The Hindu: New Delhi: Monday, 15 June 2026.
The Central Information
Commission (CIC) has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
to disclose “point-wise categorical” information, permissible under the Right
to Information Act, related to expenditure on exams and details of answer books,
including the tendering and procurement process, for Class 10 and 12 board
examinations.
After setting aside the CBSE’s earlier denial of information under the RTI, the transparency panel asked it to furnish revised replies.
The case arose from an RTI application seeking details of answer books used in Class 10 and 12 Board examinations during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 sessions, including paper quality, number of pages, size, purchase cost, total expenditure, GST payments and details of the tender process for procurement of answer sheets.
In its response, the CBSE disclosed certain specifications of the answer books.
However, information relating to the purchase cost of answer books, the number purchased and total expenditure incurred on procurement was denied under Section 8(1)(e) of the RTI Act.
The Commission found that the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) had denied information under multiple exemption clauses “without giving any proper justification”.
“...the Commission, deems it fit, to direct, CPIO to revisit the contents of the RTI application in question and provide a revised point-wise categorical replies along with relevant permissible information that can be provided,” the CIC said.
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The case arose from an RTI
application seeking details of answer books used in Class 10 and 12 board
examinations during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 sessions. Representational file
image. | Photo Credit: PTI |
After setting aside the CBSE’s earlier denial of information under the RTI, the transparency panel asked it to furnish revised replies.
The case arose from an RTI application seeking details of answer books used in Class 10 and 12 Board examinations during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 sessions, including paper quality, number of pages, size, purchase cost, total expenditure, GST payments and details of the tender process for procurement of answer sheets.
In its response, the CBSE disclosed certain specifications of the answer books.
However, information relating to the purchase cost of answer books, the number purchased and total expenditure incurred on procurement was denied under Section 8(1)(e) of the RTI Act.
The Commission found that the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) had denied information under multiple exemption clauses “without giving any proper justification”.
“...the Commission, deems it fit, to direct, CPIO to revisit the contents of the RTI application in question and provide a revised point-wise categorical replies along with relevant permissible information that can be provided,” the CIC said.
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