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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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The Hindu Read Original
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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

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

Simple Past Passive Subject + Verb + Object + Adjunct + Adjunct Main Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The RTI Act
The Right to Information Act, which is a law in India that lets citizens ask the government for information
Verb What is happening
was originally designed
Was planned and created at the very beginning
Object What receives action
to scrutinise the state
To carefully examine and inspect the actions of the government
Adjunct Additional info
a limit that the BCCI has repeatedly tested
A boundary of control that the BCCI has often tried to push or cross
Adjunct Additional info
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

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

Simple Present Subject + Verb + Complement Main Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India, which is the governing body for cricket in India
Verb What is happening
is
Exists as or represents
Complement Completes meaning
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

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.

Present Modal Subject + Verb + Object + Verb + Object + Adjunct Main Clause (with a subordinate adverbial clause) Complex-Compound Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
RTI disclosures
Revealing documents or records under the Right to Information Act
Verb What is happening
could expose
Might show or reveal secret things
Object What receives action
competitive information
Business data that rival sports boards or companies could use to their advantage
Verb What is happening
compromise
Harm or weaken the effectiveness of something
Object What receives action
the flexibility required to govern a sport
The freedom and adaptability needed to make quick decisions and manage cricket rules and matches
Adjunct Additional info
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

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.

Simple Present Adjunct + Verb + Adjunct + Subject Main Clause (with a subordinate conditional clause) Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
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
Verb What is happening
is
Exists
Adjunct Additional info
also
In addition
Subject Who/What
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

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.

Simple Present Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Complement + Adjunct Main Clause (with a subordinate adverbial clause) Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
Even so
Despite these arguments or reasons
Subject Who/What
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
Verb What is happening
is
Exists as or represents
Complement Completes meaning
unlikely to go uncontested
Not expected to be accepted quietly; someone will definitely challenge it in court
Adjunct Additional info
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

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.

Simple Present Subject + Verb + Adjunct + Verb + Object + Verb + Object + Verb + Adjunct Main Clause Compound Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India
Verb What is happening
benefits
Receives helpful advantages, resources, or profits
Adjunct Additional info
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
Verb What is happening
uses
Employs or makes use of facilities
Object What receives action
public stadium infrastructure
Sports stadiums and related public facilities built and funded by the government
Verb What is happening
enjoys
Possesses and takes advantage of particular rights
Object What receives action
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
Verb What is happening
negotiates
Conducts official discussions to settle matches and terms
Adjunct Additional info
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

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

Simple Present Subject + Verb + Object + Adjunct Main Clause (with subordinate clauses) Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
This
This fact
Verb What is happening
means
Shows, indicates, or proves
Object What receives action
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
Adjunct Additional info
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

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.

Simple Past Subject + Verb + Adjunct + Object + Adjunct + Adjunct Main Clause (with subordinate clauses) Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The Supreme Court
The highest judicial court in India
Verb What is happening
noted
Observed or officially stated in a judgment
Adjunct Additional info
in 2015
During the year 2015
Object What receives action
that the BCCI is a public authority
That the BCCI should be seen as an organization performing public duties
Adjunct Additional info
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
Adjunct Additional info
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

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.

Simple Past Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Object Main Clause (with a subordinate noun clause) Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
In 2018
During the year 2018
Subject Who/What
the Law Commission of India
A government-appointed body of legal experts that advises the Indian government on law reforms
Verb What is happening
recommended
Suggested as the right thing to do or official advice
Object What receives action
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

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

Simple Present Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Object Main Clause (with a subordinate conditional clause) Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
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
Subject Who/What
the law
The legal framework or the RTI Act itself
Verb What is happening
needs
Requires or is necessary
Object What receives action
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

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

Present Modal Subject + Verb + Object + Verb + Object + Complement Main Clause Compound Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
A simple amendment
A small and easy change in the wording of the law
Verb What is happening
could include
Might cover or bring under the rules of the law
Object What receives action
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
Verb What is happening
allow
Permit or give official permission to
Object What receives action
them
Those organizations, such as the BCCI
Complement Completes meaning
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

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

Simple Present Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Object + Adjunct + Adjunct Main Clause (with a subordinate conditional clause) Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
Currently
At the present time / right now
Subject Who/What
Section 8 of the RTI Act
The specific part of the Right to Information Act that lists information that can be kept secret
Verb What is happening
exempts
Excuses or frees from the obligation of sharing
Object What receives action
trade secrets and commercial confidence
Business secrets and private commercial documents that could help competitors if they were made public
Adjunct Additional info
from disclosure
From being revealed or made public
Adjunct Additional info
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

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.

