The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has once again avoided being fully subjected to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, thanks to an amendment in the recently introduced National Sports Governance Bill, 2025. This development marks a significant reprieve for cricket’s richest governing body, which has long maintained its autonomy and financial independence from the government.
Background: The RTI Act and BCCI’s Long-Standing Stand
BCCI operates as an autonomous entity registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, and has consistently argued that it is not a “public authority” under the RTI Act since it does not receive direct government funding. Despite recommendations and legal opinions from the Supreme Court, the Law Commission of India, and the Central Information Commission (CIC) calling for greater transparency, the cricket board has resisted calls for public scrutiny for over a decade.
One of the key contentions has been that BCCI runs independently without state financial assistance, even though indirect benefits—such as tax exemptions and heavily subsidized land from state governments—have been pointed out by regulatory bodies as forms of government support.
The National Sports Governance Bill and Its Evolution
Initially introduced to Parliament by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the National Sports Governance Bill aimed to regulate all sporting bodies in India, including the BCCI, by bringing them under a unified regulatory framework. The original draft classified all recognized sports organizations as public authorities, making them fully accountable under the RTI Act.
However, this blanket approach faced backlash, particularly from the BCCI and similar sports bodies claiming financial independence from government grants. In response, the government revised the bill’s language to clarify that only organizations receiving direct financial aid or assistance from the government would fall under the RTI’s purview.
What the Amendment Means for BCCI
The crucial amendment has now restricted RTI applicability to entities that receive government funding or tangible assistance such as infrastructure support. This means that while bodies like the BCCI—which do not depend on direct government grants—are shielded from full RTI transparency, they could still come under scrutiny if they benefit from non-monetary government support.
This nuanced change essentially allows the BCCI to maintain operational autonomy while opening a limited window for accountability concerning government assistance.
Implications for Sports Governance and Cricket Administration
Under the new bill, the BCCI will still be required to register as a National Sports Federation, given cricket’s inclusion as an Olympic sport in the 2028 Games. They will come under the oversight of the newly proposed National Sports Board, which will supervise recognition of all sports federations, oversee compliance with governance standards, and ensure a swift resolution of disputes via the National Sports Tribunal.
The Bill also proposes extending the age limit for sports administrators from 70 to 75 years, allowing for continuity in leadership within sports organizations like the BCCI.
The Road Ahead
The Sports Ministry’s move to revise RTI norms represents a pragmatic balance between promoting transparency and respecting the independence of financially self-sufficient sports bodies. However, critics warn that this could dilute public oversight and demand vigilance to ensure good governance prevails.
As India positions itself as a global sports hub, especially with upcoming international events like the 2036 Summer Olympics bid, this legislation aims to bring greater professionalism, transparency, and efficiency across the sports ecosystem—including cricket, the country’s most followed sport.
The BCCI has stated that it will study the revised Bill carefully before finalizing its response. Meanwhile, the sports fraternity and legal experts continue to watch closely as Parliament debates one of the most consequential reforms in Indian sports administration in recent times.
