A candidate sought to know the number of attempts made for the examinations conducted by UPSC - PIO: The number of attempts of the candidates is checked at the time of final stage of selection only; Information was not available in a complied form

A candidate sought to know the number of attempts made for the examinations conducted by UPSC - PIO: The number of attempts of the candidates is checked at the time of final stage of selection only; Information was not available in a complied form; Checking numbers of attempts of all the candidates who apply would disproportionately divert the resources - CIC: Perusal of records reveals that the records sought are not readily available with the respondent; No scope of intervention  

O R D E R

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 25.12.2022 seeking information on the following points:

(i) “I would like to know how many attempts has the candidate with credentials as:

NAME: HRITIK WALIA

FATHERS NAME: SANJEEV PAUL WALIA

DATE OF BIRTH: 10 DECEMBER 1992

Number of attempts made to the following examinations as on 25 December 2022:

1. Civil Services Examination

2. Indian Forest Service Examination

Both examinations conducted by Union Public Service Commission.

I require this information for the purpose for applying for the above upcoming examinations.”

2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 03.01.2023 and the same is reproduced as under:-

“In this regard, it is informed that the details of attempts already exhausted by the candidate or available to him/her is not available in compiled form, hence cannot be provided.”

3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 26.01.2023 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 07.02.2023 upheld the reply given by the CPIO.

4. Aggrieved with the FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 05.06.2023.

5. The appellant attended the hearing through video conference and on behalf of the respondent Ms. Kiran K Arora, Under Secretary, attended the hearing in person.

6. The appellant inter alia submitted that the reply furnished by the CPIO was not in accordance with the information sought in the RTI application. He requested the Commission to direct the respondent to provide the information, as sought.

7. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that the information sought was not available in a complied form, hence, the same could not be provided. She further submitted that they check the number of attempts of the candidates at the time of final stage of selection only otherwise checking numbers of attempts of all the candidates who apply would disproportionately divert the resources.

8. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both parties and perusal of records, observes that the RTI application was responded by the CPIO vide letter dated 03.01.2023. The perusal of records further reveals that the records sought are not readily available with the respondent. The Commission therefore finds no scope of intervention. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed.

Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.

Sd/-

ANANDI RAMALINGAM

Information Commissioner

Citation: Hritik Walia v. Union Public Service Commission, Second Appeal No. CIC/UPSCM/A/2023/124823; Date of Decision: 05.08.2024