Central Information Commission
K Sudhakara Hegde vs Life Insurance Corporation Of India on 24 June, 2025
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ माग, मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
File No: CIC/LICOI/A/2024/102779
K Sudhakara Hegde .....अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
PIO,
LIC of India, South Central Zonal
Office, Jeevan Bhagya, Saifabad,
Hyderabad - 500063 .... ितवादीगण /Respondent
Date of Hearing : 28.05.2025
Date of Decision : 24.06.2025
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER : Vinod Kumar Tiwari
Relevant facts emerging from appeal:
RTI application filed on : 07.07.2023
CPIO replied on : 01.08.2023
First appeal filed on : 28.08.2023
First Appellate Authority's order : 15.09.2023
2nd Appeal/Complaint dated : 29.01.2024
Information sought:
1. The Appellant filed an (offline) RTI application dated 07.07.2023 seeking the following information:
"Ref: 1. LIC of India, SC Zone, Hyderabad employment notice dated 21.01.2023.
With ref No. 1, my client applied for the advertisement of LIC of India to fill the post of Apprentice Development officer-2023. Accordingly, he cleared the Prelim's, Mains and appeared for Interview. Now, I request your good self, kindly arrange to provide the following information under RTI act 2005, which is essentially required for my Page 1 of 8 client to improve his weak areas to appear next competitive examinations. It may also help himto plan/improve his strategy among the other competitors.
1) Out of 40 interview marks, what is the minimum marks and what is the maximum marks may be awarded to a candidate, who appeared for interview of ADO-2023 and circular in this regard if any.
2) What is the procedure to announce the result with marks obtained by candidate after Main Examination and Interview for final selection.
Circular in this regard if any as per laid down procedure of LIC on par with UPSC/ KPSC/IBPS and other government recruiting agencies.
3) What is the procedure to announce the Interview marks to a candidate after completion of his Interview, as per laid down procedure of LIC on par with UPSC/ KPSC/IBPS other government recruiting agencies.
4) Tabulation of marks sheet (Mains & Interview marks separately) of all the candidates, who are appeared for the Interview at Mysuru and Nellore- Divisional office for the final selection of Apprentice Development officer - 2023.
5) Is there any system/ procedure or policy for transparency in the selection process of ADO /AAO to announce the interview marks of all the candidates, who appeared for interview on a particular day, i.e. the same day of interview, at the Divisional office notice board on day to day basis or a particular day/time on the Divisional office notice board after completion of the ADO/AAOs interview?"
2. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 01.08.2023 stating as under:
"Reply to Query 1 to5: The current round of recruitment of LIC ADO 2022- 23 is under process. The information shall be available after the entire selection process is over subject to fresh application. In respect of Q.no.5 with reference to AAO information sought is not available at our Office."
3. Being dissatisfied, the appellant filed a First Appeal dated 28.08.2023. The FAA vide its order dated 15.09.2023, held as under.
"On perusing the RTI application, the CPIO's reply and First Appeal, the Applicant is informed that the CPIO had aptly responded to the queries of the Appellant. The Appellant is informed as under:
With reference to your letter dated 27.08.2023, you have asked minimum and maximum marks for interview and certain procedures etc. in 2022-23 ADO recruitment.Page 2 of 8
We have already replied that the current round of recruitment of LIC ADO 2022-23 is under process. The information shall be available only after the entire selection process is over subject to fresh application.
With reference to appeal, the Appellant is informed that "entire selection process" means the completion of absorption of entire contingency lists for recruitment round. The reply given at application stage holds good.
With this order, I dispose of the Appeal received on 29.08.2023 of Sri. K Sudhakara Hegde."
4. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.
Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:
The following were present:-
Appellant: Present through VC.
Respondent: Ms. Jyoti Shree, CPIO-cum-Regional Manager (CRM), attended the hearing
5. The Appellant stated that the Respondent has not provided the relevant information as sought in the RTI Application.
6. The Respondent submitted that at the time of filing RTI Application, the averred recruitment process was under process and therefore no information could be given to the Appellant. He added that since the process of recruitment has now been completed, their office has provided the information to the Appellant vide written submission dated 22.05.2025.
7. The Appellant interjected and apprised the bench of the fact that he has not received any enclosures with the written submission of the Respondent and further added that the Respondent has not provided the information with respect to point No.4 of the RTI Application.
8. A written submission has been received from the Appellant vide letter dated 22.05.2025, stating as under:
Page 3 of 8"In connection with the above subject and reference, I wish to submit the following lines concerning my RTI application regarding the ADO selection 2023 of LIC.
The information sought by the applicant under queries 01 to 05 was not provided by LIC. However, both the CPIO and the Appellate Authority stated the same response:
"The current round of recruitment for LIC ADO 2022-2023 is under process. The information shall be available after the entire selection process is over, subject to a fresh application."
