Central Information Commission
Harshvardhan Shah vs Csir Hqrs, New Delhi on 6 April, 2026
CIC/CSIRD/A/2025/601992
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ माग,मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
ि तीय अपील सं ा / Second Appeal No. CIC/CSIRD/A/2025/601992
Harshvardhan Shah ... अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO: Council of Scientific
& Industrial Research (M/o. ... ितवादीगण/Respondents
Science & Technology), New
Delhi
Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:
RTI : 13.11.2024 FA : 12.12.2024 SA : 11.01.2024
CPIO : 11.12.2024 FAO : 07.01.2025 Hearing : 02.04.2026
Date of Decision: 02.04.2026
CORAM:
Hon'ble Commissioner
Shri P R Ramesh
ORDER
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 13.11.2024 seeking information on the following points:
(1) Raw & normalized score in paper 1,2,3 and interview, CPT & re CPT status, category applied from, merit category, post/s applied for (SO/ASO/both), exam date, shift, center of stage 1 and stage 2, Medium of descriptive paper, state/UT of residence, date of birth.
(2) Contract details of exam conducting agency.Page 1 of 7
CIC/CSIRD/A/2025/601992 (3) Evaluated/unevaluated copies of the 191 candidates called for interview. (4) Evaluated copy of mine (roll number: 320117398). As per the judgement of Bombay High Court in Onkar Kalmankar vs Public Information Officer (Writ Petition 9648 of 2021), 2024, It is not invasion of privacy of anyone to disclose marks obtained by the candidates.
2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 11.12.2024 and the same is reproduced as under
:-
"Recruitment Cell Reply:- Annexure (A) Copy enclosed. (01 Page) इस कार आपके उपरो RT। आवेदन का िनपटारा िकया जाता है ।
Reference application on pre-page, the point wise information, as available in records of Recruitment Cell, CSIR Hqr is as under:
Point 1: No such information is available as information is not maintained in the format requested by the applicant, being not required under the rules. The information in the format available has already been put in public domain i.e. website of CSIR i.e. https://www.csir.res.in/ldre- examination-notification.
Point 2, 3 & 4: The recruitment activities for CSIR CASE-2023 are still under process and sharing the vital information at this juncture will impair the recruitment process. Shareable information will be put in public domain on completion of the recruitment process. The candidates are advised to keep visiting the CSIR website i.e. https://www.csir.res.in for updates.
Further, reference is invited to clause 9.2 (r) of advertisement no. E- 1/RC/2023/1 related to 'General terms & conditions' for CASE-2023 which interalia stipulated that "all the subsequent information/ Page 2 of 7 CIC/CSIRD/A/2025/601992 notification/corrigendum/addendum regarding this recruitment drive will be hosted on the CSIR website only. Hence, applicants are requested to follow the CSIR website i.e. https://www.csir.res.in for updates". Reference is also invited to clause 9.2 (t) of the same advertisement which clearly states that "no interim enquiry or correspondence will be entertained". More shareable information related to this recruitment process will be placed in public domain in due course of time.
3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 12.12.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 07.01.2025 observed as under:-
"This has reference to your RTI Appeal No.CSIRH/A/E/24/00154 dated 12/12/2024. Your appeal has been examined by me. The information received from the CSIR (Recruitment Cell-Establishment 1 Section) is enclosed for your information (copy attached). Thus, your appeal application is disposed of."
4. Aggrieved and dissatisfied, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 11.01.2024.
Facts emerging in Course of Hearing:
Appellant: Not present Respondent: Ms. Vandana Digvijay Singh, CPIO, CSIR, Hqrs, Shri Sachin ASO, Shri Harsih Kumar, DS, Shri Anil Kumar Sharma, US- participated in the hearing.
