{"id":673,"date":"2025-09-02T06:46:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T06:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spmiasacademy.com\/currentaffairs\/?p=673"},"modified":"2025-09-06T06:59:39","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T06:59:39","slug":"national-sports-governance-bill-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spmiasacademy.com\/currentaffairs\/national-sports-governance-bill-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Sports Governance Bill Passes, Keeps BCCI Outside RTI Scope"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Sports Governance Bill 2025<\/strong> 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Sports Governance Bill?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Sports Governance Bill 2025<\/strong> aims to regulate national sports bodies in line with Olympic and Paralympic Charters, while also promoting accountability and transparency. It aims to bring uniformity in sports administration and align Indian practices with international standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is BCCI Exempted from RTI?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Sports<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The BCCI<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s purview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Judicial and Expert Opinions on BCCI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Several authorities have recommended over the years to bring the BCCI under the RTI Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n