A common fear among CA students while filing an RTI application for certified copies or verification of answer scripts is whether marks can be reduced suo-motu during the verification process.
This concern has now been clearly settled.
✔️ Is Suo-Motu Verification Done under RTI?#
Yes.
While processing RTI applications for certified copies of answer books, ICAI does carry out suo-motu verification of marks. This verification mainly checks for:
- Totalling errors
- Unmarked answers
- Carry-forward mistakes
However, this verification does not operate to the detriment of the student.
📌 ICAI’s Official Policy: Marks Are Never Reduced#
As per Page 49, Para 7.1 of the Draft Report dated 14 February 2020 of the ICAI High-Level Independent Committee, it has been categorically clarified that:
“As a matter of policy, ICAI does not reduce marks already awarded, in the process of verification.”
This policy assurance is crucial and binding in nature.
🧾 RTI Replies Confirm the Practice#
Actual RTI replies issued by ICAI clearly show that:
- Where discrepancies were found, marks were increased
- No case of reduction of marks was reported
- Revised mark sheets were issued only when marks increased
This conclusively establishes that suo-motu verification is student-safe.
🎯 What This Means for Students#
Students can confidently apply for certified copies / verification under RTI even if:
- They have scored exactly 40 or 60 in a paper, or
- They have passed a group with exactly 200/400 marks
➡️ There is absolutely no risk of marks being reduced due to RTI-based suo-motu verification.
✅ Conclusion#
RTI is a transparent, accountable, and student-friendly mechanism that helps ensure fairness in evaluation.
The fear of mark reduction during RTI verification is unfounded and contrary to ICAI’s stated policy.
Students should therefore not hesitate to seek certified copies or verification of their answer scripts under the RTI Act.
Transparency strengthens trust. RTI strengthens transparency.
