Overview
- On June 14, 2026, Information Commissioner Sudha Rani Relangi set aside the CPIO’s reply dated March 18, 2025 and directed the CBSE to provide revised point‑wise categorical responses under the RTI Act.
- The original RTI sought paper specifications, quantities, purchase costs, total expenditure, GST payments and tender details for Class 10 and 12 answer books used in the 2023–24 and 2024–25 exams.
- CBSE had already disclosed technical specs such as paper GSM, page counts and sizes but refused procurement costs, numbers purchased and tender information citing Sections 8(1)(d), 8(1)(e) and 8(1)(g).
- The CIC ordered disclosure of all permissible information, allowed redaction under Section 10, and required the CPIO to record reasons under Section 19(5) when claiming commercial‑confidentiality exemptions under Section 8(1)(d).
- The board has not reported compliance and must now either release the requested procurement figures and tender records or formally justify specific redactions, a step that could prompt closer scrutiny of exam contracting and vendor practices.