UPSC Must Now Disclose Paper-wise Marks; CIC Recommends Reinstating the Practice
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has recommended that the UPSC resume the practice of publicly disclosing the paper-wise marks of candidates selected in the Civil Services Main Examination. This issue came to light following an RTI application.
The CIC recommended that the UPSC reinstate the system of making paper-wise marks public for candidates selected in the Civil Services Main Examination. The matter arose from an RTI application seeking details of the marks obtained by selected candidates across various subjects and papers.
The CIC’s recommendation came after the concerned department failed to produce any official record justifying the decision to stop publishing paper-wise marks after 2018. The Commission noted that while this information was previously made public, only the candidates’ total marks had been released since 2018.
Paper-wise Marks Were Available Until 2017
Until the Civil Services Examination (CSE) of 2017, the UPSC used to release the marks of recommended candidates. These included marks obtained in various General Studies papers, optional subjects, and the personality test. The system changed in 2018, and only the candidates’ total marks began to be published. Citing this, an RTI applicant sought comparative data on the paper-wise performance of selected candidates up to 2023. The applicant argued that the unavailability of marks for individual papers and optional subjects made it difficult for candidates to understand examination trends.
Why Was the System Changed in 2018?
During the CIC proceedings, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) was asked why the earlier system of publishing paper-wise marks had been discontinued in 2018. However, the DoPT could not produce any file notings, office memoranda, policy decisions, or other official reports to prove that a formal decision had been taken to discontinue the practice. Subsequently, the CIC noted that a system for making paper-wise marks public was previously in place, and there is no policy decision on record justifying its discontinuation. On this basis, the Commission recommended restoring the old system under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act.
Divergent Information from UPSC and DoPT
During the hearing, conflicting positions emerged from the UPSC and the DoPT regarding the handling of marks. The UPSC informed the CIC that details of candidates’ marks are forwarded to the DoPT and LBSNAA after the final results are declared. Conversely, the DoPT maintained that the marks are compiled and securely held by the UPSC. The CIC took these differing stances into account while deliberating on the matter.
Directive to Disclose Marks for CSE 2018–2023
The CIC did not merely recommend restoring the system of disclosing paper-wise marks; it also directed the DoPT to provide the RTI applicant with the marks obtained by candidates selected in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) from 2018 to 2023. This includes marks secured in each General Studies paper, optional subject papers, and the personality test.
Why is this information important for candidates?
The CIC observed that the disclosure of marks would foster transparency and fairness in the civil services recruitment process. The Commission also noted that candidates are required to secure a minimum of 10 percent marks in each of the competitive written papers, including those in the Main Examination. Furthermore, the disclosure of paper-wise marks for optional subjects could help in understanding candidates’ performance across different disciplines.
