The Hindu Editorial • May 22, 2026 • Read Original

Bat for the better: On the BCCI and the RTI Act

Courts must treat tax exemptions to the BCCI as a form of state grant

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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on May 22, 2026

Bat for the better: On the BCCI and the RTI Act

Courts must treat tax exemptions to the BCCI as a form of state grant

BCCIRTI ActCentral Information CommissionPublic AuthorityTax ExemptionsSports Administration

Sentences

Sentence 1 of 14

English Original

Simple Past Passive Subject + Verb + Object + Adjunct + Adjunct

The RTI Act was originally designed to scrutinise the state, a limit that the BCCI has repeatedly tested thanks to its outsized power.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The RTI Act

The Right to Information Act, which is a law in India that lets citizens ask the government for information

Part 2

was originally designed

Was planned and created at the very beginning

Part 3

to scrutinise the state

To carefully examine and inspect the actions of the government

Part 4

a limit that the BCCI has repeatedly tested

A boundary of control that the BCCI has often tried to push or cross

Part 5

thanks to its outsized power

Because it has an extremely large amount of influence and control

Context and Background

RTI Act and BCCI Controversy

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, was enacted to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), despite managing cricket in India, has long resisted coming under the RTI Act, arguing that it is a private body and not funded by the government.

Sentence 2 of 14

English Original

Simple Present Subject + Verb + Complement

The BCCI is a private body that operates commercially and lacks direct public financing.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, which is the governing body for cricket in India

Part 2

Exists as or represents

Part 3

a private body that operates commercially and lacks direct public financing

A non-government organization that makes money through business (like selling tickets and broadcasting rights) and does not receive money directly from the tax revenues of the government

Sentence 3 of 14

English Original

Present Modal Subject + Verb + Object + Verb + Object + Adjunct

RTI disclosures could expose competitive information and compromise the flexibility required to govern a sport, especially since the BCCI already has anti-corruption measures and comes under judicial review if required.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

RTI disclosures

Revealing documents or records under the Right to Information Act

Part 2

could expose

Might show or reveal secret things

Part 3

competitive information

Business data that rival sports boards or companies could use to their advantage

Part 4

compromise

Harm or weaken the effectiveness of something

Part 5

the flexibility required to govern a sport

The freedom and adaptability needed to make quick decisions and manage cricket rules and matches

Part 6

especially since the BCCI already has anti-corruption measures and comes under judicial review if required

Particularly because the BCCI already has rules to stop cheating and bribery, and courts can review its decisions anyway if a lawsuit is filed

Sentence 4 of 14

English Original

Simple Present Adjunct + Verb + Adjunct + Subject

If the BCCI is brought under the Act’s remit, there is also a risk of political forces abusing transparency requirements to exert greater influence on cricket administration.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

If the BCCI is brought under the Act’s remit

If the BCCI is forced to follow the rules and requirements of the RTI Act

Part 2

Exists

Part 3

also

In addition

Part 4

a risk of political forces abusing transparency requirements to exert greater influence on cricket administration

A danger that politicians or political parties will use the information-sharing rules in a harmful way to take control of how cricket is run in India

Sentence 5 of 14

English Original

Simple Present Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Complement + Adjunct

Even so, the Central Information Commission’s (CIC) recent decision to exclude the BCCI from the RTI Act is unlikely to go uncontested because the body has also monopolised a national sport.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Even so

Despite these arguments or reasons

Part 2

the Central Information Commission’s (CIC) recent decision to exclude the BCCI from the RTI Act

The recent ruling by the top government information office saying that the BCCI does not have to answer public information requests

Part 3

Exists as or represents

Part 4

unlikely to go uncontested

Not expected to be accepted quietly; someone will definitely challenge it in court

Part 5

because the body has also monopolised a national sport

Since the BCCI has total control over cricket, which is a sport loved and watched by the whole country

Context and Background

Central Information Commission (CIC)

The Central Information Commission (CIC) is the highest appellate authority under the RTI Act, 2005. It decides on appeals and complaints related to information disclosure from central public authorities. Its decisions are binding unless stayed or overturned by a High Court or the Supreme Court.

