Government and aided schools, state and central boards, government colleges, deemed universities receiving government grants, and central or state universities are all public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act 2005. An RTI under Section 6 reaches the answer sheet, mark statement, scholarship sanction, fee refund and transfer certificate file faster than any departmental representation. The Supreme Court ruling in CBSE v Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011) is the landmark that confirms answer sheets are accessible.
Use this guide if (a) your or your child's marks look wrong; (b) the school is withholding the transfer certificate; © scholarship was sanctioned but not credited; (d) fee refund is pending after withdrawal; (e) you want to inspect your answer sheet; (f) the recognised college lost your migration certificate; (g) the recruitment cut-off list is opaque.
The Supreme Court in CBSE v Aditya Bandopadhyay, (2011) 8 SCC 497 held that an examinee has a right to inspect his evaluated answer sheet under the RTI Act, subject only to redaction of evaluator identity if applicable. Subsequent CIC decisions extended this to UPSC, SSC and university examinations.
To, The Public Information Officer, [Name of school / board / university] [Full address] Subject: RTI under Section 6 regarding [Marks / Answer sheet / Transfer Certificate / Scholarship / Fee Refund] of [Student name], Roll No. [number], for the academic year [year] Sir / Madam, I, [Full name], a citizen of India, [self / parent of] the student, request the following information under the RTI Act 2005. Fee of Rs. 10 paid by IPO no. [number]. For the student [Name], roll number [number], registration number [number], class / course [name], institution [name]: For marks and answer sheet: 1. Certified photocopy of the evaluated answer sheet for [subject] of [exam date]. 2. Step-wise marking scheme adopted, and the moderation policy applied. 3. Tabulation register entry for the student. 4. Date of declaration of result and the panel that declared it. For scholarship: 5. Scholarship application receipt number, date and present status. 6. Sanction order, sanction amount, instalment schedule. 7. Bank credit advice from PFMS / DBT and the date of credit. 8. Reason for delay or rejection. For transfer / migration certificate: 9. Date of application, present custodian and present location of file. 10. Pending dues, if any, with the basis for each demand. 11. Reason for the delay beyond the rule-prescribed period. For fee refund: 12. Refund application receipt, sanction order, voucher number, mode of payment and bank advice. I invoke Section 10 (severability) and Section 6(3) (transfer to right office). I undertake to pay further fee under Section 7(3). Yours faithfully, [Signature, name, date]
Yes, by the CBSE v Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011) ruling. Boards, universities and recruitment bodies must provide the evaluated copy.
Most state rules require it within 7 to 14 days of application. Cite the rule and ask for the file movement.
The RTE Act 2009 bars denial of TC and admission for non-payment of fees in respect of children aged 6 to 14. For higher classes, the school may demand fee receipts but cannot withhold the TC unreasonably.
Private unaided schools are not directly covered, but the District Education Officer and the recognising authority are, RTI to the DEO often produces inspection reports of private schools.
Ask for the PFMS / DBT credit advice. Often the file is stuck at the bank-account-validation stage.
Generally no, Section 8(1)(g) protects evaluator identity. But the marking scheme, moderation rule and tabulation entry are fully disclosable.
Through UGC and the state Fee Regulatory Committee, both of which are public authorities. RTI to them, not to the deemed university directly.
Last reviewed: 9 May 2026.