Can coaching institutes publish UPSC mock interviews without consent?

An RTI query has sparked debate over the privacy rights of UPSC aspirants and the promotional practices of coaching institutes. The application questioned whether institutes can upload candidates' mock interviews or use their names publicly without explicit consent.

As the results of the Civil Services Examination often bring renewed attention to coaching institutes and their promotional strategies, a recent Right to Information (RTI) query has sparked discussion about whether institutes can publicly share aspirants’ mock interviews without their permission.

The query was addressed to the Department of Consumer Affairs and sought clarity on whether coaching centres preparing candidates for the UPSC Civil Services Examination are allowed to upload a candidate’s mock interview online if the aspirant later objects to its publication.

However, the department stated that the questions raised in the RTI application were essentially requests for advice or clarification. Under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, 2005, only existing records or information held by a public authority can be provided, not opinions or interpretations.

The response of the department was later upheld by the Central Information Commission, which dismissed the appeal and noted that the public authority had already given an appropriate reply.

The RTI application was filed by Shashank Gaur, who asked whether coaching institutes have the right to publish mock interviews conducted during the preparation phase for the Civil Services Examination.

Among the key questions raised were whether a candidate can refuse the publication of their mock interview and whether coaching institutes can upload such interviews without obtaining explicit consent from the aspirant.