Sentence 6 of 14

English Original

Simple Present Subject + Verb + Adjunct + Verb + Object + Verb + Object + Verb + Adjunct

The BCCI benefits from national symbolism, police deployment at matches, concessional land allotments, and State hospitality; uses public stadium infrastructure; enjoys the regulatory privileges accruing to its monopoly status; and negotiates with foreign boards in ways that sometimes overlap with diplomacy.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India

Part 2

benefits

Receives helpful advantages, resources, or profits

Part 3

from national symbolism, police deployment at matches, concessional land allotments, and State hospitality

From using the Indian national flag/colors, having government police force for security, buying public land at extremely low rates, and receiving VIP state treatment

Part 4

uses

Employs or makes use of facilities

Part 5

public stadium infrastructure

Sports stadiums and related public facilities built and funded by the government

Part 6

enjoys

Possesses and takes advantage of particular rights

Part 7

the regulatory privileges accruing to its monopoly status

Special legal exemptions and rights that come from being the only recognized body for cricket in India

Part 8

negotiates

Conducts official discussions to settle matches and terms

Part 9

with foreign boards in ways that sometimes overlap with diplomacy

With cricket administrations of other countries in a manner that closely resembles official political and international relations between governments

Sentence 7 of 14

English Original

Simple Present Subject + Verb + Object + Adjunct

This means that the BCCI is not just a private body but a de facto public monopoly that has taken over a public asset.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

This fact

Part 2

means

Shows, indicates, or proves

Part 3

that the BCCI is not just a private body but a de facto public monopoly

That the BCCI is not simply a normal private business, but is actually functioning in reality as the single, government-like controller of cricket

Part 4

that has taken over a public asset

Which has taken complete control of a sport that belongs to the country and its citizens

Sentence 8 of 14

English Original

Simple Past Subject + Verb + Adjunct + Object + Adjunct + Adjunct

The Supreme Court noted in 2015 that the BCCI is a public authority because it performs important public functions, despite its status as a private body.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Supreme Court

The highest judicial court in India

Part 2

noted

Observed or officially stated in a judgment

Part 3

in 2015

During the year 2015

Part 4

that the BCCI is a public authority

That the BCCI should be seen as an organization performing public duties

Part 5

because it performs important public functions

Because it is in charge of tasks that affect the public, like selecting the national team and regulating cricket matches

Part 6

despite its status as a private body

Even though it is officially registered as a private society rather than a government department

Context and Background

BCCI v. Cricket Association of Bihar (2015)

In the 2015 BCCI v. Cricket Association of Bihar case, the Supreme Court ruled that while the BCCI is a private body and not ‘State’ under Article 12 of the Constitution, it performs public functions. Therefore, it is subject to the writ jurisdiction of High Courts under Article 226, meaning its decisions must be fair and transparent.

Sentence 9 of 14

English Original

Simple Past Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Object

In 2018, the Law Commission of India recommended that the BCCI should be classified as a public authority under the RTI Act, or at least as a national sports federation.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In 2018

During the year 2018

Part 2

the Law Commission of India

A government-appointed body of legal experts that advises the Indian government on law reforms

Part 3

recommended

Suggested as the right thing to do or official advice

Part 4

that the BCCI should be classified as a public authority under the RTI Act, or at least as a national sports federation

That the BCCI must be officially declared either a public body under the RTI Act, or at least be treated like a National Sports Federation (NSF), which has similar rules for transparency

Context and Background

Law Commission of India

The Law Commission of India’s 275th Report, ‘Legal Framework: BCCI vis-à-vis Right to Information Act, 2005’, recommended that the BCCI should be classified as an agency or instrumentality of the State under Article 12 of the Constitution, making it subject to the RTI Act and public accountability.

