RTI Guide for CA Students
Certified Copies Through RTI — Step-by-Step Process
A complete walkthrough of filing an RTI application for certified copies of your ICAI answer books — including the official application format, fee details, and timelines.
⚡ Why this matters
Reviewing your evaluated answer book under RTI helps you understand exactly where marks were lost — far more useful than a simple re-verification. The whole process takes about 30 days and costs just ₹10.
Reviewing your evaluated answer book under RTI helps you understand exactly where marks were lost — far more useful than a simple re-verification. The whole process takes about 30 days and costs just ₹10.
📋 Step-by-Step: Filing Your RTI Application ▾
Step 1–3 · Getting Started
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Log in to the RTI portal with your username and password at rtionline.gov.in |
| 2 | Click Submit Request, scroll down, check “I have read and understood the above guidelines,” then submit. The Online RTI Request Form will open. |
| 3 | In the Public Authority field, type “Chartered” and select Institute of Chartered Accountants of India from the dropdown, then click OK. |
Step 4–5 · Your Details & BPL Status
| 4 | Your name, address, qualifications, and contact details auto-fill — edit if needed. |
| 5 |
Answer “Is the Applicant Below Poverty Line?” Yes — if you hold a valid BPL proof (Food Security Card, ration card, etc). No application fee applies. Enter your BPL card number, year of issue, and issuing authority. No — if you don’t fall under BPL. You’ll need to pay ₹10 online. |
Step 6–8 · Request, Upload & Submit
| 6 | In “Text for RTI Request Application,” write your request for certified copies. You can download the draft application format here, or use the format further down this page. |
| 7 | Upload a merged PDF of your BPL Card (if applicable) and Hall Ticket as supporting documents, then: click Submit (BPL category) or Make Payment to pay the ₹10 fee via net banking / card, then submit. |
| 8 | On submission, you’ll receive a unique registration number plus an email and SMS confirmation. Save this number for future reference. |
💳 ICAI’s Reply & Additional Fee Payment ▾
⚠️ Checking your status
Check your application status after 30 days from the date of filing — click the “Disposed Of” link on the RTI portal homepage, then View Status and enter your Registration Number, email ID, and security code. You’ll be told the fee payable via Demand Draft (DD) or Indian Postal Order.
Check your application status after 30 days from the date of filing — click the “Disposed Of” link on the RTI portal homepage, then View Status and enter your Registration Number, email ID, and security code. You’ll be told the fee payable via Demand Draft (DD) or Indian Postal Order.
Draw the DD or Postal Order in favour of “The Secretary, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India,” payable at New Delhi, and send it by speed post to the CPIO at the address below — mention your name and RTI application number on the back of the DD/PO.
Mailing Address
Shri Dinesh Kumar Mishra
ICAI Bhawan, P. B. No. 7100,
Indraprastha, New Delhi – 110 002
Within one week of receiving your DD/Postal Order at this address, your certified copies will be dispatched to the address mentioned in your RTI application — via India Post.
✅ Easier option: Electronic Demand Draft
Mention your RTI application number and use the same delivery address above. Since the ICAI head office is in Delhi, the bank typically couriers the DD within 3 days, and you’ll get courier tracking updates along the way. Once ICAI receives the DD, your certified copies follow in 3–6 working days by speed post.
Mention your RTI application number and use the same delivery address above. Since the ICAI head office is in Delhi, the bank typically couriers the DD within 3 days, and you’ll get courier tracking updates along the way. Once ICAI receives the DD, your certified copies follow in 3–6 working days by speed post.
📝 Application Format — Certified Copies / Inspection ▾
🎯 Tip
Use this exact format in the “Text for RTI Request Application” field on the portal. Fill in your own details where indicated.
Use this exact format in the “Text for RTI Request Application” field on the portal. Fill in your own details where indicated.
The Additional Secretary (Exams) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ICAI Bhawan Indraprastha Marg New Delhi 110 002 Subject: Photocopy of Answer Book of the Board Examinations under the RTI Act, 2005 Dear Sir, I have appeared for CA Foundation / IPCC / Intermediate / Final Examination conducted by the board with the following particulars: – 1. Name of the candidate: 2. Date of Birth: 3. Father's Name: 4. Contact no: 5. E-mail address: 6. Address for correspondence: 7. Student Registration No: 8. Examination: CPT / Intermediate (IPC) / Final / ISAAT / IRM / ITL & WTO / MAC / CMC / TMC Month: Year: Roll No: Paper No. – Subject 01 – 02 – 03 – 04 – 05 – 06 – 07 – 08 – The self-attested photocopy of my admit card / hall ticket is enclosed for verification of my identity. I also undertake that I am the same candidate who appeared in the aforesaid examination. I hereby declare and affirm that the details mentioned above relate to me only and are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. The information may kindly be provided at the given address. Please let me know the applicable additional fees, if any, as per Rule 4 of the Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005, to be paid for the above-sought information. Yours faithfully, (Name) (Student Registration Number)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions ▾
Will ICAI provide certified copies under RTI?
