With the Right to Information act coming into force, MPPSC started putting in place systems to make the selection process more transparent and to make it possible to share more information with candidates. The PSCs of Chhattisgarh, Bihar and UP also reveal the scaling system used. Chhattisgarh, MP and Uttar Pradesh reveal pre- and post-scaled marks.

In Tamil Nadu, the PSC officials are working closely with the state information commissioner's office on what information should be shared with candidates, says R Lalvena, Controller of Examinations of TNPSC.

The state is known to be more hesitant than others to share information. But when states like UP, MP and Chhattisgarh can be so forthcoming with information, why not UPSC?

Most states are actively making efforts to comply with the RTI Act unlike UPSC that is fighting it despite the Delhi High Court and the Central Information Commission (CIC) ruling for greater transparency.

And this, when it ought to be acting as role model for the states, says Sandeep Singh, one of the civil services exam candidates, who has been seeking information from the UPSC. The commission has already filed an appeal before a division Bench against the single Bench order of the Delhi HC asking it to reveal cut-off marks, the scaling system and model answer sheets.