CBSE to disclose Board exam expenditure and answer sheet procurement details  

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to provide information allowed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act about the money spent on Class 10 and Class 12 Board exams, the procurement of answer sheets, and the tendering process for these examinations. 

The order came after an RTI applicant sought details related to answer books used during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic sessions. The information requested included answer sheet specifications, procurement costs, total expenditure, GST payments, quantity purchased, and details of the tendering process, including participating firms and vendor selection criteria.

In its response, CBSE shared certain specifications of the answer books, stating that the paper quality ranged from 60 GSM to 120 GSM and that the answer books were available in various page formats and sizes. However, it declined to disclose procurement costs, expenditure details, and tender-related information, citing exemptions under Sections 8(1)(d), 8(1)(e), and 8(1)(g) of the RTI Act.

Unsatisfied with the response, the applicant approached the CIC, arguing that expenditure and procurement information should be made public in the interest of transparency and accountability.

The Information Commissioner observed that CBSE had invoked multiple exemption clauses without providing adequate justification. The Commission also noted that the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) did not attend the hearing and did not submit a written explanation supporting the denial of information.

Setting aside the CPIOs, the CIC directed the CBSE to revisit the RTI application and provide revised, point-wise responses. The Commission emphasised that exempt information should be redacted under Section 10 of the RTI Act rather than withholding records entirely.

The CIC also stated that any denial under Section 8(1)(d), which relates to commercial confidence or trade secrets, must be clearly explained and justified according to the RTI Act.