Sentence 10 of 14

English Original

Simple Present Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Object

If the law does not consider the BCCI a public authority under Section 2(h) of the Act, then the law needs to change.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

If the law does not consider the BCCI a public authority under Section 2(h) of the Act

If the current text of Section 2(h) of the RTI Act fails to cover the BCCI

Part 2

the law

The legal framework or the RTI Act itself

Part 3

needs

Requires or is necessary

Part 4

to change

To be modified or amended by the parliament

Context and Background

Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005

Section 2(h) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, defines ‘public authority’ as any authority or body established or constituted under the Constitution, by parliament, by state legislature, or by government notification, including bodies owned, controlled, or substantially financed by the government.

Sentence 11 of 14

English Original

Present Modal Subject + Verb + Object + Verb + Object + Complement

A simple amendment could include bodies that have monopoly power and discharge public functions, but allow them to withhold commercially sensitive information.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A simple amendment

A small and easy change in the wording of the law

Part 2

could include

Might cover or bring under the rules of the law

Part 3

bodies that have monopoly power and discharge public functions

Organizations that are the only ones controlling a sector and perform duties that affect the general public

Part 4

allow

Permit or give official permission to

Part 5

them

Those organizations, such as the BCCI

Part 6

to withhold commercially sensitive information

To keep secret their business-related private details (like bids or match broadcast contracts) which could harm them if their rivals saw them

Sentence 12 of 14

English Original

Simple Present Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Object + Adjunct + Adjunct

Currently, Section 8 of the RTI Act exempts trade secrets and commercial confidence from disclosure unless there is a larger public interest.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Currently

At the present time / right now

Part 2

Section 8 of the RTI Act

The specific part of the Right to Information Act that lists information that can be kept secret

Part 3

exempts

Excuses or frees from the obligation of sharing

Part 4

trade secrets and commercial confidence

Business secrets and private commercial documents that could help competitors if they were made public

Part 5

from disclosure

From being revealed or made public

Part 6

unless there is a larger public interest

Except when showing the information is extremely important for the good of all citizens (like exposing corruption)

Context and Background

Section 8 of the RTI Act (Exemptions)

Section 8 of the RTI Act, 2005, contains provisions for the ‘Exemption from disclosure of information’. It lists specific categories of information that public authorities are not obliged to give to citizens, including information affecting national security, cabinet papers, trade secrets, and personal privacy, unless a larger public interest warrants disclosure.

Sentence 13 of 14

English Original

Present Modal Subject + Verb + Object + Complement + Adjunct

Courts must also treat tax exemptions granted to the BCCI as a form of state grant, which would automatically bring the body within the scope of Section 2(h) as a substantially financed body.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Courts

The legal institutions and judges

Part 2

must also treat

Are obligated to classify or view as well

Part 3

tax exemptions granted to the BCCI

The government-given benefits of not paying taxes on income or matches

Part 4

as a form of state grant

Just like receiving direct cash funding from the government

Part 5

which would automatically bring the body within the scope of Section 2(h) as a substantially financed body

Which would mean the BCCI instantly meets the definition of an organization that gets a large amount of government money under the RTI Act

Context and Background

Substantially Financed under Section 2(h)

Under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, a body is a public authority if it is ‘substantially financed’ by the government. In various cases, the Supreme Court has clarified that substantial financing does not need to be direct cash funding; it can also be indirect funding, such as cheap land allotments or tax exemptions.

