The Gujarat Information Commission (GIC) has ruled that private universities set up under the Gujarat Private Universities Act, 2009, are subject to the Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005, as they fall under the category of "public authorities" as outlined in Section 2(h) of the RTI legislation.
The decision was delivered by State Chief Information Commissioner Dr Subhash Soni in response to an appeal submitted by Professor Devdutt Rana, who had filed an RTI application seeking details from Parul University in Vadodara.&nbsp;
Rana, who teaches at a college in Ahmedabad, had requested information concerning faculty recruitment and the financial aid received under government-funded SC-ST scholarship schemes. When the university declined to furnish the data, citing its private status and lack of government funding, Rana approached the commission.
In its order dated June 16, the GIC clarified that institutions founded through legislative acts are to be considered public authorities, even if they do not receive direct financial support from the state. The commission noted that Section 2(h) includes organisations established by the Constitution or by law, or those receiving substantial financial assistance from the government.
Citing the University Grants Commission&rsquo;s online records, the order confirmed that private universities are required to comply with the RTI Act. The GIC referenced UGC guidelines which state, &ldquo;All universities and colleges established by law made by Parliament or by a state legislature or by notification by the appropriate government...shall come within the meaning of a &lsquo;Public Authority&rsquo; under the RTI Act.&rdquo;
In support of its conclusion, the commission referred to a ruling by the Gujarat High Court in Special Civil Application No. 19282 of 2021 and a 2020 circular from the state Education Department, both of which reinforced the applicability of the RTI Act to such institutions.
Dr Soni directed the registrar of Parul University to initiate steps for compliance, including the appointment of Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities. The university was also ordered to upload these details on its website and provide information regarding its off-campus centres, one of the points raised in Rana&rsquo;s RTI query.
The commission further instructed the additional secretary of the state Education Department to issue comprehensive directions to ensure all private universities established under the 2009 Act implement the provisions of the RTI Act.
In its concluding remarks, the GIC stated, &ldquo;The Commission recommends to the State government to issue necessary orders for the implementation of the RTI Act by all the universities established under the Gujarat Private Universities Act, 2009.&rdquo;
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Parul University case prompts ruling on RTI compliance for Gujarat’s private institutions.

RTI Act Applies to Private Universities: GIC

Parul University case prompts ruling on RTI compliance for Gujarat’s private institutions.

June 26, 2025 | 19:16 IST