# CIC recommends reinstating paper-wise marks for UPSC Mains

2026-09-24T14:47:02+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has recommended reinstating the practice of publishing detailed paper-wise marks of selected candidates in the Civil Services (Main) Examination. The recommendation came after the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) failed to produce any record of a formal decision behind discontinuing the practice from 2018. The CIC noted a contradiction: the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) told the commission it gives detailed marks to the DoPT and LBSNAA after results, but the DoPT maintained that UPSC alone generates and holds those marks. The commission observed that disclosure of optional-subject marks would help aspirants make informed choices and ensure transparency. The matter arose from an RTI application seeking marks data for 10 years up to 2023. The CIC directed the DoPT to provide the applicant the detailed marks for CSE 2018 to 2023 and issued an advisory under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act to reinstate the practice, calling its discontinuation without policy record a concern.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Both siasat.com and The Indian Express report the CIC's recommendation neutrally, focusing on the lack of a recorded policy decision behind the 2018 change. Neither outlet adopts a pro-government or critical stance, the coverage is straight reporting. The core tension is between the UPSC and DoPT over who holds the marks data, a bureaucratic dispute the CIC highlighted. The practical implication for aspirants is access to granular performance data, which could affect optional subject choices. The next step is the DoPT's response to the CIC's advisory and whether the practice is formally restored.

## Coverage

- siasat.com (neutral report) <https://www.siasat.com/cic-recommends-paper-wise-upsc-marks-publication-3547678/>
  Straight reporting of CIC order and DoPT failure
- indianexpress.com (neutral report) <https://indianexpress.com/article/education/cic-advises-upsc-to-display-paper-wise-marks-for-mains-exam-as-no-official-order-found-for-2018-halt-10892394/>
  Straight reporting, headline mirrors CIC advice

Tags: Central Information Commission, Civil Services Examination, DoPT, UPSC
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