Archive · 24 Sep 2026
CIC Recommends Restoring Paper-Wise Marks Disclosure For UPSC
The Central Information Commission examined why detailed UPSC exam marks stopped being published after 2017.
Before 2018, people could see marks for each written paper and the interview.
From 2018 onward, only total marks were made available.
An RTI applicant requested detailed marks for selected candidates from 2018 to 2023.
The UPSC said it gives these marks to the Department of Personnel and Training and the civil-services academy.
The department said the UPSC alone creates and keeps the marks.
The commission found no official record explaining why publication stopped.
It asked the department to provide the requested marks.
It also advised restoring publication so the selection process would be clearer and aspirants could compare optional subjects.
The Central Information Commission recommended restoring publication of paper-wise marks for selected Civil Services candidates.
The recommendation followed conflicting accounts from the UPSC and DoPT about who maintains detailed marks.
The DoPT could not produce a formal order, policy decision or file record explaining the halt from 2018.
The CIC directed the DoPT to provide detailed marks for recommended candidates from CSE 2018 through 2023.
The commission said disclosure would improve transparency and help aspirants assess optional-subject performance.
- Who
- The Central Information Commission, Union Public Service Commission, Department of Personnel and Training, and an RTI applicant.
- What
- The CIC recommended restoring paper-wise marks disclosure and directed the DoPT to provide detailed marks for selected candidates.
- When
- The practice was reportedly discontinued from 2018; the direction covers Civil Services Examination results from 2018 through 2023, following a September 24 decision.
- Where
- The matter was considered in proceedings before the Central Information Commission.
- Why
- The CIC cited transparency, fairness, and the need to help aspirants make informed optional-subject choices.
UPSC’s Position
DoPT’s Position
Custody of detailed marks
UPSC’s Position
The Union Public Service Commission said that after the final result it gives the detailed marks to the Department of Personnel and Training and the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.
DoPT’s Position
The Department of Personnel and Training said the detailed marks are generated and maintained solely by the Union Public Service Commission.
Explanation for the publication halt
UPSC’s Position
The UPSC’s position did not identify a formal decision ending publication from 2018.
DoPT’s Position
The DoPT could not produce a file noting, office memorandum, policy decision, or other record substantiating the discontinuation.
- Authority
- Central Information Commission
- Examination
- Civil Services (Main) Examination
- Affected period
- CSE 2018 through 2023
- Earlier practice
- Paper-wise marks of recommended candidates were published through CSE 2017
- Requested marks
- General Studies papers, optional-subject papers, and the Personality Test
- Disclosure rationale
- The CIC cited transparency, fairness, and informed choices for aspirants
- Written-paper requirement
- Candidates must secure at least 10% in each of the seven competitive written papers
