Central Information Commission
Nikku Abhishek Kumar vs Central Board Of Secondary Education on 21 August, 2025
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गं गनाथ माग,मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
ि तीय अपील सं ा / Second Appeal No. CIC/CBSED/A/2024/650228 +
CIC/CBSED/A/2024/643637
Nikku Abhishek Kumar ... अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO: Central Board Of
Secondary Education, Preet ... ितवादीगण/Respondent
Vihar, New Delhi
Relevant dates emerging from the appeal(s):
Sl. No. Second Date of Date of Date of Date of Date of
Appeal RTI CPIO's First FAA's Second
No. Application Reply Appeal Order Appeal
1. 650228 24.05.2024 19.06.2024 05.07.2024 13.08.2024 12.11.2024
2. 643637 03.04.2024 01.05.2024 07.05.2024 03.07.2024 13.09.2024
The instant set of appeals have been clubbed for decision as these relate to similar
RTI Applications and same subject matter.
Date of Hearing: 11.08.2025
Date of Decision: 19.08.2025
CORAM:
Hon'ble Commissioner
_ANANDI RAMALINGAM
ORDER
Second Appeal No. CIC/CBSED/A/2024/650228 Page 1 of 12
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 24.05.2024 seeking information on the following points:
Request for Following Details to be asked from- Divine Public School- Address- Jamapur, Ziradei, Siwan, Bihar- 841245- CBSE Affiliation No- 330952, School Code- 66674: -
1. Total number of Students presently admitted/Studying up to Std12, With distribution of number of students in each class/section. Among total Students how many Students are Boarders & Non-Boarders?
2. What is total Details Fee Structures of Boarders & Non-Boarders along with Bus/Transportation Charges for Students?
3. How many total Teaching & Non-Teaching Staffs presently working at School, Please Provide me details of Qualification, Pay Scale or Gross Salary of each of them against their Name?
4. Lists of all Teachers/Staffs working at Physics Lab, Chemistry Lab, Biology Lab, Computer Lab, Library etc. along with details of their Qualification, Experience & Gross payment provided to them. Is There Separate list of Teachers/Staffs Employed at above places? Yes/No in Both cases please provide me details?
5. How many total number of School Buses Presently running/Employed at School, Please provide me all Bus Number, their Registration Number, Their Owner Name & their route in which Buses runs along with distance of each route? ..., etc./ other related information 1.1. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 19.06.2024 and the same is reproduced as under :-
"Point 1: The information pertaining to current status of class-wise student strength has been self-declared by the concerned school as part of Comprehensive Report Card of the School on OASIS portal which is already available in public Page 2 of 12 domain on CBSE website https://www.cbse.gov.in/ under GIS Mapping of Schools or under the given direct link: https://cbseit.in/cbse/cbse_maps/udiselocatecbse Rest of the information is not compiled in this office.
Point 2: The School Fee Structure and any other Fee charged by a CBSE Affiliated School is neither prescribed nor regulated by CBSE. The desired information fee structure of the students has been self-declared and uploaded by the concerned school on its official website as part of Mandatory Public Disclosure. The desired information can be obtained from the following Website/Link: Website: https://divineschoolziradei.in/ Link:
https://divineschoolziradei.in/Fee_structure_24-25.aspx Point 3 and 4: As per the presently applicable norms, the staff details in respect of affiliated Schools with effect from 2022-23 onwards is neither sought nor compiled by this office. In place of the staff details, the Schools are supposed to furnish faculty strength details only. The said faculty strength details are already self- declared by the concerned School in public domain on CBSE website www.cbse.gov.in under GIS Mapping of Schools which can also be accessed at the given link: https://cbseit.in/cbse/cbse_maps/udiselocatecbse However, in the light of CBSE guidelines, the concerned school has been informed to upload the latest details of teaching staff with qualifications on its website. As per Chapter 5 clause 5.2 (5.2.2) of CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018 teaching and non-teaching staff should be appointed by the schools on pay scales and allowances prescribed by the Appropriate Government where the school is located. As per presently applicable norms, salary related details of the school staff is not compiled by this office. The information pertaining to pay scale/salary of staff of affiliated schools is not compiled by this office.
