What is the common examiner trap about Polity in UPSC exams?

Examiners may ask: 'Which section of RTI Act defines public authority?' Options may include Section 2(f) (information), Section 2(j) (right to information), Section 8 (exemptions). Remember, Section 2(h) is the correct one. Also, they may confuse 'substantially financed' with 'partially financed' or 'fully owned by government'.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Polity for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 7.5 acres land granted free of cost in 1913 to Century Club 2. Target this Nodal Body: Karnataka High Court (Division Bench of Justice Anu Sivaraman and Justice Venkatesh Naik T) 3. Target this Legal Point: Section 2(h) of RTI Act, 2005 - definition of 'public authority' including NGOs substantially financed by government

PolityGovernance

Take AI Challenge ▸

News 17 of 23

Karnataka HC Upholds Century Club as Public Authority Under RTI Act for Free Govt Land Use

Q: Which section of the Right to Information Act, 2005 defines the term 'public authority'?

Section 2(h), Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005 defines 'public authority' to include bodies established by Constitution, by law, by government notification, or any non-government organisation substantially financed by the appropriate government. Section 2(f) defines 'information', Section 2(j) defines 'right to information', and Section 8 provides exemptions from disclosure.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Karnataka High Court judgment on Century Club: 1. The court held that the free grant of 7.5 acres of land by the Maharaja of Mysuru constitutes substantial indirect financing by the government. 2. The club was declared a public authority under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act. 3. The court recognised the pre-independence land grant as an Act of the State rather than a private transaction. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct - the court held that free land grant amounts to substantial indirect financing. Statement 2 is incorrect - the club was declared a public authority under Section 2(h), not Section 2(f). Statement 3 is correct - the court stated that the grant by the Maharaja is recognised as an Act of the State. Hence option C is correct.

Q: How many acres of land was granted to Century Club by the Maharaja of Mysuru in 1913?

7.5 acres, The article clearly states that Century Club was granted 7.5 acres of land by the then Maharaja of Mysuru in 1913. The other options are close distractors but only 7.5 acres is the correct figure mentioned in the judgment.

Q: What is the primary implication of the Karnataka High Court's ruling on Century Club?

The club becomes subject to public scrutiny under the RTI Act as a public authority, The core ruling is that Century Club is a 'public authority' under the RTI Act, making it obliged to provide information to citizens. The court did not order vacating land or invalidating pre-independence grants. The judgment focuses on transparency and accountability, not on ownership or eviction.

PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

11 Jul 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:7.5 acres1913Section 2(h) RTI Act2017 SIC order2025 single judge order

Bodies:Karnataka High CourtState Information Commission (Karnataka)Century Club

Practice MCQs from today's news ▸

~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Karnataka HC upheld SIC order declaring Century Club a 'public authority' under RTI Act.

2.Club was granted 7.5 acres of prime land in 1913 by Maharaja of Mysuru free of cost, constituting substantial indirect government financing.

3.Judgment clarifies that non-government organisations substantially financed by government funds fall under Section 2(h) of RTI Act.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Karnataka HC ruled that Century Club, a private members' club on 7.5 acres of free government land, is a 'public authority' under RTI Act. This landmark judgment expands the definition of public authority to entities receiving substantial indirect government financing, making them subject to public scrutiny.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

CourtKarnataka High Court

JudgesJustice Anu Sivaraman & Justice Venkatesh Naik T

Land Area7.5 acres

Year of Land Grant1913

GrantorMaharaja of Mysuru (Narasimha Raja Wodeyar)

Original SIC Order Year2017

Single Judge Order Year2025

RTI Section UsedSection 2(h)

1-Minute Revision

›Court: Karnataka High Court
›Judges: Justice Anu Sivaraman & Justice Venkatesh Naik T
›Target this Data: 7.5 acres land granted free of cost in 1913 to Century Club
›Target this Nodal Body: Karnataka High Court (Division Bench of Justice Anu Sivaraman and Justice Venkatesh Naik T)
›Target this Legal Point: Section 2(h) of RTI Act, 2005 - definition of 'public authority' including NGOs substantially financed by government

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

News Snapshot

⚖️

Landmark RTI Ruling

HC ruled private club on free govt land is a 'public authority' under RTI Act, expanding scope of public scrutiny.

🏛️

Substantial Indirect Financing

Court held that free grant of 7.5 acres prime land (worth hundreds of crores) amounts to substantial indirect government financing.

📜

Pre-Independence Grant Valid as State Act

Land grant by Maharaja in 1913 recognised as sovereign act, not private transaction, thus binding on state.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Century Club, a private members' club in Bengaluru, was founded by Maharaja Narasimha Raja Wodeyar and Sir M Visveswaraya in 1913. The club was granted 7.5 acres of land in Cubbon Park free of cost. In 2017, the State Information Commission (SIC) declared it a 'public authority' under RTI Act after it denied an RTI application filed by Advocate S Umpathy. The club challenged this, leading to the 2025 single judge order, which was upheld by the division bench in 2026.

Core Analysis & Implications

The court's reasoning is based on Section 2(h) of the RTI Act which includes 'non-government organisations substantially financed by the appropriate Government'. The bench held that free land in prime location constitutes substantial indirect financing. The court rejected the club's argument that it was a private body not performing public functions. The judgment reinforces that entities enjoying state resources cannot escape public accountability, setting a precedent for similar clubs and institutions across India.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

This ruling may trigger similar RTI applications against other private clubs or institutions occupying government land at concessional rates. The SIC and courts will likely see increased litigation on what constitutes 'substantial financing'. The judgment also clarifies that pre-independence grants by rulers are state acts, not private transactions. This could affect property disputes involving erstwhile princely states.

