Mumbai: The Central Information Commission (CIC) in a noteworthy decision has stated that deemed universities will have to come under the realm of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The decision by CIC will lead to transparency in management of the universities.

This will include their accounting books to the faculty members they hire, the process in which they admit students to the fees being charged by them, everything will then be under the public scrutiny.

According to the academics, this decision will lead to a sense of relief and will also bring in the much-needed transparency in the working style of deemed universities.

The CIC has come up with the judgment due to the case of Shaily Bhashnajla, a faculty of Delhi's Western International University (WIU), who wanted information on the recruitment and promotion rules.

However, WIU refused to divulge the information, stating that it is a deemed university and not a public authority.

After the matter reached the CIC, Information Commissioner, Shailesh Gandhi felt that, "As per the notification in the official gazette of the central government the deemed universities are declared to be so."

And if this is the case, then a deemed university may also come inside the definition of 'public authority'.