Which public authorities does CIC have jurisdiction over?

Which public authorities does CIC have jurisdiction over?

Direct answer: CIC covers all Central Government public authorities — ministries, departments, central PSUs, central universities, and bodies funded or controlled by the Central Government. It has no jurisdiction over state government bodies. Those are handled by the respective State Information Commission (SIC).

Filing a second appeal or complaint at the wrong commission is a common mistake that delays resolution by months. The Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions are separate bodies with separate jurisdictions. Filing at CIC for a state matter means your case will be returned and you may miss the 90-day window.

What the official portal says

“All Indian government public authorities established, controlled, and substantially financed by Central Government or Union territories, including ministries and PSUs.” — CIC FAQ Q30
“No jurisdiction exists over State Information Commissions or their orders.” — CIC FAQ Q40

Central Government public authorities

These fall under CIC jurisdiction:

All Central Ministries and Departments (MHA, Finance, Railways, etc.)
Central Government-controlled PSUs (Coal India, BSNL, SAIL, Indian Oil, etc.)
Central Universities (IITs, IIMs, DU, JNU, IGNOU, etc.)
Statutory bodies under Central law (SEBI, RBI, TRAI, IRDAI, etc.)
Union Territory bodies (Delhi Government partially, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, etc.)
Bodies substantially financed by Central Government

State Government public authorities

These fall under the relevant SIC:

State Ministries, Departments, and Secretariats
State PSUs (State Electricity Boards, State Roadways, etc.)
Municipal Corporations, Gram Panchayats, Nagar Palikas
State Universities, Government Schools and Colleges
State Police, State PWD, Revenue Departments

Special cases

Delhi Government is split: Union Territory bodies under CIC, Delhi Government departments under Delhi SIC (when operational). Central Government employees' service matters under DOPT go to CIC; state employees go to the relevant SIC.

Armed Forces come under CIC but with significant exemptions under the Second Schedule of the RTI Act.

What to do — step by step

Identify the public authority's government: check if the letterhead says “Government of India” (Central) or “[State] Government” (State).
If Central: second appeals and complaints go to CIC (cic.gov.in).
If State: find your State Information Commission. Most states have websites; search “[State] State Information Commission RTI.”
If unsure: check whether the RTI fee receipt or the CPIO appointment letter has “Government of India” — this is usually definitive.

FAQ

Can CIC hear appeals against a State Information Commission order?

No. CIC has no supervisory jurisdiction over SICs. Each SIC is independent. Challenges to SIC orders go to the respective State High Court.

An NIT or IIT refused my RTI. Is that Central or State?

National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and IITs are Central Government institutions funded by MHRD (now MoE). Appeals go to CIC.

My RTI was about a private company that received a Central Government grant. Does CIC have jurisdiction?

Only if the company is “substantially financed” by Central Government, which courts have interpreted as more than 50% of its funding being from the government. One-time grants typically do not make a company a “public authority.”

What if the CPIO disputes CIC's jurisdiction?

The CPIO can raise a jurisdictional objection before CIC. CIC will decide. If you believe CIC has jurisdiction, argue your case with documentation. CIC's decision on its own jurisdiction can be challenged in High Court.

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