Point 5: Information pertaining to school buses has been self-declared by the concerned school on CBSE website https://www.cbse.gov.in/ under GIS Mapping of Schools as part of Comprehensive Report Card which can also be accessed at Page 3 of 12 the given link: https://cbseit.in/cbse/cbse_maps/udiselocatecbse Rest of the information is not compiled in this office. ...Etc."
1.2. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 05.07.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 13.08.2024 upheld the reply given by the CPIO.
1.3. Aggrieved with the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 12.11.2024.
Second Appeal No. CIC/CBSED/A/2024/643637
2. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 03.04.2024 seeking information on the following points:
1. Details of all Trust members of - Rajbanshi Lok Kalyan Trust- under which above School is running.
2. Details of all updated Teaching & Non-Teaching Staffs with their Qualifications, Pay Scale /Gross Salary & Other facilities provided to them.
Please provide exact Pay Scale/Gross Salary & Qualification. Please donot provide unclear Data/Information.
3. Is there any NOC/Authorization to run Residential School, Pharmacy College, Management College, Students Hostel, Teachers & Staff Hostels/Quarters, Principal Quarter, School Canteen, School Kitchen & Dining Hall within Same Campus. If Yes then Please Provide Copy of it & if NO then Please Justify.
4. As Per DEO, Siwan, Bihar- 841226 Data/Certificate your School is running 1st-8th Standard but on Ground Level it is running upto 12th Standard. Please justify & provide Authorization copy to run upto 12th Standard if Available.
5. Why a number of RTI filled with -Divine Public School- manually but till date no any information/reply given? ..., etc./ other related information Page 4 of 12 2.1. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 01.05.2024 and the same is reproduced as under :-
"Point 1 The desired information on members of Trust of the School is available on official website of School https://divineschoolziradei.in/ or at the given link:
https://divineschoolziradei.in/pdf/trust.pdf2.pdf Point 2 As per available records, the Staff details against application for the year 2021-22 is the only available latest details in the context of the concerned school. The list containing name, designation and qualification is enclosed for information please. As per Chapter 5 clause 5.2 (5.2.2) of CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws teaching and non-teaching staff should be appointed by the schools on pay scales and allowances prescribed by the Appropriate Government where the school is located. As per presently applicable norms, salary related details of the school staff is not compiled by this office. As per presently applicable norms of the Board, the information pertaining to Pay Scale/Gross Salary and other facilities provided to the teaching and non-teaching staff is not compiled by the Board. As per the presently applicable norms, the staff details in respect of affiliated Schools with effect from 2022-23 onwards is neither sought nor compiled by this office. In place of the staff details, the Schools are supposed to furnish faculty strength details only. The said faculty strength details are already self-declared by the concerned School in public domain on CBSE website www.cbse.gov.in under GIS Mapping of Schools which can also be accessed at the given link:
https://cbseit.in/cbse/cbse_maps/udiselocatecbse However, in the light of CBSE guidelines, the concerned school has been informed to upload the latest details of teaching staff with qualifications on its website.
Point 3: CBSE guidelines for residential schools is available on CBSE website https://saras.cbse.gov.in/SARAS or at the given link https://saras.cbse.gov.in/saras/Circulars/Circular24_2023638291895542842523. pdf Besides, Clause 14.27 of Chapter 14 of CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws may also be referred. In addition Clause 9.1 (9.1.3) of Chapter 9 and Clause 14.10 of Page 5 of 12 Chapter 14 of CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws may also be referred. CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws is available on CBSE website https://saras.cbse.gov.in/SARAS or at the given link: https://saras.cbse.gov.in/saras/Home/Information No other information is available in this regard.