Sentence 14 of 14

English Original

Present Perfect Subject + Verb + Complement

The time has come to bat for a better, more transparent sporting administration.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The time

The appropriate moment or opportunity

Part 2

has come

Arrived or is here now

Part 3

to bat for a better, more transparent sporting administration

To advocate for, support, and work towards achieving an open, honest, and high-quality system of managing sports

Sentence 1 of 14

The RTI Act was originally designed to scrutinise the state, a limit that the BCCI has repeatedly tested thanks to its outsized power.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The RTI Act

The Right to Information Act, which is a law in India that lets citizens ask the government for information

Part 2

was originally designed

Was planned and created at the very beginning

Part 3

to scrutinise the state

To carefully examine and inspect the actions of the government

Part 4

a limit that the BCCI has repeatedly tested

A boundary of control that the BCCI has often tried to push or cross

Part 5

thanks to its outsized power

Because it has an extremely large amount of influence and control

Sentence 2 of 14

The BCCI is a private body that operates commercially and lacks direct public financing.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, which is the governing body for cricket in India

Part 2

Exists as or represents

Part 3

a private body that operates commercially and lacks direct public financing

A non-government organization that makes money through business (like selling tickets and broadcasting rights) and does not receive money directly from the tax revenues of the government

Sentence 3 of 14

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

RTI disclosures

Revealing documents or records under the Right to Information Act

Part 2

could expose

Might show or reveal secret things

Part 3

competitive information

Business data that rival sports boards or companies could use to their advantage

Part 4

compromise

Harm or weaken the effectiveness of something

Part 5

the flexibility required to govern a sport

The freedom and adaptability needed to make quick decisions and manage cricket rules and matches

Part 6

especially since the BCCI already has anti-corruption measures and comes under judicial review if required

Particularly because the BCCI already has rules to stop cheating and bribery, and courts can review its decisions anyway if a lawsuit is filed

Sentence 4 of 14

If the BCCI is brought under the Act’s remit, there is also a risk of political forces abusing transparency requirements to exert greater influence on cricket administration.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

If the BCCI is brought under the Act’s remit

If the BCCI is forced to follow the rules and requirements of the RTI Act

Part 2

Exists

Part 3

also

In addition

Part 4

a risk of political forces abusing transparency requirements to exert greater influence on cricket administration

A danger that politicians or political parties will use the information-sharing rules in a harmful way to take control of how cricket is run in India

Sentence 5 of 14

Even so, the Central Information Commission’s (CIC) recent decision to exclude the BCCI from the RTI Act is unlikely to go uncontested because the body has also monopolised a national sport.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Even so

Despite these arguments or reasons

Part 2

the Central Information Commission’s (CIC) recent decision to exclude the BCCI from the RTI Act

The recent ruling by the top government information office saying that the BCCI does not have to answer public information requests

Part 3

Exists as or represents

Part 4

unlikely to go uncontested

Not expected to be accepted quietly; someone will definitely challenge it in court

Part 5

because the body has also monopolised a national sport

Since the BCCI has total control over cricket, which is a sport loved and watched by the whole country

Sentence 6 of 14

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India

Part 2

benefits

Receives helpful advantages, resources, or profits

Part 3

from national symbolism, police deployment at matches, concessional land allotments, and State hospitality

From using the Indian national flag/colors, having government police force for security, buying public land at extremely low rates, and receiving VIP state treatment

Part 4

uses

Employs or makes use of facilities

Part 5

public stadium infrastructure

Sports stadiums and related public facilities built and funded by the government

Part 6

enjoys

Possesses and takes advantage of particular rights

Part 7

the regulatory privileges accruing to its monopoly status

Special legal exemptions and rights that come from being the only recognized body for cricket in India

Part 8

negotiates

Conducts official discussions to settle matches and terms

Part 9

with foreign boards in ways that sometimes overlap with diplomacy

With cricket administrations of other countries in a manner that closely resembles official political and international relations between governments

Sentence 7 of 14

This means that the BCCI is not just a private body but a de facto public monopoly that has taken over a public asset.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

This fact

Part 2

means

Shows, indicates, or proves

Part 3

that the BCCI is not just a private body but a de facto public monopoly

That the BCCI is not simply a normal private business, but is actually functioning in reality as the single, government-like controller of cricket

Part 4

that has taken over a public asset

Which has taken complete control of a sport that belongs to the country and its citizens

