Archive · 11 Jan 2026
Banks Challenge RBI on NPA Disclosures to RTI
Some big banks in India, like Bank of Baroda, RBL Bank, Yes Bank, and State Bank of India, are fighting against the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The RBI wants to share some important information about the banks, like who hasn't paid back loans and reports about how the banks are doing.
The banks don't want this information shared because they think it will hurt their business.
The RBI says it's important for the public to know this information.
Some people asked for this information using a law called the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The banks are now taking this fight to a higher authority called the Central Information Commission (CIC).
The CIC has decided to look at the cases more carefully and has stopped the information from being shared until they make a final decision.
Four major banks approached the CIC objecting to the disclosure of sensitive regulatory information under RTI.
RBI maintains that the information is liable to be disclosed in the public interest.
Banks argue that disclosure would harm their commercial interests and expose confidential information.
CIC has referred the cases to a larger bench and stayed disclosure until final adjudication.
RBI relies on a 2015 Supreme Court ruling that mandates disclosure of such information.
- Who
- Bank of Baroda, RBL Bank, Yes Bank, State Bank of India, RBI, CIC, RTI applicants
- What
- Banks challenging RBI's decision to disclose sensitive regulatory information under RTI
- When
- Ongoing, with cases referred to a larger bench of the CIC
- Where
- India, involving the Central Information Commission (CIC) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Why
- Banks argue disclosure would harm commercial interests and expose confidential information, while RBI maintains public interest requires disclosure
- Banks Involved
- Bank of Baroda, RBL Bank, Yes Bank, State Bank of India
- Information Sought
- Lists of defaulters, NPAs, inspection reports, penalty-related documents
- RTI Applicants
- Dheeraj Mishra, Vathiraj, Girish Mittal, Radha Raman Tiwari
- RBI's Position
- Information is liable to be disclosed under RTI Act
- Banks' Argument
- Disclosure would harm commercial interests and expose confidential information
- CIC's Action
- Referred cases to a larger bench, stayed disclosure until final adjudication
- Supreme Court Precedent
- 2015 Jayantilal N Mistry vs RBI ruling mandates disclosure in public interest
- Bank of Baroda's Penalty
- Rs 4.34 crore penalty imposed following statutory inspections