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CIC Directs CBSE to Charge RTI Fees for Answer Scripts, Upholds Section 22 Override

PolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
06 Sept 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Rs 2,500 for photocopies of answer sheets for five subjectsRs 2,500 for re-verificationRs 100 per question for re-evaluationPotential total expenditure Rs 10,000May 19, 2025 CBSE circularSection 22 RTI Act
Bodies:Central Information CommissionCentral Board of Secondary EducationSupreme Court
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.CIC directs CBSE to provide answer script copies under RTI Act at fees prescribed under RTI Rules, 2012, not higher board charges.

2.CIC recommends CBSE amend its May 19, 2025 circular that prevented students from seeking revaluation after obtaining answer sheets via RTI.

3.The commission cited Section 22 of RTI Act and Supreme Court's 2019 judgment in ICSI vs Paras Jain to assert the primacy of transparency law.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

CIC has ruled that CBSE must charge photocopying fees strictly as per RTI Rules, 2012, and recommended amending its May 2025 circular that barred revaluation for students who obtained answer sheets under RTI. The decision reinforces the overriding effect of Section 22 of the RTI Act over institutional rules.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total fee charged for 5 subjects (photocopy + re-verification)Rs 5,000 (Rs 2,500 + Rs 2,500)
Re-evaluation fee per questionRs 100
Maximum potential expenditure for a studentRs 10,000
Date of CBSE circular restricting revaluation under RTIMay 19, 2025
Key statutory provision invokedSection 22, RTI Act, 2005
Supreme Court precedent citedICSI vs Paras Jain (2019)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Total fee charged for 5 subjects (photocopy + re-verification): Rs 5,000 (Rs 2,500 + Rs 2,500)
  • ›Re-evaluation fee per question: Rs 100
  • ›Target this Data: Fee of Rs 2,500 charged for photocopies of answer sheets for five subjects (Rs 2,500 for re-verification, re-evaluation Rs 100 per question).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Central Information Commission (CIC) - the quasi-judicial body that issued the direction.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Section 22 of the RTI Act, 2005 - the overriding effect clause.

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which quasi-judicial body directed CBSE to charge photocopying fees strictly under the RTI Rules, 2012?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the CIC's direction to CBSE:

1. The CIC directed CBSE to charge photocopying fees as per the RTI Rules, 2012.

2. The CIC upheld CBSE's May 19, 2025 circular that bars revaluation for students who obtain answer sheets under RTI.

3. The CIC cited Section 22 of the RTI Act to assert its overriding effect.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

What was the total fee charged by CBSE for photocopies of answer sheets for five subjects, as mentioned in the RTI application?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

Why did the CIC recommend that CBSE amend its May 19, 2025 circular?

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