It was also clarified that the term "entire selection process" refers to the completion of absorption from the entire contingency list for the recruitment round.
RTI Query 1 to 5 is as below:-
1) Out of 40 interview marks, what is the minimum marks and what is the maximum marks may be awarded to a candidate, who appeared for interview of ADO-2023 and copy of the circular in this regard if any.
2) What is the procedure to announce the result with marks obtained by candidate after Main Examination and Interview for final selection? Circular in this regard if any as per laid down procedure of LIC on par with UPSC/KPSC/IBPS or other government recruitment boards.
3) What is the procedure to announce the interview marks to a candidate after completion of his interview, as per laid down procedure of LIC on par with UPSC/KPSC/IBPS or any other government recruitment boards?
4) Tabulation of marks sheet (Mains and interview marks separately) of all candidates, who are appeared for the interview at Dharwad Divisional office for the final selection of Apprentice Development Officer -2023.
5) Is there any system/ Procedure or policy for transparency in the selection process of ADO, to announce the interview marks of all candidates, who appeared for interview on a particular day, i.e. The same day of interview, at the divisional office notice board on day to day basis or a particular day/ time on the Divisional office notice board after completion of the ADO interview?
The purpose of the above information is to ensure that the talent of young graduates in this country is utilized in a proper and transparent manner by recruiting meritorious candidates for government jobs, without wasting their valuable time and money. After passing the two-stage written examination, only the top-scoring candidates are called for interviews based on the number of vacancies. However, fixing the pass marks at 15 out of 40 is a mockery of the recruitment process adopted by the LIC, effectively nullifying the purpose of the written examination. "There is a major difference between the pass mark and the minimum guaranteed mark."
Page 4 of 8In contrast, other recruiting agencies such as IBPS-RRB guarantee a minimum of 40% marks (i.e., 16 out of 40) to each candidate who appears for the interview. This method leaves very little scope for bias. Accordingly, the requested details may kindly be provided on or before 28.05.2025 without fail."
9. A written submission has been received from Shri Rajesh Bhardwaj, FAA, vide letter dated 22.05.2025, a copy of which has been sent to the Appellant and the same has been taken on record. The relevant extract of the same is as under:
"Second Appeal:
Being dissatisfied with the CPIO reply and First Appellate order, the appellant preferred an Second Appeal to the Hon'ble CIC as below:
1) Out of 40 interview marks, what is the minimum marks and what is the maximum marks may be awarded to a candidate, who appeared for interview of ADO-2023 and copy of the circular in this regard if any.
2) What is the procedure to announce the result with marks obtained by candidate after Main Examination and Interview for final selection. Circular in this regard if any as per laid down procedure of LIC on par with UPSC or other government recruiting Boards.
3) What is the procedure to announce the Interview marks to a candidate after completion of his Interview, as per laid down procedure of LIC on par with UPSCOT any other government recruiting Boards.
4) Tabulation of marks sheet (Mains & Interview marks separately) of all the candidates, who are appeared for the Interview at Dharwad - Divisional office for the final selection of Apprentice Development officer - 2023.
5) Is there any system / procedure or policy for transparency in the selection process of ADO, to announce the interview marks of all the candidates, who appeared for interview on a particular day, i.e. the same day of interview, at the Divisional office notice board on day to day basis or a particular day time, on the Divisional office notice board after completion of the ADO interview?
We humbly submit before the Hon'ble CIC that:
The appellant had sought information regarding ADO recruitment 2023. CPIO and FAA had aptly responded to the appellant as per the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005 as the recruitment of LIC ADO 2022-23 was under process. Since the process of recruitment has now been completed, we inform as under:
Ref: CIC/LICOI/A/2024/102779/Sri. K Sudhakara Hegde Page 5 of 8 Reply To Q.No.1 Out of 40 interview marks, Minimum qualifying mark: 15 (for SC, ST); 18 (OBC,EWS & GEN) Copy of mail from Central Office enclosed(dt.09.06.2023) Maximum marks -40.
Reply To Q.No.2 The procedure to announce results: Ranking Lists are prepared by clubbing Main exam marks and Interview Marks. Results are announced as per vacancies in various categories on the basis of category wise ranking lists. The procedure was laid down in Page No.5, Point No.8 in Selection Procedure of LIC ADO Notification dated 21.01.2023 enclosed. Copy Reply To Q.No.3 & 5 Procedure to announce interview marks: Interview Committee constituted by Z.O. would have given marks basing on performance of the Candidate. The marks awarded by interview committee would be clubbed with Main exam marks and ranking lists would be prepared. The lists duly signed by Committee members and SDM-in-charge of respective divisions would be sent to ZO for approval of ZM. After approval by ZM, results would be announced/displayed by Divisions on a particular date set by Competent Authority.
