In a landmark decision, the Delhi High Court on 25 August 2025 quashed the Central Information Commission’s (CIC) 2016 order that had allowed an RTI activist to access Delhi University’s BA records from 1978, the year Prime Minister Narendra Modi graduated. The decision is a significant development in the Modi degree controversy, highlighting the delicate balance between transparency and privacy.
RTI Records Controversy
The controversy began when RTI activist Neeraj sought information on a DU register containing details of all students who appeared for the BA exams in 1978, including names, roll numbers, fathers’ names, and marks. The CIC had earlier directed Delhi University to allow inspection and provide certified extracts of these records. However, Delhi University challenged the order, arguing that the records contained sensitive personal information held in a fiduciary capacity and were therefore exempt from disclosure under the RTI Act.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing DU, emphasised that the RTI law ensures transparency in governance but is not meant to satisfy a third party’s curiosity. He also highlighted that complying with the CIC directive could have far-reaching consequences for universities across India, potentially affecting millions of student records.
CIC Order on PM Modi Degree Case
After considering the arguments, the Delhi HC quashed the CIC order on the PM Modi degree-related request, upholding the university’s stance. This decision of the court makes it clear that personal academic information of students cannot be disclosed indiscriminately, even under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. This sets an important precedent for handling similar RTI disclosure requests in the future, safeguarding student privacy while responsibly addressing public interest.
With this ruling, the CIC order on the PM Modi degree has been overturned, bringing closure to the Modi degree controversy and reaffirming the importance of balancing transparency, privacy, and legal safeguards. The Delhi HC verdict in the PM Modi degree row is expected to guide how universities and government bodies approach RTI disclosure matters going forward.
