Congress slams Delhi High Court's decision to keep PM Modi's degree details secret.

The Delhi High Court has quashed a Central Information Commission order to disclose Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bachelor's degree, ruling it personal information with no implicit public interest. The Congress calls this decision incomprehensible, citing that educational degree details of graduates have always been public. The ruling has been criticized by the opposition party, which had opposed amendments to the RTI Act in 2019.

The Delhi High Court has overturned a Central Information Commission (CIC) order that mandated the disclosure of information related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bachelor's degree. The court ruled that the information constitutes personal data and is not in the public interest, thus quashing the CIC's directive [1].

The CIC had initially ordered Delhi University (DU) to allow inspection of its 1978 BA records following an RTI application by activist Neeraj. The order was challenged by DU, which argued that the information was personal and held in a fiduciary capacity, exempt from disclosure under the RTI Act [1].

Justice Sachin Datta delivered the verdict on Monday, August 25, 2025, stating that the RTI Act was enacted to promote transparency in government functioning and not to provide fodder for sensationalism. He ruled that educational qualifications are not a statutory requirement for holding public office, and thus, the information sought was not in the public interest [2].

The court emphasized that merely being a public figure does not extinguish privacy or confidentiality rights over personal data unconnected with public duties. The ruling noted that the RTI Act does not permit the disclosure of marks and grades to any third party, as it would breach the duty of trust and confidentiality owed to students [2].

The Congress party has criticized the decision, stating that educational degree details of graduates have always been public. The opposition party had previously opposed amendments to the RTI Act in 2019 [1].

This ruling sets a precedent for the disclosure of personal information under the RTI Act, emphasizing the importance of privacy and confidentiality in academic records.

References:
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-degree-delhi-high-court-quashes-cic-2016-order-august-25-2025/article69974709.ece
[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/delhi-hc-sets-aside-cic-order-to-disclose-pm-modis-degree-details-says-personal-info/articleshow/123500279.cms