Archive · 28 Jan 2026
High Court Warns Finance Ministry on Credit Data PIL
The Telangana High Court has given the Union Finance Ministry a final chance to respond to a legal case that started in 2021.
This case is about stopping companies that keep track of people's credit scores from collecting and sharing personal information.
The court has set a deadline of March 17, 2026, for the ministry to respond.
If they don't, the court might fine them.
The case is against rules made by the Reserve Bank of India in 2021.
The court has warned the ministry to follow the deadline strictly.
Telangana High Court sets March 17, 2026, as the final deadline for the Union Finance Ministry to file a counter affidavit in a PIL challenging credit information companies' data practices.
The PIL seeks to restrain credit bureaus from collecting, processing, and disseminating personal data through credit score reports.
The petitioner challenges the Credit Information Companies (Amendment) Regulations, 2021, notified by the Reserve Bank of India on November 29, 2021.
Notices were issued to the RBI, Union Finance Ministry, and credit bureaus on December 3, 2021, and May 9, 2023, but no counter affidavits have been filed yet.
The court warned the ministry of potential costs for non-compliance and directed strict adherence to the timeline.
- Who
- Telangana High Court, Union Finance Ministry, Credit Information Companies (TransUnion CIBIL, Equifax, Experian, CRIF High Mark)
- What
- Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging Credit Information Companies (Amendment) Regulations, 2021
- When
- PIL filed in 2021, deadline for counter affidavit is March 17, 2026
- Where
- Hyderabad, Telangana
- Why
- To restrain credit information companies from collecting, processing, and disseminating citizens’ personal data through credit score reports
- Court
- Telangana High Court
- Deadline for Counter Affidavit
- March 17, 2026
- PIL Filed
- 2021
- Credit Information Companies Involved
- TransUnion CIBIL, Equifax, Experian, CRIF High Mark
- Regulations Challenged
- Credit Information Companies (Amendment) Regulations, 2021
- Notices Issued
- December 3, 2021, and May 9, 2023
- Court Bench
- Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin