OPSC Directed to Disclose Interview Marks to Unsuccessful Candidates

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Information Commission has directed the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) to provide interview marks to unsuccessful candidates in recruitment examinations, ruling that withholding such details violates the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The order was passed by State Chief Information Commissioner Manoj Parida while hearing a petition filed by Minati Rani Mohapatra of Bhadrak district. Mohapatra, who had applied for the post of assistant teacher in 2002, failed to qualify and later sought details of her marks. While the OPSC provided her career assessment marks, it refused to disclose the interview marks.

During the hearing, the OPSC argued that no minimum qualifying marks had been prescribed for the interview stage and that interview marks were not recorded. “Interview is a test of personality and communication skills. Candidates are only informed whether they were found suitable or unsuitable. Specific marks are neither disclosed nor is any merit list published,” the OPSC submitted.

Rejecting this stance, the Information Commission observed that the OPSC’s decision was contrary to the RTI Act. “The candidate has a right to know the marks scored in the interview so that she can improve her performance in the next attempt. Every candidate, particularly those who have failed, has the right to know why they could not succeed. The OPSC cannot keep the candidates in the dark,” the Commission stated.

It further clarified that Section 22 of the RTI Act, 2005 overrides all other Acts and rules in matters of providing information. The Commission advised the OPSC to amend its procedures and ensure that interview marks are made available to all candidates in future recruitment examinations.