The Central Information Commission (CIC) has ruled that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not a 'public authority' and therefore does not fall under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The order, delivered on 18 May 2026, comes eight months after the union government abandoned its plans to bring sports bodies like BCCI under the RTI Act.
Background of the Case
A petitioner had sought information from the BCCI under the RTI Act, but the cricket board refused to comply, arguing that it is not a public authority. The matter was then escalated to the CIC, which examined the status of the BCCI in detail.
CIC's Ruling
The CIC, in its order, stated that the BCCI is a private body and does not perform any public function that would classify it as a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act. The commission noted that while the BCCI regulates the sport of cricket in India, it is not substantially financed by the government, nor does it perform any sovereign function.
Key Observations by the CIC
- The BCCI is not created by a statute or under any law.
- It is not controlled by the government in its day-to-day operations.
- Its funding primarily comes from private sources, such as sponsorships and broadcast rights, not from government grants.
Government's Stance
The union government had earlier proposed to bring sports bodies under the RTI Act to increase transparency. However, in September 2025, the government decided to drop these plans after facing opposition from various sports federations. The CIC's order aligns with the government's current position.
Implications of the Order
The ruling means that citizens cannot seek information from the BCCI under the RTI Act. However, the BCCI remains subject to other laws, such as the Companies Act, and can be audited by government agencies. The order has sparked debate among transparency activists, who argue that sports bodies dealing with public interest should be more accountable.
This decision sets a precedent for other sports bodies in India, which are likely to remain outside the RTI framework unless the government changes its policy.
