Table of Contents
Recruitment merit list & cut-off — RTI
Direct answer. File RTI to the recruiting authority (UPSC/SSC/State PSC/Railways/Banking). Ask category-wise merit list, cut-off mark, my score-card, evaluator pattern.
Legal framework
- Constitution Article 14/16 — equality in public employment.
- UPSC Regulations — recruitment process.
- UPSC v. Angesh Kumar (2018) — cut-off framework.
5 questions to ask
- Final merit list (category-wise).
- Cut-off marks for category.
- My scorecard.
- Answer-key / marking scheme.
- Interview-panel minutes (if applicable).
Template
To: The Public Information Officer, Recruiting Authority Subject: Application under §6 RTI Act 2005 — Merit list / cut-off / scoring My application No. [..] for [post] is under recruitment. Please furnish: (1) merit list, (2) cut-off, (3) my scorecard, (4) answer key/scheme, (5) interview minutes. Fee: Rs.10 by IPO/cash.
Common mistakes
- Filing mid-process — some data protected until process concludes.
- Asking for evaluator names — generally protected.
Case law anchors
- UPSC v. Angesh Kumar (2018) — cut-off disclosable after process.
- Bihar PSC v. Rizwi (2012) — balanced view of interview marks.
Pro tips
- File post-result for full-data access.
- Pair with CAT/Tribunal if arbitrariness suspected.
FAQ
- Q: Sub-category cut-offs? Yes — EWS/PH/PwD separately.
- Q: Normalisation scheme? RTI for normalisation formula + audit.
Related reading
Sources
- Constitution Articles 14, 16. UPSC Regulations. UPSC v. Angesh Kumar (2018).
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.