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CIC Directives on CBSE Board Exam Answer Sheets: Key Changes and Implications

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has introduced crucial directives for CBSE board exam students regarding the acquisition of answer sheets under the RTI Act. Students will now only pay photocopying fees as per the RTI Rules, 2012, and can seek re-evaluation despite obtaining their answer sheets through RTI. This decision stems from a student's RTI request highlighting the high costs associated with re-evaluation. The CIC's ruling emphasizes the need for CBSE to amend its existing policies to align with the RTI Act, ensuring fair access to educational resources. Read on to learn more about the implications of these changes.
By Ambika Singh Sep 8, 2026, 14:31 IST

Important Directives for CBSE Board Exam Students


Overview: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has issued significant directives impacting students of the CBSE board exams. It has mandated that students requesting copies of their answer sheets under the RTI Act must only pay photocopying fees as per the rates outlined in the RTI Rules, 2012. Additionally, the CIC has raised concerns regarding a CBSE rule that prevents students from seeking re-evaluation after acquiring their answer sheets through RTI.


Origin of the Issue

This situation arose from an RTI request made by a Class 10 student of CBSE. The student sought copies of their answer sheets due to the exorbitant fees associated with the re-evaluation process.


Costs Involved in Obtaining Answer Sheets

The student reported that the fee for obtaining copies of answer sheets for five subjects was ₹2,500, with an additional ₹2,500 for re-verification. Furthermore, a charge of ₹100 per question was applicable, leading to a potential total cost of around ₹10,000 for the entire process. This prompted the student to request the answer sheets under the RTI Act.


CBSE's Response to the RTI Request

On July 2, 2025, the CBSE's Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) informed the student that the requested answer sheets had been emailed after the payment of the required fee.


First Appeal and Subsequent Queries

Following this, the student filed a first appeal, raising concerns about blank pages in the answer sheet, the moderation policy for Mathematics, and the evaluation process of their answers.


CIC's Objection to CBSE's Rule

During the hearing, the CBSE's CPIO referenced a circular from May 19, 2025, which stated that while students could obtain answer sheets via RTI, they could not request verification or re-evaluation through the same channel. The CIC objected to this, asserting that denying re-evaluation based on the method of obtaining the answer sheet contradicts the principles of the RTI Act.


Clarification on RTI Fees

The CIC clarified that only the photocopying fees as per the RTI Rules, 2012, should be charged for providing answer sheets. The Commission emphasized that the CBSE cannot impose additional fees or conditions that conflict with the RTI Act, citing Section 22 of the RTI Act, which grants it precedence over other laws.


Supreme Court Judgment Reference

The CIC also referenced a Supreme Court ruling from April 11, 2019, in the *ICSI vs. Paras Jain* case, which stated that the options available under an institution's guidelines and the rights under the RTI law are not mutually exclusive.


Required Changes for CBSE

The CIC has instructed the CBSE to provide answer sheets requested under the RTI Act at the established photocopying rates. Furthermore, it has recommended that the CBSE revise its May 19, 2025 circular to align with RTI Act provisions and advised the CPIO to exercise caution in future matters.


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