The Delhi High Court has put an end to a politically sensitive controversy by quashing the Central Information Commission’s (CIC) order that had directed Delhi University to provide details of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bachelor of Arts degree from 1978. The court clarified that the university is not legally obligated to share individual academic records under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The bench noted that educational records, like other personal information, fall within the realm of privacy and cannot be disclosed without strong justification rooted in public interest. Referring to previous Supreme Court judgments, the High Court stressed that the right to information must be balanced with the right to privacy, which is recognized as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The case originated when an RTI applicant sought details about the Prime Minister’s degree, prompting the CIC to direct Delhi University to provide certified copies of the records. The university challenged the order, arguing that academic information of an individual, whether private citizen or public figure, is protected under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which exempts personal information from disclosure unless there is overriding public interest.
In its ruling, the Delhi High Court supported the university’s stand, observing that there was no demonstrable larger public interest in disclosing the Prime Minister’s degree records. The court held that even though the Prime Minister holds the highest elected office in the country, his academic qualifications do not automatically fall into the category of information that must be disclosed to the public domain.
The judgment further observed that the RTI Act is not meant to be used as a tool for political battles or to demand disclosure of personal records unrelated to governance or public welfare. The court stated that political debates must be addressed through democratic platforms and elections rather than through misuse of transparency laws.
The controversy over Prime Minister Modi’s degree has been a subject of political debate for years, with opposition parties questioning the authenticity of his educational qualifications. The CIC’s earlier direction had added fuel to the debate, but the High Court’s ruling is likely to settle the issue from a legal perspective.
Legal experts believe this verdict reaffirms the importance of balancing transparency with individual privacy. While public officials are accountable for their actions in governance, their personal records, including academic details, remain private unless disclosure serves a compelling public interest.
The ruling also highlights the judiciary’s consistent approach in protecting personal information against indiscriminate disclosure. Several past cases have reinforced that academic, medical, and financial details fall under the exemption clause in the RTI Act.
For Delhi University, the ruling provides legal clarity and ensures it is not compelled to release academic records of individuals, irrespective of their public stature. For the broader public, the decision underscores the principle that transparency in governance does not equate to unrestricted access to all aspects of a public figure’s personal life.
