The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to provide information permissible under the Right to Information (RTI) Act regarding expenditure on board examinations and the procurement of answer sheets for Class 10 and Class 12 examinations.

The order came after the CIC set aside the CBSE’s earlier denial of information sought through an RTI application. The Commission instructed the board to issue revised, point-wise replies and disclose information that can be provided under the law, while redacting exempt portions where necessary.

The RTI application sought details relating to answer books used during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 examination sessions, including paper specifications, procurement costs, expenditure, GST payments and the tender process for purchasing answer sheets.

While the CBSE disclosed certain technical specifications of the answer books, it denied information on procurement costs, quantities purchased and total expenditure, citing exemptions under the RTI Act. It also withheld details of the tender process, including participating firms and quoted rates, claiming the information related to confidential examination activities.

Information Commissioner Sudha Rani Relangi observed that the CBSE had invoked multiple exemption clauses without providing adequate justification. The Commission also noted that the Central Public Information Officer neither appeared at the hearing nor submitted a written explanation supporting the denial.

The CIC said exemptions relating to public procurement must be interpreted strictly and directed the CBSE to reconsider the RTI application and provide all permissible information. Any information exempt from disclosure may be redacted under Section 10 of the RTI Act, while denials under Section 8(1)(d) must be properly justified in accordance with the law.

The case arose after the appellant challenged the CBSE’s response, arguing that public interest warranted disclosure of information related to procurement and expenditure on board examinations.

Inputs from PTI

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