Your Vinay Shukla

Accessibility of Answer Sheets under RTI

Yes, answer sheets are accessible under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. The Supreme Court of India has affirmed that evaluated answer sheets are considered "information" under the RTI Act, and students have the right to access them. Here are the key points:

1. Supreme Court Ruling: In the landmark case of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) vs. Aditya Bandopadhyay, the Supreme Court ruled that students have the right to inspect their evaluated answer sheets or obtain certified copies of them under the RTI Act. [1] [2]
2. Central Information Commission (CIC) Orders: The CIC has consistently upheld this right, stating that educational institutions that are public authorities cannot refuse to provide exam answer sheets under the RTI Act. [3]
3. Application Process: Students can file an RTI application with the relevant public authority (such as a university or examination board) to request their answer sheets. The fee for obtaining the answer sheets is typically governed by the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. [1]
4. Exceptions: There are some exceptions where access to answer sheets may be restricted, such as if the information is exempt under Section 8(1)(e) of the RTI Act, which pertains to information held in a fiduciary capacity. [2]

These provisions ensure transparency and accountability in the evaluation process, allowing students to verify their marks and seek clarifications if needed.

If you have any more questions or need further details, feel free to ask!

1. Answer Sheets/Reverification and the RTI Act, 2005

2. CIC | RTI Act gives students the right to access their own answer sheets

3. Answer sheets now accessible to students under RTI: CIC