Answer sheets of CBSE Board exam - CIC: PIO is neither aware nor mentioned the dispatched date of their reply; Did not upload it along with his written submission which shows lackadaisical approach; Explanation called for along with the comments of FAA

O R D E R

1. The Complainant filed an RTI application dated 13.05.2024 seeking information on the following points:

1) I want photocopy of my answer sheets class 12 2024. I am attaching details and supporting document here. Note- It is the rule of CBSE to provide scanned answer books thru RTI. It is chargeable only if I want verification or re-evaluation. I will also attach that.

Name- Aditya

Class- 12

Roll Number- 22608800

School Number- 65740

Subjects- English Core Sanskrit Core Physics Chemistry Math Application

(Photocopy of Answer Book of the Board Examinations under RTI Act 2005)

2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 17.05.2024 and the same is reproduced as under:-

With reference to your application it is to inform you that the Board has provided the facility of Verification of Marks, Photocopy of Evaluated Answer books and Re-Evaluation of Evaluated Answer books. You are requested to apply on or before 21-05-2024 (Class-XII) and 24-05-2024 (Class-X) by visiting our Website www.cbse.nic.in.

3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Complainant filed a First Appeal dated 17.05.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 12.06.2024 stated that:

With reference to your RTI Application regarding Photocopy of Answer books under RTI ACT 2005, you are hereby informed to deposit Rs. 2 (Two) Rupees per page fee in the form of Demand Draft in the name of Secretary CBSE Payable at Patna. The details of the pages are :

subject code 301-32

subject code 322-32

subject code 042-32

subject code 043-32

subject code 041-48

total no. of pages are 176 and total amount comes to 352 (Rupees Three Hundred Fifty Two Only). You are also requested to submit duly filled undertaking enclosed with this reply.

4. Aggrieved with the FAA’s order, the Complainant approached the Commission with the instant Complaint dated Nil.

5. The Complainant remained absent during the hearing despite notice and on behalf of the respondent Mr. Haridan Das, Sr. P.S, & CPIO, attended the hearing through video conference.

5. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that a suitable reply as per the provisions of the RTI act had been furnished to the complaint on 17.05.2023. He stated that upon receipt of the requested fees, complete information as sought had been provided to the Complainant through speed post. When enquired by the Commission regarding the date on which the information was provided, the respondent was not aware about the same. A written submission dated 24.02.205 of the respondent is taken on record.

6. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the respondent and perusal of records, observes that the CPIO as stated during hearing has provided complete information to the Complainant through speed post, but the CPIO is neither aware nor mentioned the dispatched date of their last reply as also did not upload their latest reply along with his written submission, which shows lackadaisical approach of Mr. Haridan Das, Sr. P.S, & CPIO. Therefore, the Commission directs the Mr. Haridan Das, Sr. P.S to submit a written statement before the Commission, explaining his abovesaid conduct, along with the comments of the First Appellate Authority, by uploading on http://dsscic.nic.in/online-link-paper-compliance/add , within 20 days from the date of the receipt of this order, under intimation to the Commission.

With this observation and direction, the complaint is disposed of.

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

Sd/-

ANANDI RAMALINGAM

Information Commissioner

Citation: Aditya v. CBSE, Complaint No. CIC/CBSED/C/2024/626299; Date of Decision: 04.03.2025