Reply To Q.No.4 - The information pertaining to third party is denied under Section 8 (1) (j) of RTI Act, 2005.
In the light of the above, we humbly request the Hon'ble Information Commissioner to consider the case favorably and to dismiss summarily the second appeal filed by Sri K Sudhakara Hegde"
Decision:
10. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both the parties and perusal of the records, observes that at the time of filing RTI Application, the averred recruitment process was under process and therefore the reply provided by the CPIO at the relevant time was appropriate. He added that since the process of recruitment has now been completed, the Respondent has provided the information to the Appellant vide written submission dated 22.05.2025 but the Appellant has not received any enclosures. Therefore, the CPIO is directed to resend the averred written submission along with the relevant enclosures to the Appellant within two weeks from the date of receipt of this order.
11. The Commission further observes that the denial of information by the Respondent on point No. 4 of the RTI Application citing Section 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act is not convincing in view of a recent judgment dated Page 6 of 8 11.11.2024, passed by the Hon'ble High Court of Bombay, in W.P. No. 9648 of 2021 titled as Shri Onkar Dattatray Kalmankar Versus Public Information Officer and Registrar & Ors., wherein the Hon'ble Court has held that marks obtained by candidates in recruitment process to public posts can be disclosed under the Right to Information Act, 2005 and disclosure of the same will not amount to violation of candidates' privacy. The relevant para of the above judgment is reiterated below for ready reference:
"xxx
51. Since we have found that the disclosure of the marks obtained by the candidates in the written test, typing test and interviewers did not constitute any exempted information or did not affect the confidentiality of the exam so conducted, we must say that the approach of the District authorities in Wardha contributed to the promotion of transparency which should typically be promoted in matters of public recruitment. Withholding such information unnecessarily allows doubts, however unreasonable, to linger, which is not very healthy in promoting transparency and accountability in the working of public authorities and public recruitment processes. Regarding RTI, it is repeatedly asserted that sunlight is the best disinfectant.
52. Therefore, though the Wardha disclosure may not be binding precedents, we still think there was nothing wrong with the District Authorities at Wardha making such disclosures. By making such disclosures, the district authorities at Wardha cannot be said to have breached or acted in ignorance of the provisions in Section 8(1)(j) and Section 11 of the RTI Act or Rule 13(e) of the Maharashtra District Courts Right to Information (Revised Rules) 2009 or instructions no.19 issued to the candidates in the advertisement inviting applications for recruitment to the post of Junior Clerk.
53. Regarding the selection criteria, we are satisfied that such criteria are already reflected in the departmental recruitment rules and the instructions given to the candidates. Details of eligibility, age, and selection criteria are already disclosed in the instructions dated 28 March 2018. The petitioner, aggrieved by his non- selection, possibly wished to probe deeper and ascertain what was in the selectors' minds, notably when they marked the candidates in the interview test. This is perhaps the petitioner's intention because, in the appeal memo, the petitioner slipped in additional information regarding the interviewers' names, even though such information was never sought in the original application seeking information. Therefore, we agree with Mr Datar that there was no obligation to provide additional information about the criteria or the interviewers' names.
54. For all the above reasons, we partly allow this petition and set aside the impugned orders to the extent that they denied the petitioner disclosure of marks secured by him and the candidates from 1 to 363 in the Page 7 of 8 written/screening test, Marathi and English typing test, and interview for the recruitment process for Junior Clerk at Pune District Court.
55. Further, We Direct the concerned respondents to furnish the petitioner with the marks obtained by candidates 1 to 363 in the written/screening test, Marathi and English typing test, and interview for the recruitment process for Junior Clerk at Pune District Court within six weeks of the Petitioner depositing the necessary costs with the PIO."
12. In view of the applicability of the above ratio, the Commission directs the Respondent to provide a revised reply on point No. 4 of the RTI Application by furnishing the requisite information pertaining to category wise list of selected candidates in order of merits along with marks obtained in interview and written exam, to the Appellant, within two weeks from the date of receipt of this order. If the Respondent requires assistance from any other office/officer for compliance with the above directions, the same shall be sought by invoking Section 5(4) of RTI Act.
13. The First Appellate Authority to ensure compliance with the directions.
The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Vinod Kumar Tiwari (िवनोद कुमार ितवारी) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) Authenticated true copy (अिभ मािणत स!ािपत ित) (S. Anantharaman) Dy. Registrar 011- 26181927 Date Copy To:
The FAA LIC of India, South Central Zonal Office, Jeevan Bhagya, Saifabad, Hyderabad - 500063 Page 8 of 8 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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