Details Of Marks In Civil Service Examination Can’t Be Disclosed Mechanically Under RTI [Read Order]

If a case is made out where the court finds that public interest requires furnishing of information, the court is certainly entitled to so require in a given fact situation. The Supreme Court, in, while setting aside a high court judgment has observed that information sought with regard to details of marks in Civil Services Exam cannot be directed to be furnished mechanically. Third recital of the Preamble of the Act reads: “And whereas revelation of information in actual practice is likely to conflict with other public interests including efficient operations of the Governments, optimum use of limited fiscal resources and the preservation of confidentiality of sensitive information.” With regard to this contention, the bench of Justice AK Goel and Justice UU Lalit observed: “While balancing the right to information, public interest including efficient working of the Government, optimum use of fiscal resources and preservation of confidentiality of sensitive information has to be balanced and can be a guiding factor to deal with a given situation de hors Sections 8, 9 and 11. The High Court has not applied the said parameters.” The bench also observed that weighing the need for transparency and accountability on the one hand and requirement of optimum use of fiscal resources and confidentiality of sensitive information on the other, the information sought with regard to marks in Civil Services Exam cannot be directed to be furnished mechanically.