CIC Orders CBSE to Reveal Exam Procurement Details

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to provide “point-wise categorical” information under the RTI Act on expenditure and procurement related to Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. 

Setting aside the CBSE’s earlier denial, the Commission asked it to furnish revised replies, allowing redaction of exempt portions under Section 10 of the RTI Act and directing that any denial under Section 8(1)(d) be properly



justified.

The case arose from an RTI application seeking details on answer books used in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 examinations, including specifications, purchase cost, total expenditure, GST payments and tendering processes. In its initial response, CBSE shared technical details such as paper quality, page count and size of answer books, but denied information on procurement cost, quantity purchased and overall expenditure, citing exemptions under the RTI Act. It also termed tender-related information as “confidential” and “sensitive”.