UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — RTI Act does not apply to Cricket Board, says CIC order

Q1. Under Section 2(h) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, a 'public authority' includes a body 'established or constituted' through instruments of the appropriate authority. How many distinct categories of such establishing/constituting instruments are enumerated in the definition (i.e., by/under the Constitution, by law of Parliament, by law of a State Legislature, and by notification/order of the appropriate Government)?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the definition of 'public authority' under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005: 1. The definition uses the word 'means', making it an exhaustive definition rather than a merely illustrative one. 2. A non-Government organisation substantially financed, directly or indirectly, by funds provided by the appropriate Government can qualify as a public authority. 3. A body qualifies as a public authority only if it is constituted by a law of Parliament, bodies created by State legislation being excluded. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The definition uses the word 'means', making it an exhaustive definition rather than a merely illustrative one.
  2. A non-Government organisation substantially financed, directly or indirectly, by funds provided by the appropriate Government can qualify as a public authority.
  3. A body qualifies as a public authority only if it is constituted by a law of Parliament, bodies created by State legislation being excluded.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the Supreme Court's decision in Zee Telefilms Ltd. v. Union of India (2005) concerning the BCCI, consider the following statements: 1. The Court held that the BCCI is not 'State' within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution. 2. The Court held that the BCCI is amenable to writ jurisdiction as it discharges public functions. 3. The Court held that the BCCI is substantially financed by the Union Government. 4. The matter was decided by a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Court held that the BCCI is not 'State' within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution.
  2. The Court held that the BCCI is amenable to writ jurisdiction as it discharges public functions.
  3. The Court held that the BCCI is substantially financed by the Union Government.
  4. The matter was decided by a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4

Q4. In Zee Telefilms Ltd. v. Union of India (2005), having held that the BCCI is not 'State' under Article 12, the Supreme Court nonetheless held it answerable through the writ jurisdiction exercisable by which of the following?

  • A. The High Courts under Article 226
  • B. The Supreme Court alone under Article 32
  • C. The Central Administrative Tribunal
  • D. The Central Information Commission under the RTI Act

Q5. Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, which body is the final/highest appellate authority whose May 2026 order held that the BCCI is not a 'public authority'?

  • A. The Central Information Commission
  • B. The State Information Commission concerned
  • C. The Madras High Court
  • D. The Supreme Court of India

Q6. In its May 2026 order, the Central Information Commission held that the BCCI cannot be classified as a 'Public Authority' within the meaning of which provision of the RTI Act, 2005?

  • A. Section 2(h)
  • B. Section 2(f)
  • C. Section 2(j)
  • D. Section 8(1)

Q7. The Central Information Commission consists of the Chief Information Commissioner and Central Information Commissioners not exceeding how many in number?

  • A. Five
  • B. Ten
  • C. Eleven
  • D. Fifteen

Q8. The Chief Information Commissioner is appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee chaired by which of the following?

  • A. The Prime Minister
  • B. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
  • C. The Chief Justice of India
  • D. The Union Minister of Home Affairs

Q9. The BCCI holds the legal character of a registered society. Its registration is effected under which one of the following?

  • A. The Registrar of Societies under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975
  • B. The Registrar of Companies under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs
  • C. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
  • D. The Central Information Commission

Q10. The BCCI is primarily governed, as regards its constitution as a body, by which one of the following statutes?

  • A. The Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975
  • B. The Societies Registration Act, 1860
  • C. The Companies Act, 2013
  • D. The Indian Trusts Act, 1882

Q11. Under the framework applicable from 2025 for greater governmental oversight of National Sports Federations, a National Sports Board has been established under which one of the following?

  • A. The National Sports Governance Act, 2025
  • B. The National Sports Development Code, 2011
  • C. The Sports Authority of India Act, 1984
  • D. The National Sports Federations (Regulation) Act, 2011

Q12. Consider the following statements distinguishing the Article 12 'State' test from the RTI Act 'public authority' test: 1. To be 'State' under Article 12 an entity must be under the deep and pervasive control of the government, whereas being 'substantially financed' by the government can by itself bring an entity within 'public authority' under the RTI Act. 2. A body that fails the Article 12 'State' test can never be classified as a 'public authority' under the RTI Act. 3. The Article 12 test is primarily relevant to the enforceability of fundamental rights, while the RTI 'public authority' test governs the obligation to disclose information. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. To be 'State' under Article 12 an entity must be under the deep and pervasive control of the government, whereas being 'substantially financed' by the government can by itself bring an entity within 'public authority' under the RTI Act.
  2. A body that fails the Article 12 'State' test can never be classified as a 'public authority' under the RTI Act.
  3. The Article 12 test is primarily relevant to the enforceability of fundamental rights, while the RTI 'public authority' test governs the obligation to disclose information.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3