PolityGovernance
News 19 of 24

Allahabad HC Quashes CIC Order, Upholds Confidentiality of Higher Judicial Service Exam Under RTI Act, 2005

PolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
03 May 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:CIC Order Date: 04.04.2013HC Judgment Date: April 17, 2026Exam Year: 2009
Bodies:Allahabad High CourtCentral Information Commission (CIC)
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Allahabad High Court bench quashed a 2013 CIC order directing disclosure of evaluated answer sheets of UP Higher Judicial Service Exam, 2009.

2.Court held judicial service exams are 'sacrosanct' and confidentiality must be maintained, balancing RTI's transparency with exam sanctity.

3.Important for exam perspective on RTI Act exemptions, judicial independence, and the specific legal reasoning used to protect examination processes.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Allahabad High Court set aside a CIC order, ruling that evaluated answer sheets of judicial service exams cannot be disclosed under RTI to maintain their 'sacrosanct' confidentiality. This case is crucial for understanding the balance between the Right to Information Act, 2005, and the sanctity of competitive examinations, especially for judicial appointments.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

BenchJustices Ajit Kumar and Indrajeet Shukla
Order DateApril 17, 2026
CIC Order Date04.04.2013
Exam InvolvedUP Higher Judicial Service Examination, 2009

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Bench: Justices Ajit Kumar and Indrajeet Shukla
  • ›Order Date: April 17, 2026
  • ›Target this Data: The CIC order was passed on 04.04.2013 and quashed on April 17, 2026.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Central Information Commission (CIC) and Allahabad High Court.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: RTI Act, 2005, and its balance with the 'sacrosanct' nature of judicial service examinations.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Under which Act is the Central Information Commission (CIC) established?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the news:

1. The Allahabad High Court directed the disclosure of evaluated answer sheets under the RTI Act.

2. The court held that the Higher Judicial Services Examination is sacrosanct and its confidentiality must be maintained.

3. The order of the Central Information Commission was passed in the year 2013.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

In which year was the UP Higher Judicial Service Examination, which was the subject of the RTI plea, conducted?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the primary legal principle invoked by the Allahabad High Court to refuse the disclosure of answer sheets?

All 15 MCQs ▸
You finished this topic
Explore Related Topics
Related Current Affairs
Polity Current Affairs

Allahabad HC Upholds Mandatory Govt Service Bond for Subsidised PG Medical Education

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that doctors who pursue subsidised PG medical education cannot evade the mandatory two-year government service bond, even if there is administrative delay in providing posting. The court held that the bond ensures availability of doctors in government hospitals and protects patients' right to life under Article 21.

Polity Current Affairs

Allahabad HC Quashes NSA Detention for Procedural Lapses under BNSS Section 126, Awards ₹5,000 Compensation

The Allahabad High Court quashed the NSA detention of Aakriti Chaudhary, a DU graduate, holding that the state concocted the story and violated procedural safeguards under BNSS Section 126. This reinforces judicial scrutiny of preventive detention laws and the importance of habeas corpus petitions.

Polity Current Affairs

Allahabad HC Quashes Goonda Act Externment Order, Flags Misuse by UP Govt

The Allahabad High Court has severely criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for misusing the Uttar Pradesh Control of Goondas Act as a tool of harassment. The court quashed an externment order against a man based on an acquitted case and an unverified beat report, highlighting violations of natural justice. This raises critical questions about the misuse of stringent state laws, relevant for understanding judicial review, preventive detention, and state policing in India.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Revises Interim Stay, Preserves Allahabad HC Quashing of NSA Detention Under Article 21

The Supreme Court revised its September 23 interim order, restricting the stay to only certain strictures and costs against the Noida DM, thereby preserving the Allahabad High Court's landmark quashing of a DU student's NSA detention. The case also raises serious questions about the SC's roster system and 'out-of-turn' listing, making it a critical study point for judicial review, preventive detention safeguards, and constitutional procedures.

Polity Current Affairs

Allahabad HC: Public Employment is Public Trust; Unlawful Appointments Under Articles 14 & 16 Cannot Be Protected

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that public employment is a public trust, and appointments secured through deceit, misrepresentation, or abuse of judicial process cannot be protected. The court upheld the termination of a teacher whose appointment was found unlawful, and ordered recovery of salary and benefits received under interim court protection, reinforcing the constitutional mandate of equality under Articles 14 and 16.

Polity Current Affairs

Allahabad HC Quashes Class-B History Sheet, Holds Rubber-Stamped Approval Violates Articles 19, 21

The Allahabad High Court quashed a Class-B history sheet against a man, ruling that police surveillance without sufficient evidence of professional criminality violates fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21. This judgment reinforces procedural safeguards in police regulations and is crucial for mains answers on fundamental rights, police powers, and judicial review.

Polity Current Affairs

Allahabad HC: Wearing Headscarf Not Essential Religious Practice; Reiterates Judicial Doctrine

The Allahabad High Court has reaffirmed the 'essential religious practices' test, ruling that wearing a headscarf is not essential to Islam. This judgment clarifies the scope of religious freedom in educational institutions and is crucial for understanding the judiciary's role in defining religious practices.

Polity Current Affairs

Allahabad HC Quashes NSA Detention of 25-Year-Old DU Graduate in Noida Workers' Protest

The Allahabad High Court quashed the NSA detention of a 25-year-old Delhi University graduate in connection with the Noida workers' protest. This ruling underscores judicial scrutiny of preventive detention laws and the necessity of sufficient grounds. For exam aspirants, it is a key example of judicial review under Article 226 and the limits of the National Security Act.