NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India will not fall under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act as it is not a “public authority” substantially financed or controlled by the government, the Central Information Commission ruled on Monday.
The order was passed by Information Commissioner PR Ramesh while reversing an October 2018 CIC order that had declared the BCCI a public authority under the RTI regime.
The issue had been remitted back to the CIC by the Madras High Court in September 2025 during the hearing of an appeal filed by the BCCI challenging the earlier order.
In his ruling, Ramesh stated that the BCCI is an autonomous private body governed by its own rules and regulations and that there is “no deep or pervasive” government control over its administration or functioning.
“Mere supervision or regulation by the State is insufficient to alter the private character of the organisation,” the order said.
The CIC observed that the government has no role in the appointment of BCCI office-bearers or in its internal affairs, and that tax exemptions or statutory concessions available under law do not amount to “substantial financing” under the RTI Act.
“The BCCI generates its revenue independently through commercial activities like media rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales. It is financially self-sustaining and does not rely on government funds,” the order noted.
The Commission also highlighted that the BCCI is registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, and not under any statute enacted by Parliament or a state legislature.
Referring to the commercial structure of Indian cricket, the CIC said the BCCI’s dominance stems largely from India being the world’s most lucrative cricket market, with the Indian Premier League playing a central role in its revenue model.
The order further observed that increased governmental oversight alone does not necessarily ensure fairness or efficiency, and that any regulatory framework must consider the economic and structural realities of institutions like the BCCI.