Present Modal Subject + Verb + Object + Complement + Adjunct Main Clause (with a subordinate relative clause) Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Courts
The legal institutions and judges
Verb What is happening
must also treat
Are obligated to classify or view as well
Object What receives action
tax exemptions granted to the BCCI
The government-given benefits of not paying taxes on income or matches
Complement Completes meaning
as a form of state grant
Just like receiving direct cash funding from the government
Adjunct Additional info
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

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

Present Perfect Subject + Verb + Complement Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The time
The appropriate moment or opportunity
Verb What is happening
has come
Arrived or is here now
Complement Completes meaning
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
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The RTI Act
The Right to Information Act, which is a law in India that lets citizens ask the government for information
Verb
was originally designed
Was planned and created at the very beginning
Object
to scrutinise the state
To carefully examine and inspect the actions of the government
Adjunct
a limit that the BCCI has repeatedly tested
A boundary of control that the BCCI has often tried to push or cross
Adjunct
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India, which is the governing body for cricket in India
Verb
is
Exists as or represents
Complement
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
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
RTI disclosures
Revealing documents or records under the Right to Information Act
Verb
could expose
Might show or reveal secret things
Object
competitive information
Business data that rival sports boards or companies could use to their advantage
Verb
compromise
Harm or weaken the effectiveness of something
Object
the flexibility required to govern a sport
The freedom and adaptability needed to make quick decisions and manage cricket rules and matches
Adjunct
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
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
Verb
is
Exists
Adjunct
also
In addition
Subject
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Even so
Despite these arguments or reasons
Subject
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
Verb
is
Exists as or represents
Complement
unlikely to go uncontested
Not expected to be accepted quietly; someone will definitely challenge it in court
Adjunct
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
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India
Verb
benefits
Receives helpful advantages, resources, or profits
Adjunct
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
Verb
uses
Employs or makes use of facilities
Object
public stadium infrastructure
Sports stadiums and related public facilities built and funded by the government
Verb
enjoys
Possesses and takes advantage of particular rights
Object
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
Verb
negotiates
Conducts official discussions to settle matches and terms
Adjunct
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
This
This fact
Verb
means
Shows, indicates, or proves
Object
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
Adjunct
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The Supreme Court
The highest judicial court in India
Verb
noted
Observed or officially stated in a judgment
Adjunct
in 2015
During the year 2015
Object
that the BCCI is a public authority
That the BCCI should be seen as an organization performing public duties
Adjunct
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
Adjunct
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
In 2018
During the year 2018
Subject
the Law Commission of India
A government-appointed body of legal experts that advises the Indian government on law reforms
Verb
recommended
Suggested as the right thing to do or official advice
Object
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
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
Subject
the law
The legal framework or the RTI Act itself
Verb
needs
Requires or is necessary
Object
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
A simple amendment
A small and easy change in the wording of the law
Verb
could include
Might cover or bring under the rules of the law
Object
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
Verb
allow
Permit or give official permission to
Object
them
Those organizations, such as the BCCI
Complement
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Currently
At the present time / right now
Subject
Section 8 of the RTI Act
The specific part of the Right to Information Act that lists information that can be kept secret
Verb
exempts
Excuses or frees from the obligation of sharing
Object
trade secrets and commercial confidence
Business secrets and private commercial documents that could help competitors if they were made public
Adjunct
from disclosure
From being revealed or made public
Adjunct
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Courts
The legal institutions and judges
Verb
must also treat
Are obligated to classify or view as well
Object
tax exemptions granted to the BCCI
The government-given benefits of not paying taxes on income or matches
Complement
as a form of state grant
Just like receiving direct cash funding from the government
Adjunct
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The time
The appropriate moment or opportunity
Verb
has come
Arrived or is here now
Complement
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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