also recommended changes to its rules on CBSE answer sheet verification and re-evaluation. 

CBSE Answer Sheet Photocopy

CBSE Answer Sheet Photocopy: Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to provide photocopies of answer scripts requested under Right to Information (RTI) Act by charging fees strictly in accordance with RTI Rules, 2012.

The commission has also recommended that CBSE amend its May 19, 2025 circular, which restricts students who obtain their answer sheets under RTI Act from applying for verification or re-evaluation. CIC observed that such a restriction is not in line with spirit of RTI Act.

CIC Directs CBSE to Follow RTI Fee Rules

This matter was considered by CIC after a Class 10 CBSE board exam student filed an RTI application for getting photocopies of his answer sheets. The student cited high cost of CBSE's regular process for obtaining answer sheets and getting re-verification or re-evaluation. He also raised concerns related to difficulty level of CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Standard Set 3 question paper, moderation policy and deductions in marks.

As per application, the student was required to pay INR 2,500 for photocopies of CBSE answer sheets for five subjects and another INR 2,500 for re-verification. This re-evaluation process involved a fee of INR 100 per question. So, the student sought copies of his CBSE board exam answer sheets under RTI Act, citing comparatively high cost of regular process.

CBSE Provided Answer Sheets Through Email

In its response dated July 2, 2025, CBSE Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) informed students that requested answer books had been provided to him through email after payment of prescribed fee. He later filed a first appeal and raised concerns about blank pages in CBSE answer books, Mathematics moderation policy and evaluation of his answer sheet. 

First Appellate Authority observed that these concerns were different from original RTI queries and sought explanations and analytical responses. During CIC hearing, CBSE CPIO stated that answer sheet had been provided after student paid photocopying charges prescribed under RTI Rules, 2012.

CIC Questions CBSE Restriction on Revaluation

CPIO also referred to CBSE's May 19, 2025 circular, which permits candidates to obtain copies of answer books under RTI Act but states that requests for verification or revaluation cannot be made under the RTI framework. CIC took exception to this provision. It observed that preventing a student from seeking CBSE answer sheet verification or re-evaluation simply because student obtained a copy of CBSE answer sheet through RTI Act goes against the spirit of the transparency law.

CIC Refers to Section 22 of RTI Act

The commission referred to Section 22 of the RTI Act, which gives the RTI law overriding effect over provisions contained in other laws, rules or instruments to the extent that they are inconsistent with the RTI Act. CIC also referred to Supreme Court's April 11, 2019 judgment in ICSI vs Paras Jain. The judgment held that remedies available under an institution's own rules and those available under the RTI framework are not mutually exclusive.

Based on these observations, CIC directed CBSE to provide answer script photocopies under RTI Act by charging photocopying fees strictly according to RTI Rules, 2012. CIC has also recommended that CBSE amend its May 19, 2025 circular under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act to ensure that its provisions are consistent with the transparency law.