5. The Respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that the relevant information has been duly provided to the Appellant. They stated that otal 444 posts of SO and ASO were advertised through CASE-2023. Approximately 4.75 Lacs candidates applied. The work of conduct of examination was outsourced to Examination Conducting Agency (ECA). 2.5 Lacs (approx.) candidates appeared in Stage-I examination and 7655 candidates appeared in Stage-Il examination. All the candidates who appeared in the Stage-
Page 3 of 7CIC/CSIRD/A/2025/601992 I, II and CPT/re CPT were provided equal opportunity to view/download/print their score cards. The information related to examination date, shift, medium of descriptive paper were published through CSIR website (copies enclosed). Further, shareable information of individual candidates who were shortlisted for Stage-II examination, candidates selected finally and marks secured by finally selected candidates has already available in public domain. Further generic details of Examination Conducting Agency (ECA) is already available on public domain. A written submission dated 16.03.2026 has been received from the CPIO and same has been taken on record. The relevant extract whereof as under:
"It is kindly submitted that the aforesaid RTI application dated 13.11.2024 was received online in this office and diarised on the CSIR RTI portal vide no CSIRH/R/E/24/00659. Further since the matter was found to be pertaining to Recruitment Cell CSIR-HQ, New Delhi, the said RTI application was forwarded to Recruitment Cell CSIR-HQ by the undersigned (u/s). The Recruitment Cell CSIR HQ replied "Point 1: No such information is available as information is not maintained in the format requested by the applicant, being not required under the rules. The information in the format available has already been put in public domain i.e. website of CSIR i.e. https://www.csir.res.in/Idce-examination- notification. Point 2, 3 & 4: The recruitment activities for CSIR CASE-2023 are still under process and sharing the vital information at this juncture will impair the recruitment process. Shareable information will be put in public domain on completion of the recruitment process. The candidates are advised to keep visiting the CSIR website i.e. https://www.csir.res.in for updates.
Further, reference is invited to clause 9.2 (r) of advertisement no. E- 1/RC/2023/1 related to 'General terms & conditions' for CASE 2023 which interalia stipulated that "all the subsequent information/ notification / corrigendum / addendum regarding this recruitment drive will be hosted on Page 4 of 7 CIC/CSIRD/A/2025/601992 the CSIR website only. Hence, applicants are requested to follow the CSIR website i.e. https://www.csir.res.in for updates". Reference is also invited to clause 9.2 (t) of the same advertisement which clearly states that "no interim enquiry or correspondence will be entertained". More shareable information related to this recruitment process will be placed in public domain in due course of time, and the same was conveyed to the applicant vide CPIO reply dated 11.12.2024.
Further, the Applicant filed first appeal dated 12.12.2024 which was considered by the First Appellate Authority CSIR HQ and was replied to vide FAA CSIR HQ letter dated 07.01.2025(copy enclosed).
REPLY TO THE PRESENT SECOND APPEAL: As regards the reply of CSIR HQ in reference to this second appeal, a copy of the reply dated 12.03.2026, as furnished by the Recruitment Cell, CSIR HQ to the u/s, is attached herewith for kind perusal. (Annexure -D) Therefore, in view of the factual position brought out as above, your Hon'ble self may kindly see for passing of orders as deemed appropriate.
1. It is submitted that total 444 posts of SO and ASO were advertised through CASE-2023. Approximately 4.75 Lacs candidates applied. The work of conduct of examination was outsourced to Examination Conducting Agency (ECA). 2.5 Lacs (approx.) candidates appeared in Stage-I examination and 7655 candidates appeared in Stage-Il examination. All the candidates who appeared in the Stage-I, II and CPT/re CPT were provided equal opportunity to view/download/print their score cards. The information related to examination date, shift, medium of descriptive paper were published through CSIR website (copies enclosed). Further, shareable information of individual candidates who were shortlisted for Stage-II examination, candidates selected finally and marks secured by finally selected candidates has already available in public Page 5 of 7 CIC/CSIRD/A/2025/601992 domain under the link: https://www.csir.res.in/en/case-career- opportunities/recruitment. 2. The information regarding contract details of ECA is exempted under 8(1)(e) of RTI Act, 2005. 3. With regards to providing copies of all 191 candidates, the same are exempted under 8(1)(d) & (e) of RTI Act, 2005. 4. It is stated that as regards disclosure of copy of evaluated answer scripts of the applicant, the issue remains sub- judice before the Hon'ble Delhi High Court (UPSC v. Kavitha Panicker & Anr., W.P.(C) 17101/2022) and is presently stayed. Hence, it would not be judicious to disclose the answer script of the Appellant at this stage (CIC decision dated 09.02.2026 in Notice No. CIC/CSIRD/A/2024/654937)..."
Decision:
6. Upon perusal of records and submissions made during hearing, it is noted that the Appellant's queries had been appropriately answered by concerned PIO. Furthermore, written submission filed by the Respondent is comprehensive and self-explanatory. Thus, information as permissible under the provisions of the RTI Act has been duly furnished to the Appellant. In the given circumstances, intervention of the Commission is not warranted in this case under the RTI Act. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.
Sd/-
(P R Ramesh) (पी. आर. रमे श) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) Authenticated true copy Vivek Agarwal (िववेक अ वाल) Dy. Registrar (उप पं जीयक) 011-26107048 Addresses of the parties:
Page 6 of 7CIC/CSIRD/A/2025/601992 1 The CPIO Under Secretary & CPIO, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (M/o.
Science & Technology), Anusandhan Bhawan, 2--Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001 2 Harshvardhan Shah Page 7 of 7 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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