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The RTI findings have triggered concerns over the financial burden on students
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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has come under scrutiny over the cost of re-evaluation and re-checking of board exam answer sheets, with a Right to Information (RTI) disclosure indicating that the board collected around ₹23 crore from Class 10 and 12 students in the 2024–25 academic session alone for these services.
According to the RTI response filed by educationist Keshav Agarwal, the CBSE earned approximately ₹3.09 crore from providing scanned copies of evaluated answer books and about ₹20.09 crore from verification and re-evaluation processes after the board examinations.
The issue has drawn attention from students and parents, particularly as the Education Ministry has revised the fee structure, bringing the cost of re-evaluation to ₹100 per question and ₹500 per answer book for verification.
For the Class 12 board examinations, whose results were declared on May 13 with an overall pass percentage of 85.20%, CBSE has also released the schedule for post-result processes for students seeking rechecking.
As per the notified timeline, students will be able to apply for scanned copies of answer sheets from May 19, 2026. The application window for verification of marks and re-evaluation will remain open from May 26 to May 29, 2026.
However, only students who first obtain photocopies of their answer books will be eligible to apply for further verification or re-evaluation.
The RTI findings have triggered concerns over the financial burden on students. Agarwal termed the figures “shocking” and questioned whether students and parents should be required to bear the cost of potential evaluation errors.
He also pointed out that in several cases, students’ marks reportedly increase after re-evaluation, raising questions about the accuracy of initial marking.
Agarwal argued that if such discrepancies exist, the board should consider refunding the fees charged from students.
Under the current system, students are charged ₹500 per answer book for a scanned copy and ₹100 per question for re-evaluation, a structure that has now come under public debate following the RTI disclosure.
The CBSE has not yet issued an official response to the concerns raised regarding the fee structure or the RTI findings.
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