Bhubaneswar, Odisha : In a landmark decision, the Odisha Information Commission (OIC) has directed the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) to provide interview marks to a candidate for the Assistant Teacher post who was not selected in 2022. The ruling reinforces candidates’ right to access information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, and emphasizes transparency in recruitment processes.
The candidate, Smt. Minati Rani Mahapatra from Bhadrak district, applied for the Assistant Teacher post in 2022. According to the official notification, selection was based on career marks and interview marks. When her name did not appear on the list of nominated candidates published by OPSC in June 2022, she filed an RTI application in December 2022 requesting a detailed breakdown of her career and interview marks.
While OPSC provided the career marks, it refused to disclose the interview marks, citing internal procedures and the absence of fixed minimum marks.
During the hearing, OPSC representatives argued that interview marks are not recorded systematically and that interviews evaluate personality, communication skills, and suitability rather than numerical scores. However, the State Chief Information Commissioner, Shri Manoj Parida, ruled that withholding interview marks violates the provisions of the RTI Act.
Shri Parida emphasized that every candidate has a right to know the marks obtained in the interview. This disclosure allows candidates to improve their performance in future attempts and ensures accountability in public service recruitment. The Commission noted that candidates cannot be kept in the dark regarding their evaluation.
This historic ruling strengthens transparency in recruitment for government posts. The Odisha Information Commission advised OPSC to revise its procedures to provide detailed interview mark statements to candidates upon request, in accordance with Section 22 of the RTI Act, 2005.
The decision is expected to benefit numerous candidates, particularly those who were unsuccessful, by providing them insights into their performance and enabling them to better prepare for future examinations.
The ruling sets a precedent for government recruitment processes across Odisha, ensuring that commissions and selection boards cannot withhold information that candidates are entitled to under the law. It reinforces the principles of accountability, fairness, and transparency in public service examinations.
Also Read : Odisha Government Warns OAS, ORS Officers on HQ Visits
