CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay — RTI Wiki Citizen Guide 2026
CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay (Supreme Court of India, 2011-08-09) (2011) 8 SCC 497 is a ruling on the Right to Information Act, 2005 — Sections 2(f), 8(1)(e), 7(8), 6. Answer-sheets are 'information'; specific clause + reasons mandatory. Evaluated answer-sheets fall within the definition of information under §2(f).
Holding
Answer-sheets are 'information'; specific clause + reasons mandatory.
Ratio
Evaluated answer-sheets fall within the definition of information under §2(f). The CBSE holds them in fiduciary capacity for the candidate, but disclosure to the candidate himself does not breach the fiduciary trust. The PIO must always cite a specific exemption sub-clause and provide reasons under §7(8).
Section(s) applied
- Section 2(f)
- Section 8(1)(e)
- Section 7(8)
- Section 6
Practitioner takeaway
Specific clause + reasons under §7(8); fiduciary defence to applicant's own record rejected.
Citation
- Citation: (2011) 8 SCC 497
- Court: Supreme Court of India
- Date: 2011-08-09
- Outcome: allowed
- Reporter / Cause-list: (2011) 8 SCC 497