Many students apply for certified copies of their answer sheets either under the RTI Act, 2005 or under the Institute’s procedure.
Some want to:
- Understand their mistakes
- Improve presentation
- Guide juniors
- Preserve copies as a learning reference
However, a constant fear persists among students:
“What if ICAI reduces my marks during suo motu verification?”
This fear is especially high for students who:
- Scored exactly 40 (pass)
- Scored 60 (exemption)
- Cleared groups with exactly 200 or 400 marks
The panic question is always the same:
Will ICAI fail me if I apply only to view my answer sheet?
Friends, Relax — The Answer Is a BIG NO ❌#
Let me be very clear.
👉 ICAI does NOT decrease marks on verification or suo motu verification.
Legal & Factual Position#
1️⃣ RTI Applications Never Ask for Verification#
- Nowhere in an RTI application do we request verification of marks
- We only seek certified copies of evaluated answer sheets
2️⃣ No Prior Intimation to Students#
- ICAI never issues any announcement stating that marks will be decreased during RTI-based supply of copies
3️⃣ Official Confirmation: No Decrease in Marks#
ICAI has categorically replied under RTI that:
“There is no concept of decreasing the marks after verification process.”
This applies to:
- Applications under RTI Act
- Applications under ICAI’s own procedure
RTI Reply Clearly Saying Marks Are NOT Decreased#
Why Does ICAI Still Do Suo Motu Verification?#
Yes — ICAI does carry out suo motu verification, but ONLY in the interest of students.
This was officially decided by the Examination Committee.
Examination Committee Decision (576th Meeting)#
The 576th Examination Committee Meeting held on 17 July 2019 at ICAI Bhavan, New Delhi, decided:
- Suo motu verification will be done before giving copies
- Digital scanning to speed up supply
- Copies to be hosted online
- If any discrepancy under Regulation 39(4) is found, it will be rectified
- No fee for rectification
- No decrease of marks
Extract of Examination Committee Minutes (Received under RTI)#
Opportunity Given to Students (Regulation 39(4))#
If a student notices:
- Totalling mistakes
- Unevaluated answers
- Mark transfer errors
They can report it within 30 days of receipt / hosting of copies.
This is student-friendly, not punitive.
RTI Data: Actual Statistics Don’t Lie#
I sought information under RTI regarding:
✔️ Marks Increased on Suo Motu Verification#
❌ Marks Decreased on Suo Motu Verification#
Statistical Data (May 2019 & Nov 2019 Exams)#
📌 Important Observation
For Foundation, Intermediate, IPCC, and Final exams (Digital Evaluation):
There is NOT A SINGLE CASE where marks were decreased.
Final Confirmation from ICAI (Under RTI)#
When asked specifically about downward change of marks, ICAI replied:
“There is no concept of decreasing the marks after verification process.”
This reply applies to:
- RTI applications
- ICAI procedure applications
Conclusion#
The fear that:
- ICAI will reduce marks
- Students will be failed
- Students will be blacklisted
- RTI applicants will be punished
👉 All these are myths.
ICAI acts positively and in good faith towards students.
We are the future members of the profession, not adversaries.
Yes, there is a communication gap, but I have full faith in the leadership of ICAI, especially under CA Atul Gupta Sir, known for progressive reforms.
Final Message to Students#
📌 Apply for certified copies without fear
📌 RTI is your legal right
📌 Marks will NOT be reduced#
Reference#
RTI Application dated 04 February 2020
Application No: ICAOI/R/E/20/18851
Reply dated 05 March 2020
