The Central Information Commission (CIC) has raised concerns over Delhi University’s practice of not maintaining separate records of foreign students admitted through Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.
It has recommended that the university begin maintaining such records and make them publicly available to improve transparency.
The recommendation came while the Commission was hearing a Right to Information (RTI) appeal that sought details of foreign student admissions over the past five years, including how many admitted students held OCI cards and whether they had applied as foreign nationals or as Indian citizens using OCI benefits.
WHAT THE UNIVERSITY TOLD THE COMMISSION
During the hearing, Delhi University informed the CIC that it keeps overall data on foreign student admissions but does not separately record admissions made through OCI or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards.
The university explained that foreign applicants are admitted based on their foreign passports. As a result, it does not maintain separate records identifying students who also possess OCI or PIO cards.
The Commission accepted this explanation, noting that under the Right to Information Act, a public authority is only required to provide information that already exists in its records. It cannot be directed to create or compile fresh information that is not maintained.
The CIC also referred to a Delhi High Court judgement, which states that public authorities are not obligated to generate new information while responding to RTI applications.
WHY THE CIC STILL RAISED CONCERNS
Although the Commission agreed with the university’s legal position, Information Commissioner Sudha Rani Relangi observed that the absence of separate OCI admission records remains a matter of concern, particularly for international students.
The Commission said maintaining such information would serve the larger public interest by making admission-related data more transparent and easier to access.
Invoking Section 25(5) of the RTI Act, the CIC recommended that Delhi University start maintaining records of foreign students admitted through OCI cards and proactively disclose the information under Section 4 of the Act.
MORE TRANSPARENCY, FEWER RTIS
The Commission further said that publishing these details on the university’s official website would make admission data easily available to students, parents and researchers. It would also reduce the need for citizens to file RTI applications for basic admission-related information.
While the recommendation is advisory in nature, it highlights the growing emphasis on proactive disclosure by public institutions. If implemented, the move could improve transparency in Delhi University’s admission process and make information relating to international and OCI students more accessible to the public.
(With PTI inputs)
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