Supreme Court questions BCCI’s exclusion from National Sports Governance Act

The Supreme Court of India has asked the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and all state cricket associations about their continued exclusion from the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. Under the law passed in 2025, a statutory framework has been established to recognise, govern, and oversee all national sports bodies in India.

However, the BCCI remains outside its ambit and continues to function as an autonomous private body with no funding from the government. With over a year since its implementation, the court has asked the BCCI to explain why the service terms and conditions of its office-bearers should not be brought under the Act.

Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana made the observation while hearing applications filed by several cricket bodies. The case has been before the top court since 2014, with several applications being filed in it from time to time.

The court is also examining whether the 2025 Act should apply to the cricket body. The BCCI has long maintained that since it does not receive government grants, it should not come under the Act. Moreover, as per the National Sports Governance Act, the sports bodies can also come under the ambit of the RTI Act, but the BCCI has long opposed that.

BCCI yet to comment on matter

The BCCI continues to be governed by the constitution approved and amended by the Supreme Court’s Lodha Committee headed by former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha. The committee also suggested reform measures for the richest cricket board in the world.

As per the changes in the BCCI constitution allowed by the Supreme Court in September 2022, an office-bearer could have a continuous tenure of 12 years, including six years in a state association and six years in the BCCI, before a three-year cooling-off period would apply. The BCCI is yet to comment on the matter, and it’s likely to be discussed at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for September 18.