Response

In order ensure transparency in the functioning of private educational institutions, the government has decided to bring all private colleges, senior secondary and high schools under the Right to Information Act, 2005 with immediate effect. However, the Act will not cover medical and nursing colleges and schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education and The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education.

All private colleges and schools, whether aided or unaided, now come covered under the Right to Information Act, 2005 and they have been directed to appoint public information officers (PIOs) and appellate authorities as provided under the Act. An order passed in 2016 under which the Chief Information Commissioner directed Director of Higher Education to notify PIOs in all private recognised colleges and high and senior secondary schools to facilitate the people to seek information under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

However, it was held in the case of Khanapuram Gandaiah v. Administrative Officer & Ors where the apex court stated that as per Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005 only that information relating to the private entity could be attained which can be accessed by the Public Authority under any other law. Hence, you can file an application of RTI against a private college.

Reference: Right to Information Act, 2005 and Khanapuram Gandaiah v. Administrative Officer & Ors

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