CIC Rules RTI Act Overrides University Fee Demand for Answer Scripts

The Central Information Commission has ruled in favour of a student of Patharkandi College, affiliated with Assam University, who challenged a ₹1,000 fee demand for a copy of his evaluated answer script. Information Commissioner Sudha Rani Relangi set aside the university's decision, holding that photocopying charges under the Right to Information Act cannot exceed the prescribed fee of ₹2 per page.

The student had sought a certified photocopy of his FYUG 2nd Semester examination answer script in Philosophy after scoring 35 out of 70 marks. Both the CPIO and First Appellate Authority had upheld the ₹1,000 fee, citing the university's autonomous status and its own notification dated 18 June 2023.

The Commission relied on Section 22 of the RTI Act, 2005, establishing that statutory fee rules override conflicting university regulations. The ruling clarifies that Central Public Information Officers can only charge photocopying fees as prescribed under the Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2012.