Quick answer: Yes — you can obtain a certified copy of your evaluated answer sheet under the RTI Act, 2005. File a ₹10 RTI to the examining body's PIO; the reply is due in 30 days. Below: the law, the exact application, fees and what to do after.
The Law: Your Answer Sheet Is "Information"
In CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011), the Supreme Court held that an evaluated answer book is "information" under the RTI Act, 2005, and that an examinee is entitled to inspect and obtain a certified copy of their own evaluated answer sheet. Every examining body that is a public authority — school boards, universities, recruitment commissions and statutory institutes — is therefore bound to provide it on a proper RTI request. This is the legal backbone of every application below.
RTI Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| RTI application fee | ₹10 (BPL applicants exempt) |
| Copy of answer sheet | ~₹2 per page (some bodies set a fixed certified-copy charge) |
| Reply deadline | 30 days — Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005 |
| If no/poor reply | First Appeal within 30 days — Section 19(1) |
| Final appeal | Second Appeal within 90 days to the Central/State Information Commission — Section 19(3) |
| Where to file | O/o the [UPSC / Staff Selection Commission / recruitment body concerned]. |
What RTI Can and Cannot Get from UPSC/SSC
Recruitment commissions are public authorities, so RTI applies — but disclosure differs by stage. Marks, cut-offs and final answer keys are routinely obtainable (often published after the process). OMR/answer sheets are generally accessible under the Bandopadhyay precedent, though some bodies contest disclosure of certain stages (e.g. interview marks, or before the process concludes) citing exemptions. A well-drafted RTI asks for everything you are clearly entitled to, and forces a recorded reason for anything refused — which is the basis for a First Appeal.
Full Sample RTI Application You Can Adapt
To,
The Public Information Officer (PIO),
O/o the [UPSC / Staff Selection Commission / recruitment body concerned].
Subject: Information under the RTI Act, 2005 — certified copy of my evaluated answer sheet and related records.
Under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005, I request the following in respect of my participation in the examination below:
- Roll No.: [____], Examination & Year: [____], Post/Service: [____].
- My marks awarded, section-wise and total.
- A certified copy of my evaluated answer sheet / OMR response sheet.
- The final answer key applied and the cut-off for my category.
- If any of the above is refused, the specific provision and reason relied on.
As held in CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011), the evaluated answer book is information accessible under the Act. I enclose the RTI fee of ₹10.
Yours faithfully,
[Name] · [Roll/Registration No.] · [Address] · [Phone] · [Date]
Prefer it done for you? Our in-house legal team identifies the correct PIO, drafts and files the RTI, and tracks the reply — from ₹399.
What a Useful Reply Should Contain
A proper reply should provide the certified copy of your evaluated answer sheet, the question/step-wise marks, and the marking scheme. A reply that withholds the script or ignores questions without a valid Section 8/9 exemption likely needs a First Appeal.
What RTI Can and Cannot Do
RTI can: get your evaluated answer sheet, marks, marking scheme and verification records. RTI cannot: by itself change your marks — but the answer sheet it obtains is the evidence you need for verification, re-evaluation, or an appeal.
Common Questions
Can I get my UPSC/SSC marks through RTI?
Yes. Your marks (section-wise and total) and the cut-off are routinely obtainable via RTI, with a reply due in 30 days.
Can I get my evaluated answer sheet/OMR?
Generally yes under the Bandopadhyay precedent, though some commissions contest disclosure at certain stages. The RTI at minimum forces a recorded reason for any refusal.
What does it cost?
The RTI fee is ₹10; our drafting-and-filing service starts at ₹399.
What if they refuse citing an exemption?
They must state the specific provision (Section 8/9). If misapplied, that is a strong First Appeal ground — which we draft free if a department misses the deadline.
Whom do I file it to?
The PIO of the commission/recruitment body that conducted the exam. We identify the correct PIO for you.
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