Point 4: Based on the NOC obtained by the School and available on official website of School https://divineschoolziradei.in/ or at the given link: https://divineschoolziradei.in/pdf/NOC.pdf3.pdf the concerned School as on date has been affiliated with CBSE up to Senior Secondary level. Latest copy of affiliation letter has been uploaded by the concerned School on its official website https://divineschoolziradei.in/ or at the given link:
https://divineschoolziradei.in/pdf/affiliation_letter.pdf1.pdf Point 5 and 6: As per available records no such RTI application has been forwarded by the office of the District Education Office, Siwan, Bihar to this office of CBSE. As per enclosed documents, it is precise that vide its letter dt. 05.12.2023 the office of the Bihar Education Project has forwarded the application of the applicant to the concerned school and not to this office of CBSE. The applicant may approach the concerned School for seeking further information, if any in this regard. No such application is pending with this office."
2.2. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 07.05.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 03.07.2024 upheld the reply given by the CPIO.
2.3. Aggrieved with the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 13.09.2024.
3. The appellant attended the hearing through video conference and on behalf of the respondent Mr. Pankaj Kshettry, CPIO, attended the hearing in-person.
Page 6 of 124. In both the cases, the appellant inter alia submitted that instead of providing the information sought, the CPIO had provided irrelevant weblinks wherein no information was available. He stated that his wife is employed in the school as librarian and through these RTI application he wants to know her details as a matrimonial dispute is pending in Siwan Court. In response, the respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that number of students, bus and fee structure were available on the weblink provided to the appellant. Further, details of staff and education details of teachers working in all labs and libraries as sought by the appellant are not maintained by them. Further, the appellant was not satisfied with the staff details provided earlier. However, the school has been informed to upload the latest details of teachers including qualifications. However, the same is not available with them. A written submission dated 11.08.2025 of the respondent is reproduced as under:-
"Point 1:
The information pertaining to current status of class-wise student strength has been self-declared by the concerned school as part of Comprehensive Report Card of the School on CBSE website https://www.cbse.gov.in/ under GIS Mapping of Schools or under the given direct link:
https://cbseit.in/cbse/cbse_maps/udiselocatecbse Direct Link: https://saras.cbse.gov.in/maps/finalreportDetail? AffNo=330952 Rest of the information pertaining to number of boarders (boarding students) and non-boarders (non-boarding students) is not separately compiled in this office. Point 2:
The currently applicable fee structure has been self-declared by the school on its official website as part of Mandatory Public Disclosure. The desired information can be obtained from the following Website/Link: Website: https://divineschoolziradei.in/Default.aspx Link: https://divineschoolziradei.in/pdf/Fee_Structure.pdf12.pdf Page 7 of 12 Rest of the information pertaining to Bus/Transportation Charges for Students is not separately compiled in this office.
Point 3 and 4:
In the light of Sl. No. 5 (clause 2.4.9) of CBSE Circular 03/2021 dt. 05.03.2021 (https://saras.cbse.gov.in/saras/Circulars/Circular3.pdf), the affiliated schools have to upload details of its presently available teachers in the school with qualifications on its website. The concerned school has been once again informed to upload the latest details of teachers including qualifications on its website. The desired customized information of teachers working in the laboratories and library in the manner sought by the Appellant is not compiled in this office. The Appellant has informed that his alleged wife has been working in the concerned School as Librarian cum Assistant Teacher since April-2022. The Appellant has already been provided with Staff List for the year 2021-22 as available in the records of the Board. However, the name of the Appellant's alleged wife does not appear on this list.
As per Chapter 5 clause 5.2 (5.2.2) of CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018, teaching and non-teaching staff should be appointed by the schools on pay scales and allowances prescribed by the Appropriate Government where the school is located.