Yes. To comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling in ICSI vs. Paras Jain, ICAI appointed dedicated CPIOs for providing certified copies under RTI, effective 29th August 2019.
How many days does it take to get certified copies under RTI?
As per the RTI Act, information must be supplied within 30 days from the date the application is received by the public authority.
Can I seek certified copies of another student under RTI?
No. Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act exempts disclosure of an individual’s personal information that has no relationship to any public interest or activity.
Do I need to upload a handwritten application like the ICAI process?
No. The application doesn’t need to be handwritten. The ICAI process and the RTI process are two entirely separate platforms.
What documents should I upload as supporting documents?
To prove identity, upload your admit card, hall ticket, or any equivalent ID like a student card or exam form. If claiming the BPL exemption, also upload your Food Security Card or Ration Card.
Do I need to send a physical printout of the RTI application?
No. There’s no requirement to send the form physically. Once filed online, it appears directly on the CPIO’s dashboard, who then processes your certified copies.
Can I get certified copies from a previous attempt?
Under the RTI Act, information can only be sought as far as it’s still available with the public authority. Per ICAI Regulation 39(4), answer books are retained for 120 days (four months) from the date of result declaration.
Does ICAI verify marks automatically, and can I report discrepancies?
The RTI Act has no provision mandating automatic (suo-moto) verification. However, ICAI is understood to carry out checks like retotaling errors for RTI applications — and if discrepancies turn up, students can raise them with the Institute.
Can I choose softcopy or hardcopy for my certified copy?
No, that choice isn’t available — the format depends entirely on the institute. ICMAI and ICSI provide hard copies at ₹2 per page, while ICAI provides soft copies free of cost.
Can I get the MCQ paper and answer key under RTI?
ICAI states that only the OMR answer sheet copy is provided under this scheme — not the MCQ booklet or answer key — and the OMR copy won’t show marks awarded, since those are computed in the system. That said, the RTI Act overrides conflicting rules, so ICAI is still required to disclose this information where applicable under the Act.
Where can I check my application status?
Check your status directly on the RTI portal: rtionline.gov.in/request/status.php
ICAI’s portal shows ₹500 per paper — why are you saying free of cost?
The ICAI procedure and the RTI process are two different platforms — and they’re not mutually exclusive; you can choose either. ICAI can still charge ₹500 under its own guidelines for applications made on the ICAI portal, while certified copies under RTI are free (ICAI) or available at a nominal ₹2/page (ICMAI).
Will I get a refund of the fee paid through the ICAI portal?
No. Since the ICAI procedure and RTI process are independent and not mutually exclusive, you won’t receive a refund for fees already paid on the ICAI portal. ICAI also won’t take any action against you for filing under RTI — it’s a legally recognised route per the Supreme Court ruling.
What’s the exact process and cost — summarized?
File your application on the RTI portal and pay ₹10 (waived if BPL). Wait 30 days — no need to contact the CPIO or send anything physically. ICAI will respond on the portal itself: for ICAI, you’ll get a link to download your answer sheet PDF for free; for ICSI/ICMAI, you’ll be notified by SMS/email, after which you pay and receive a hard copy by speed post within 7–15 days.
Who do I contact if I haven’t received certified copies within 30 days?
Contact the CPIO of the relevant institute directly — email response times can be slow, so calling during office hours often works better.
| Body | CPIO | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| ICAI (CA Final) | Shri Alok Malhotra | 0120 3894808 |
| ICAI (CPT/Foundation/IPCC/Inter) | Shri Chatar Singh | 0120 3054840 |
| ICMAI | Shri Prajato Mukherjee | 033 40364710 |
| ICSI | Shri Surya Narayan Mishra | 011 45341015 |
Reviewing your own answer book is one of the most underrated steps in CA exam prep — most rank holders study their evaluated copies closely before their next attempt. If you’re preparing for an upcoming exam and want structured mock tests evaluated the same way ICAI evaluates, our test series might be worth a look.