New Delhi, March 6 Can a coaching institute publish a candidate's mock interview online without their consent? This question was raised through a Right to Information (RTI) application to the Department of Consumer Affairs, highlighting the use of aspirants' interviews and personal details by coaching centers.
The query, filed under the Right to Information Act, 2005, sought to know whether coaching institutes can upload a candidate's mock interview conducted during preparations for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, even if the aspirant later objects to its publication.
However, in response, the Department of Consumer Affairs said that the queries were in the nature of seeking advice or clarification, and therefore, did not fall under the definition of "information" as per Section 2(f) of the RTI Act.
The Central Information Commission later upheld the Department's response, dismissing the appeal after observing that the public authority had provided an appropriate response.
The applicant, Shashank Gaur, specifically asked: "Does the coaching institute have the right to publish this mock interview? Can a candidate deny the publication of their mock interview? Or can coaching institutes publish their mock interview without their consent?"
The RTI application stated that such a situation could arise when a candidate gives a mock interview early in the preparation process and performs poorly, but improves later. If the earlier interview is published after the results are declared, it could portray the candidate negatively and invite adverse comments on social media platforms.
Another question in the application related to the use of students' names by coaching institutes for promotional purposes.
The applicant asked: "If the student has not used the course purchased and, after the results are declared, the candidate wants their name not to be used for that particular course, does the coaching institute have the right to publish the student's name? Is the student's consent necessary?"
This issue gained prominence as the results of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 were declared on Friday, a time when coaching institutes often publicize candidates' interviews and names for promotional purposes.