The Central Information Commission directed the Indian Institute of Technology Madras to disclose how it used grant-in-aid funds over three financial years [1].
This directive reinforces the transparency requirements for premier public educational institutions in India. It ensures that government grants intended for research and development are tracked through formal utilization certificates and project-specific accounting.
The order follows a Right to Information (RTI) petition filed by Ananya Dubey [1]. Dubey sought specific details regarding the grant-in-aid funds received by the institution and the subsequent application of those resources [1].
The commission ruled that the institute must provide project-wise details and the corresponding utilization certificates [1]. These documents are essential for verifying that public money was spent according to the mandates of the granting agencies.
According to the commission, the disclosure must cover the previous three financial years [1]. The mandate specifically includes the 2023-24 period to ensure a comprehensive overview of the institute's financial management [1].
IIT Madras is now required to release these records to the petitioner. The commission said the public's right to know outweighs the institute's preference for internal confidentiality regarding grant expenditures [1].
“The Central Information Commission directed the Indian Institute of Technology Madras to disclose how it used grant-in-aid funds.”
This ruling underscores the legal weight of the Right to Information Act in holding autonomous public institutions accountable. By requiring project-wise utilization certificates, the CIC is setting a precedent that financial autonomy for research institutes does not exempt them from public audit and transparency standards.
