In a significant development for Indian sports governance, the much-anticipated National Sports Development Code (Amendment) Bill is set to bring clarity on the applicability of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The amended draft proposes that only sports bodies receiving government funding will come under the purview of RTI—offering a major relief to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and other privately funded federations.
What the Amended Bill Proposes
The revised Sports Code, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament soon, defines the accountability mechanism for sports federations across the country. One of its most talked-about clauses deals with transparency and public access to information under the RTI Act.
According to officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the updated draft now states that:
“Only those National Sports Federations (NSFs), associations, and governing bodies that receive direct or indirect financial assistance from the government shall be considered public authorities under the RTI Act.”
This effectively excludes BCCI, which operates independently and does not take government grants, from RTI scrutiny—despite being India’s richest and most powerful sports body.
Why This Is a Relief for BCCI
The BCCI has long maintained that it is an autonomous, private body that generates its own revenue through media rights, sponsorships, and gate collections, and therefore, it should not be treated as a public authority.
In 2018, the Central Information Commission (CIC) had ruled that the BCCI should come under the RTI Act. However, the board challenged this, arguing that it neither receives government funds nor falls under any ministry, despite managing a sport that represents the country internationally.
With this amended bill, the BCCI now gets legislative backing for its stance, ending years of legal ambiguity.
What It Means for Other Sports Bodies
While BCCI may breathe easy, other sports federations like Hockey India, Wrestling Federation of India, and Athletics Federation of India, which regularly receive government aid for training, infrastructure, and international participation, will continue to remain under RTI scrutiny.
This is expected to:
- Improve transparency in team selection, use of public funds, and governance
- Hold federations accountable for athlete welfare
- Allow stakeholders, journalists, and the public to question financial and operational decisions
The Ministry has emphasized that this move will not dilute accountability, but will instead streamline it, ensuring that only taxpayer-funded bodies are obligated to disclose information under RTI.
Experts React: Mixed Responses
Legal and sports analysts have expressed mixed views on the revised clause. Some hail it as a pragmatic solution that protects private bodies from bureaucratic overreach, while others argue that bodies like the BCCI, given their national influence and social responsibility, should still maintain a degree of public transparency.
RTI activists warn that this move could lead to selective transparency, with powerful organizations escaping public scrutiny while smaller ones bear the brunt of oversight.
What the Government Says
A senior official from the Sports Ministry stated:
“The aim is to create a realistic and legally sustainable framework. We want to ensure that public funds are used transparently, without discouraging private investment or creating fear among self-financed institutions.”
The official added that periodic audits and performance benchmarks will still be mandated for all federations, even those outside RTI.
Looking Ahead: Reforms Still on Track
While the RTI clause has taken the spotlight, the amended Sports Bill includes several other reforms aimed at improving Indian sports:
- Age and tenure limits for office bearers
- Mandatory athlete representation in decision-making bodies
- Enhanced gender equality in sports governance
- Stricter anti-doping compliance measures
The government hopes this revised bill will foster a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive sports ecosystem in the country—without impeding privately run organizations that have delivered results on the global stage.
A Win for BCCI, A Watchpoint for Others
With the RTI exemption under the new Sports Bill, the BCCI has successfully shielded itself from mandatory public scrutiny—for now. But the onus remains on the cricketing giant to maintain voluntary transparency and uphold public trust in how it manages India’s most beloved sport.
Meanwhile, government-funded federations must prepare to embrace transparency and accountability like never before, ensuring that every rupee of public money spent on sports benefits athletes and the nation.