Sentence 8 of 14

The Supreme Court noted in 2015 that the BCCI is a public authority because it performs important public functions, despite its status as a private body.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Supreme Court

The highest judicial court in India

Part 2

noted

Observed or officially stated in a judgment

Part 3

in 2015

During the year 2015

Part 4

that the BCCI is a public authority

That the BCCI should be seen as an organization performing public duties

Part 5

because it performs important public functions

Because it is in charge of tasks that affect the public, like selecting the national team and regulating cricket matches

Part 6

despite its status as a private body

Even though it is officially registered as a private society rather than a government department

Sentence 9 of 14

In 2018, the Law Commission of India recommended that the BCCI should be classified as a public authority under the RTI Act, or at least as a national sports federation.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In 2018

During the year 2018

Part 2

the Law Commission of India

A government-appointed body of legal experts that advises the Indian government on law reforms

Part 3

recommended

Suggested as the right thing to do or official advice

Part 4

that the BCCI should be classified as a public authority under the RTI Act, or at least as a national sports federation

That the BCCI must be officially declared either a public body under the RTI Act, or at least be treated like a National Sports Federation (NSF), which has similar rules for transparency

Sentence 10 of 14

If the law does not consider the BCCI a public authority under Section 2(h) of the Act, then the law needs to change.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

If the law does not consider the BCCI a public authority under Section 2(h) of the Act

If the current text of Section 2(h) of the RTI Act fails to cover the BCCI

Part 2

the law

The legal framework or the RTI Act itself

Part 3

needs

Requires or is necessary

Part 4

to change

To be modified or amended by the parliament

Sentence 11 of 14

A simple amendment could include bodies that have monopoly power and discharge public functions, but allow them to withhold commercially sensitive information.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A simple amendment

A small and easy change in the wording of the law

Part 2

could include

Might cover or bring under the rules of the law

Part 3

bodies that have monopoly power and discharge public functions

Organizations that are the only ones controlling a sector and perform duties that affect the general public

Part 4

allow

Permit or give official permission to

Part 5

them

Those organizations, such as the BCCI

Part 6

to withhold commercially sensitive information

To keep secret their business-related private details (like bids or match broadcast contracts) which could harm them if their rivals saw them

Sentence 12 of 14

Currently, Section 8 of the RTI Act exempts trade secrets and commercial confidence from disclosure unless there is a larger public interest.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Currently

At the present time / right now

Part 2

Section 8 of the RTI Act

The specific part of the Right to Information Act that lists information that can be kept secret

Part 3

exempts

Excuses or frees from the obligation of sharing

Part 4

trade secrets and commercial confidence

Business secrets and private commercial documents that could help competitors if they were made public

Part 5

from disclosure

From being revealed or made public

Part 6

unless there is a larger public interest

Except when showing the information is extremely important for the good of all citizens (like exposing corruption)

Sentence 13 of 14

Courts must also treat tax exemptions granted to the BCCI as a form of state grant, which would automatically bring the body within the scope of Section 2(h) as a substantially financed body.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Courts

The legal institutions and judges

Part 2

must also treat

Are obligated to classify or view as well

Part 3

tax exemptions granted to the BCCI

The government-given benefits of not paying taxes on income or matches

Part 4

as a form of state grant

Just like receiving direct cash funding from the government

Part 5

which would automatically bring the body within the scope of Section 2(h) as a substantially financed body

Which would mean the BCCI instantly meets the definition of an organization that gets a large amount of government money under the RTI Act

Sentence 14 of 14

The time has come to bat for a better, more transparent sporting administration.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The time

The appropriate moment or opportunity

Part 2

has come

Arrived or is here now

Part 3

to bat for a better, more transparent sporting administration

To advocate for, support, and work towards achieving an open, honest, and high-quality system of managing sports

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - BCCI and RTI Act

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about bringing the BCCI under the RTI Act.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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Bat for the better: On the BCCI and the RTI Act

Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension - BCCI and RTI Act

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