Information about the result for a post code which was not visible on SSC portal - CIC: PIO ought to provide the information if available or inform unavailability instead of evasively stating that the ‘information cannot be provided’; Amounts to denial

Information about the result for a post code was sought as the same was not visible on the SSC portal - CIC: Reply improper as the CPIO ought to provide the information if available or inform unavailability instead of evasively stating that the ‘information cannot be provided’ as it amounts to causing denial without invoking any exemption of Section 8 of the RTI Act

O R D E R

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 12.09.2024 seeking information on the following points:

“मैं हिमांशु सक्सेना S/O रामऔतार, पंजीकरण संख्या- 10005830364 है। मैंने SSC XII Phase में ‘POST – DARK ROOM ASSISTANT’ (पोस्ट कोड – NR29124) के लिए आवेदन किया था, जिसकी अनुक्रमांक संख्या 1421031967 है। लेकिन इस पोस्ट कोड (NR29124) का रिजल्ट अभी भी कर्मचारी चयन आयोग के पोर्टल पर नहीं दिख रहा है, जबकि 12th Phase का रिजल्ट पिछले सप्ताह जारी हो चुका है।
अतः उपरोक्त मामले पर आधारित निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर देने की कृपा करें:

1.      क्या मैं परीक्षा में सफल रहा या असफल?

2.      यदि मैं सफल/असफल रहा, तो मुझे कैसे पता चलेगा कि जारी की गई सूची में मेरा नाम और पोस्ट कोड है या नहीं?

3.      यदि उक्त पोस्ट कोड को निरस्त किया गया है, तो इसका उचित कारण प्रदान करें।

4.      यदि मैं सफल/असफल रहा, तो मैंने कितने अंक प्राप्त किए हैं?

5.      यदि पोस्ट कोड को निरस्त किया गया है, तो विद्यार्थियों को किस प्रकार से सूचित किया गया है?” etc

Loosely translated

“I, Himanshu Saxena S/O Ramautar, Registration Number 10005830364, had applied for the post of ‘DARK ROOM ASSISTANT’ (Post Code – NR29124) in SSC XII Phase, under Roll Number 1421031967. However, the result for this post code (NR29124) is still not visible on the SSC portal, whereas the result of the 12th Phase has already been declared last week. Therefore, I kindly request answers to the following queries regarding this matter:

1.      Have I qualified in the examination or not?

2.      If qualified/not qualified, how will I know whether my name and post code appear in the published list?

3.      If the said post code has been cancelled, please provide the appropriate reason.

4.      If I have qualified/not qualified, how many marks have I obtained?

5.      If the post code has been cancelled, in what manner have the candidates been informed? Etc.”

2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 12.09.2024 and the same is reproduced as under:-

“Sl. No. 01 to 05: The CPIO/SSC(NR) is the custodian of various information relevant to Post Category No. NR29124. The information sought does not pertains to this CPIO….”

3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO for points 1-6 of the RTI Application, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 13.09.2024. The FAA vide order dated 25.09.2024 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 04.10.2024.

5. The Appellant was present during the hearing through video conference and on behalf of the Respondent, Hari Nath Prasad, US & CPIO attended the hearing in person.

6. The Appellant stated that the averred post code was declared as null and void therefore he had sought for the information related to the same.

7. The Respondent submitted that the RTI Application was transferred to the concerned CPIO, SSC (NR) under Section 6(3) of the RTI Act for providing the information. However, since it was observed that the said fact was not placed before the Commission at any stage after the receipt of the hearing notice and the CPIO also failed to serve a copy of the notice to the concerned CPIO, at this stage, the matter cannot be prolonged any further and the information as available ought to be procured by the Respondent CPIO from the concerned record holder and be sent to the Appellant directly.

8. The Commission in pursuance of the hearing proceedings observes that during the pendency of the decision in the matter, the CPIO, SSC (NR) has provided a reply to the Appellant on 22.08.2025, answering the points raised in the RTI Application. However, the said reply is again improper for points 1, 2 & 4 as the CPIO ought to provide the information if available or inform unavailability instead of evasively stating that the ‘information cannot be provided’ as it amounts to causing denial without invoking any exemption of Section 8 of the RTI Act.

Now, therefore, the Respondent CPIO is directed to ensure that a proper reply is procured from the SSC, NR for points 1, 2 & 4 of the RTI Application and be provided directly to the Appellant, free of cost within 15 days of receipt of this order.

No relief is pertinent on point 5 as the reply of 22.08.2025 suffices the same and for point no.6, the query being futuristic and hypothetical in nature, is found to be outside the scope of Section 2(f) “information” means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force; of the RTI Act.

9. The Appeal is disposed of accordingly.

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

Sd/-

ANANDI RAMALINGAM

Information Commissioner

Citation: Himanshu Saxena v. Staff Selection Commission, Second Appeal No. CIC/UPSCM/A/2024/644383/SSCOM; Date of Decision: 10.09.2025