Sports Governance Bill Passes, Keeps BCCI Outside RTI Scope
The Sports Governance Bill 2025 has been passed in Parliament, creating widespread discussion across the nation. After receiving clearance in the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha too gave its approval, making this bill a significant milestone in India’s sports administration. However, the decision to keep the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) outside the scope of the Right to Information (RTI) Act has raised several questions about transparency and accountability in Indian cricket.
What is the Sports Governance Bill?
The Sports Governance Bill 2025 aims to regulate national sports bodies in line with Olympic and Paralympic Charters, while also promoting accountability and transparency. It is designed to bring uniformity in sports administration and align Indian practices with international standards.
Initially, the Bill defined recognised sports organisations as public authorities under the RTI Act. This meant their activities, from player selection to broadcasting rights, would be open to public scrutiny. But after an amendment, only those organisations that receive direct government funding will fall under RTI. Since BCCI does not receive such financial assistance, it remains exempt.
Why is BCCI Exempted from RTI?
The BCCI has long maintained that it is a private, autonomous body registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975. The board insists it does not qualify as a public authority because it neither takes direct government funding nor functions as a federation under the Sports Ministry.
Although critics point out that BCCI enjoys indirect financial benefits such as tax exemptions and subsidised land, the amendment in the Bill has kept it outside RTI’s purview.
Judicial and Expert Opinions on BCCI
Several authorities have recommended over the years that the BCCI be brought under the RTI Act.
- The Law Commission of India, in its 275th Report (2018), strongly advocated classifying BCCI as a public authority.
- The Supreme Court, in 2015, observed that BCCI performs “public functions” since it selects national teams and uses national symbols.
- The Justice Lodha Committee criticised the BCCI’s “closed-door functioning” and urged transparency measures.
- The Central Information Commission (CIC), in 2018, even declared BCCI a public authority and directed it to implement an RTI mechanism. However, BCCI challenged this order, and the Madras High Court put the decision on hold.
Why Transparency in BCCI Matters
If BCCI were brought under the RTI Act, the public would gain access to crucial information such as:
- Team selection processes
- Broadcasting and sponsorship contracts
- Infrastructure and tender details
- Meeting minutes and administrative decisions
- Appointment of officials
Such transparency would ensure accountability, compelling BCCI to justify decisions not just internally but to the entire cricket-loving nation.
What are the implications of the Sports Governance Bill?
The passage of the Sports Governance Bill 2025 brings a uniform structure to sports administration. Yet, by excluding BCCI from RTI, it continues the long-standing debate about whether cricket’s governing body should be accountable to the public. While other sports federations receiving government funds will now fall under RTI scrutiny, BCCI maintains its independent status.
Conclusion
The proposed Sports Governance Bill stands as a crucial step toward reforming the management of sports in India. By ensuring accountability, transparency, and professionalism, the bill has the potential to address long-standing issues of corruption, favoritism, and a lack of athlete-centric policies. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of bringing sports bodies under proper regulatory frameworks while still promoting autonomy and efficiency. If implemented effectively, the Sports Governance Bill can pave the way for a stronger sporting culture in India, where athletes receive the recognition, resources, and opportunities they deserve. In essence, this reform is not just about governance—it is about building a foundation for India’s emergence as a global sporting leader.
FAQs on the Sports Governance Bill
The Bill seeks to align Indian sports governance with global best practices while improving transparency and accountability in national sports bodies.
BCCI does not receive direct government funding, and the amended Bill limits RTI coverage only to bodies that get such financial assistance.
The Supreme Court has noted that BCCI performs public functions, including selecting national teams, which should make it more accountable.
The Central Information Commission declared BCCI a public authority and directed it to create an RTI mechanism, but the order was stayed in court.
It would allow citizens to access details about team selections, financial deals, and administrative decisions, ensuring greater transparency in cricket governance.
CITATIONS
- National Sports Governance Bill gets passed in Lok Sabha – here’s how it will affect the BCCI
- Amendments proposed to the Sports Bill to keep the BCCI out of the RTI ambit