As per extant norms, rest of the salary related desired information, if any available in the records of the Board, cannot be provided as the same contains third party service matter related personal information and the same is held by the Board in fiduciary capacity for the purpose of granting affiliation to the Schools. Hence, such salary related information, if any available cannot be provided under section 8(1) (j) of the RTI Act 2005.Page 8 of 12
Point 5:
Information pertaining to school buses has been self-declared by the concerned school on CBSE website https://www.cbse.gov.in/ under GIS Mapping of Schools as part of Comprehensive Report Card:
Link: https://cbseit.in/cbse/cbse_maps/udiselocatecbse Direct Link: https://saras.cbse.gov.in/maps/finalreportDetail?AffNo=330952 Rest of the school transport related information is not compiled in this office. Point 6 (1) In the light of Sl. No. 5 (clause 2.4.9) of CBSE Circular 03/2021 dt. 05.03.2021 (https://saras.cbse.gov.in/saras/Circulars/Circular3.pdf), the affiliated schools have to upload details of its presently available teachers in the school with qualifications on its website. The concerned school has been once again informed to upload the details of teachers including qualifications on its website. As per the presently applicable norms, rest of the salary related desired information, if any available in the records of the Board, cannot be provided as the same contains third party service matter related personal information and the same is held by the Board in fiduciary capacity for the purpose of granting affiliation to the Schools. Hence, such salary related information, if any available cannot be provided under section 8(1) (j) of the RTI Act 2005. Point 6 (ii) and (iii) The desired information is beyond the purview of CBSE. Such information is neither collected from the affiliated schools, nor compiled in this office. In view of the above, the Hon'ble Commission is respectfully requested to consider the Respondent's position and issue appropriate directions accordingly."
5. In file no. CIC/CBSED/A/2024/643637, the respondent stated that the appellant had sought complete details of all trust members including deeds, teaching and non- teaching staff etc. to which the CPIO has provided a weblink wherein all necessary Page 9 of 12 information is available. It was further stated that clarification regarding affiliation of the school had also been provided. A written submission dated 11.08.2025 of the respondent is reproduced as under:-
"1. The appellant has been provided with all available information in a point-wise manner, based on the records, information available with the Board and provisions of the RTI Act, 2005. In addition to the elaborate information provided to the Appellant above, the following additional information is also provided for more clarity.
2. In respect of Point No. 2 of RTI request it is informed that in the light of Sl. No. 5 03/2021 dt. (clause 2.4.9) of CBSE Circular 05.03.2021 (https://saras.cbse.gov.in/saras/Circulars/Circular3.pdf), the affiliated schools have to upload details of its presently available teachers in the school with qualifications on its website. The concerned school has been once again informed to upload the details of teachers including qualifications on its website.
3. As per available information, the concerned School is a Residential School. The information in this regard has been self declared by the concerned School on CBSE website/link given below: Website: https://www.cbse.gov.in/Link:
https://saras.cbse.gov.in/maps/finalreportDetail?AffNo=330952
4. As per available records the concerned School is affiliated with CBSE upto Senior Secondary level. The information in this regard is available on CBSE website/link given below: Website: https://saras.cbse.gov.in/saras/Link: https://saras.cbse.gov.in/saras/AffiliatedList/AfflicationDetails/330952
5. Rest of the issues raised by the Appellant in the first appeal are apparently in the form of objections and complaints against the concerned School.
6. The appellant is informed that RTI is a mechanism to obtain information which is available in the records of the public authority concerned and not to use it as a forum to lodge complaint or raise objections/grievance. Complaints cannot be Page 10 of 12 classified as information under Section 2 (f) of the RTI Act 2005. Besides, explanation based interrogative questions seeking justifications also do not fall within the definition of Information as per Section 2 (f) of the RTI Act 2005.
7. Whatever information was sought from CBSE has been provided to the Appellant as available. For redressal of the grievance, if any in this regard, the Appellant may approach the office of the concerned District Education Officer/State Education Department/Directorate of Education, under the jurisdiction of which the concerned School is located."
6. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both parties and perusal of records, observes that the CPIO has provided appropriate replies to the appellant vide letters dated 01.05.2024 and 19.06.2024. Further, the appellant during the hearing informed the bench that he wants to know his wife's details who is librarian in the school and the same cannot be provided u/s 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act, 2005. In view of the above, the Commission finds no scope of intervention in the matters. Accordingly, the appeals are dismissed.
Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.
Sd/-
(Anandi Ramalingam) (आनंदी रामिलंगम) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) िदनांक/Date: 19.08.2025 Authenticated true copy O. P. Pokhriyal (ओ. पी. पोख रयाल) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26180514 Page 11 of 12 Addresses of the parties:
1. The CPIO Central Board Of Secondary Education, CPIO, RTI Branch, "Shiksha Kendra", Headquarter, 2, Community Centre Preet Vihar, Delhi -110092 2 Nikku Abhishek Kumar Page 12 of 12 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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