Key Facts at a Glance

CourtKarnataka High Court

JudgesJustice Anu Sivaraman & Justice Venkatesh Naik T

Land Area7.5 acres

Year of Land Grant1913

GrantorMaharaja of Mysuru (Narasimha Raja Wodeyar)

Original SIC Order Year2017

Single Judge Order Year2025

RTI Section UsedSection 2(h)

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC, Banking

Which section of the Right to Information Act, 2005 defines the term 'public authority'?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Karnataka High Court judgment on Century Club:

1. The court held that the free grant of 7.5 acres of land by the Maharaja of Mysuru constitutes substantial indirect financing by the government.

2. The club was declared a public authority under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act.

3. The court recognised the pre-independence land grant as an Act of the State rather than a private transaction.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasyUPSC, SSC, Banking

How many acres of land was granted to Century Club by the Maharaja of Mysuru in 1913?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

What is the primary implication of the Karnataka High Court's ruling on Century Club?

All 15 MCQs ▸

Read original article from Indian Express

You finished this topic

Practice 3 MCQs from this news Next Article

Explore Related Topics

PolityView Topic MCQs →

PreviousIndia-New Zealand Strategic Partnership 2030: Bilateral Trade Target NZ$7 Billion, FTA Signed Next Standard KAVACH Train Collision Avoidance System Commissioned on 149.476-km Solapur–Wadi Section of Central Railway

Related Current Affairs

Polity Current Affairs

Karnataka HC Quashes KPSC Chairperson Suspension; Governor's Independent Action Invalid Under Article 317(1)

Karnataka High Court reinstates KPSC Chairperson Sahukar, ruling that the Governor's suspension order was invalid because it was passed without the aid and advice of the State Cabinet. This reaffirms the constitutional principle that the Governor is bound by Cabinet advice, even in matters concerning removal of SPSC members under Article 317(1). Important for understanding Governor's discretionary powers and the role of the Supreme Court in such inquiries.

Polity Current Affairs

Governor Suspends KPSC Chairman Under Article 317(2) for Second Time Amid Recruitment Scam

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has suspended KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar for the second time, this time with Cabinet approval, under Article 317(2) of the Constitution. The suspension follows a High Court order quashing the Governor's earlier unilateral suspension, and comes amid ED raids related to bribery in veterinary officer recruitments. This case highlights the constitutional balance between Governor's powers and Cabinet aid and advice.

Environment Current Affairs

Karnataka High Court Quashes Housing Board Land Acquisition in Bannerghatta ESZ, Upholds Elephant Corridor Protection

The Karnataka High Court quashed land acquisition for a housing project in the Bannerghatta National Park Eco-Sensitive Zone, ruling that elephant corridors are essential habitat, not mere passages, and cannot be displaced for development. This judgment reinforces the legal protection of wildlife corridors and eco-sensitive zones in land acquisition cases, a crucial topic for environment and governance.

Polity Current Affairs

Karnataka HC to Hear Governor's Appeal on Suspension of KPSC Chairperson: Article 317(2) Powers in Question

The Karnataka High Court is examining a constitutional dispute: Can the Governor suspend a KPSC chairperson without the Cabinet's advice? A single judge said no, but the Governor's appeal argues that subsequent Cabinet approval can validate the action under the doctrine of ratification. This case tests the limits of Article 317(2) and the Governor's discretionary powers.

Polity Current Affairs

KPSC Scam: Chairman Sahukar’s 7-Year Tenure, Irregular Appointments & Political Shield Exposed

This investigation into the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) reveals how Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar, appointed in 2019 despite red flags, ran the commission for seven years with alleged irregularities including leaked papers, patronage appointments, and political shielding by both BJP and Congress governments. The case exposes systemic weaknesses in PSC appointments and the lack of accountability for constitutional body heads.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Upholds HC: Kodagu Homestay Owner's Arrest Illegal, Rs 5 Lakh Compensation Despite US Embassy Pressure

The Supreme Court has upheld the Karnataka High Court ruling that the arrest of a Kodagu homestay owner in an alleged sexual assault case was illegal, rejecting the state's appeal. The judgment reinforces that arrest is not a 'ritualistic exercise' and that fundamental rights cannot be bartered away under pressure from foreign embassies. It also makes the state liable for Rs 5 lakh compensation.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Upholds Telangana MLA Danam Nagender Disqualification Under Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule)

Supreme Court upheld the disqualification of Telangana MLA Danam Nagender for defecting from BRS to Congress. The court rejected the 'ghar wapsi' argument, reinforcing that voluntarily giving up party membership under the Tenth Schedule cannot be condoned by claiming regret. This judgment reaffirms judicial review over Speaker's decisions in anti-defection cases.

Polity Current Affairs

Madras HC Upholds Speaker's Decision to Drop Disqualification of 21 AIADMK MLAs Under Tenth Schedule

Madras High Court dismissed a PIL challenging the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker's decision to drop disqualification proceedings against 21 AIADMK MLAs who had defied the party whip and voted for the TVK government. The Court ruled that a political party can condone its members' voting against the whip within 15 days, even if the initial complaint sought disqualification under both paragraphs of the Tenth Schedule.

Start Today's Quiz(15 Qs)

Take Today's Quiz

15 Qs • 5-7 Mins

Karnataka HC Upholds Century Club as Public Authority Under RTI Act for Free Govt Land Use

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Landmark RTI Ruling

Substantial Indirect Financing

Pre-Independence Grant Valid as State Act

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance