Archive · 10 Aug 2025
BCCI Likely to Evade RTI Under New Sports Governance Bill
The BCCI, which runs cricket in India, is trying to stay away from being forced to answer questions under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
A new law was proposed that would have made it open to public scrutiny, but it was changed.
Now, unless a sports body gets direct money from the government, it doesn't have to follow the RTI rules.
The BCCI argues it's a private group and shouldn't be included, even though others believe it should be because it does important public things and gets indirect financial help.
BCCI is likely to remain outside the scope of the RTI Act under the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025.
The Bill initially planned to include all recognized sports bodies under RTI but was later changed.
The revised Bill makes direct government financial aid the sole criterion for RTI applicability.
BCCI maintains it is a private, autonomous body, not a public authority, and does not receive direct government funding.
Various bodies, including the Law Commission, have recommended bringing BCCI under RTI due to its public functions and indirect funding.
- Who
- The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
- What
- BCCI's exclusion from the RTI Act and the debates around it.
- When
- The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To maintain its autonomy and avoid public scrutiny, with the government appearing to support this position.
Critics
Supporters
RTI Applicability
Critics
Argue that BCCI should be under RTI.
Supporters
BCCI argues that it should not be under RTI due to its private status.
Public Authority Status
Critics
Critics point out BCCI receives indirect funding and performs public functions.
Supporters
BCCI claims financial independence and is not a public authority.
- RTI Act
- Right to Information Act
- National Sports Governance Bill, 2025
- The Bill impacting BCCI's RTI status.
- BCCI's Status
- Likely to remain outside RTI scope.
- Government Funding Criterion
- Direct financial aid from the government.
- BCCI's Argument
- Private, autonomous body.
