Central Information Commission
Vageesh vs Csir Hqrs, New Delhi on 10 February, 2026
CIC/CSIRD/A/2024/654937
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ माग,मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई द ली, New Delhi - 110067
ि तीय अपील सं या / Second Appeal No. CIC/CSIRD/A/2024/654937
Vageesh ... 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 : 08.10.2024 FA : 28.11.2024 SA : Nil.
CPIO : 12.11.2024 FAO : 06.12.2024 Hearing : 09.02.2026
Date of Decision: 09.02.2026
CORAM:
Hon'ble Commissioner
Shri P R Ramesh
ORDER
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 08.10.2024 seeking information on the following points:
"I had appeared for CSIR - COMBINED ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES EXAMINATION 2023 for SO/ASO post Paper 3(descriptive) on dated July 7, 2024 at Accurate Assessment Agency, Plot no. 603, SHABAD EXTENSION AREA SECTOR -17, ROHINI, opposite DELHI TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, DTU, Delhi, 110042.My roll number was 336106003 and Page 1 of 6 CIC/CSIRD/A/2024/654937 application number was 10009567. Now I want to get copy of my answer sheet of the above said exam under RTI ACT 2005. Please provide the same."
2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 12.11.2024 and the same is reproduced as under:-
Recruitment Cell Reply:- Annexure (A) Copy enclosed. (01 Page) इस कार आपके उपरो RI। आवेदन का िनपटारा िकया जाता है ।
Point 1: 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 the csir website only. Hence, applicants are requested to follow the csir website i.e. https://www.csir.res.in for updates".
Further 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 28.11.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 06.12.2024 observed as under :-
"This has reference to your RTI Appeal No. CSIRH/A/E/24/000137 dated 28/11/2024. Your appeal has been examined by me. The information received from the CSIR-Recruitment Cell (Estt. I Sec) 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 Nil.
Page 2 of 6
CIC/CSIRD/A/2024/654937 Facts emerging in Course of Hearing:
Appellant: Not present Respondent: Ms. Vandana Digvijay Singh, DS, Shri Sachin , ASO, Shri Harish Dy. Secy. Shri Anil Kumar, US- participated in the hearing.
5. The Respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that as disclosure of answer sheet of the candidate, the issue has been already decided by the Apex Court in CA. No. 6159-6162/2013, titled as UPSC vs Angesh Kumar, dated 20.02.2018 and also decision of CIC in Second Appeal No. CIC/UPSCM/A/2023/647930 titled as Hemant Singh vs UPSC, dated 02.01.2025. They averred that disclosure of answer sheet is exempted under Section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act. A written submission dated 30.01.2026 has been received from CPIO and same has been taken on record for perusal. The relevant extract whereof is as under :
"...यह िवन तापूवक िनवेदन है क उपरो RT।
आवेदन दनांक 08.10.2024 इस कायालय म ऑनलाइन ा आ था और
CSIR RTI पोटल पर नंबर CSIRH/R/E/24/00552 के तहत डायरी म दज कया गया था। इसके अलावा, चूं क मामला र ू टमट सेल CSIR-HQ, नई द ली से संबंिधत पाया गया, इसिलए उ RT। आवेदन मेरे ारा (u/s) र ू टमट सेल CSIR-HQ को भेज दया गया था। र ू टमट सेल CSIR HQ ने जवाब दया पॉइंट 1: िव ापन सं या E-1/RC/2023/1 के लॉज 9.2 (r) का संदभ ल जो CASE 2023 के िलए 'सामा य िनयम और शत से संबंिधत है, िजसम अ य बात के साथ- साथ यह िनधा रत कया गया था क "इस भत अिभयान से संबंिधत सभी बाद क जानकारी/अिधसूचना/शुि प /प रिश के वल csir वेबसाइट पर ही हो ट कए जाएंगे। इसिलए, आवेदक से अनुरोध है क अपडेट के िलए csir वेबसाइट यानी https://www.csir.res.in देख।" इसके अलावा, उसी िव ापन Page 3 of 6 CIC/CSIRD/A/2024/654937 के लॉज 9.2 (t) का भी संदभ ल िजसम प प से कहा गया है क "कोई भी अंत रम पूछताछ या प ाचार वीकार नह कया जाएगा। इस भत या से संबंिधत अिधक साझा करने यो य जानकारी उिचत समय पर सावजिनक डोमेन म रखी जाएगी और यही बात आवेदक को CPIO के जवाब दनांक 12.11.2024 के मा यम से बताई गई थी।"
इसके अलावा, आवेदक ने 28.11.2024 को पहली अपील दायर क थी, िजस पर थम अपीलीय ािधकारी CSIR HQ ारा िवचार कया गया और FAA CSIR HQ के प दनांक 06.12.2024 के मा यम से जवाब दया गया ( ित संल )।
वतमान दूसरी अपील का जवाबः इस दूसरी अपील के संबंध म CSIR HQ के जवाब के बारे म, र ू टमट सेल, CSIR HQ ारा अधोह ता री को दए गए दनांक 20.01.2026 के जवाब क एक कॉपी आपक जानकारी के िलए यहाँ अटैच है। (अनुल क D)..
1. The applicant sought answer sheet of Descriptive Paper of Stage-II examination of Combined Administrative Services Examination-2023 (CASE-2023) vide RTI application No. CSIRH/R/E/24/00552 dated 08.10.2024.
2. It is stated that CSIR issued advt. for recruitment of Section Officer/Assistant Section Officer through CASE-2023. Approximately 4.75 Lacs candidates applied for CASE-2023. The Stage-l examination was computer based test (CBT) and Stage-Il which consisted two papers i.e. Descriptive Paper and Computer Proficiency Test. The work of conduct of written examination was outsourced to Examination Conducting Agency (ECA).Page 4 of 6
CIC/CSIRD/A/2024/654937
3. The candidate requested to provide copy of his answer sheet under RTI Act. The information sought is sensitive in nature and the disclosure of such information may compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the examination system and disclosure could undermine sensitive process or violate the privacy of individuals involved.
4. The Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its judgement dated 20.02.2018 in CA No. 6159-6162/2013 (available at the link https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2012/32993/32993 2012 Judgement 20 - Feb-2018.pdf) and CIC in its decision dated 02.01.2025 in the matter of Hemant Singh Versus UPSC in the case no. CIC/UPSCM/A/2023/647930 (available at the link https://dsscic.nic.in/cause-list-report-web/download) denied disclosure of answer sheets to the candidates of a recruitment process.
5. Hence, information sought is denied under Section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act, 2005 and as per the decisions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and CIC as mentioned in para 5 above..."
Decision:
7. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, and perusal of records, observes that the Appellant has sought copy of his answer sheet of descriptive paper of CSIR (CASE 2023) for the post of SO/ASO. It observed that Hon'ble Supreme Court in CA. No. 6159-6162/2013, titled as UPSC vs Angesh Kumar, dated 20.02.2018 has dealt in detail with the issue of disclosure of evaluated conventional answer sheets. It is further noted that as regards disclosure of copies of evaluated answer scripts, 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.
Accordingly, it would not be judicious to give any direction for disclosure of answer script of the Appellant at this stage. The Second Appeal is disposed of accordingly. Page 5 of 6
CIC/CSIRD/A/2024/654937 Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.
(P R Ramesh) (पी. आर. रमेश) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) Authenticated true copy Vivek Agarwal (िववेक अ वाल) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26107048 Addresses of the parties:
1 The CPIO Under Secretary & CPIO, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (M/o.
Science & Technology), Anusandhan Bhawan, 2--Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001.
2 Vageesh Page 6 of 6 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
Nil Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)