BCCI pays INR 3,000 crore in annual income tax, says Devajit Saikia

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia disclosed on September 18, 2026, that India's cricket board pays approximately INR 3,000 crore annually in income tax to the central government. The figure was announced at the BCCI's 95th Annual General Meeting and drew applause from members present at the meeting.

The disclosure directly counters the widely held perception that the BCCI enjoys a tax exemption. Unlike several other sports bodies in India that receive government grants, the BCCI operates without any government funding. The Central Information Commission has ruled that the board is not a public authority under the RTI Act 2005 precisely because it receives no such funding.

The Supreme Court of India recently sought clarification from the BCCI regarding its tax status under the National Sports Governance Act.

"Regarding the Sports Act, our stand is very clear. There are a lot of things which have to be done by the concerned authority. Once those exercises are completed and once the BCCI comes under the Sports Act, a particular notification has to be issued to make it a designated sport. Till that time, we are not supposed to do anything. Whenever that notification comes, immediately we will spring into action. We will do our job as per the rules of the new Sports Act. So, as of today, there is nothing like what was discussed in the Supreme Court that day. We will give the clarification on October 27, when the matter will be listed next time," said Saikia as quoted by Cricbuzz.

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What did the BCCI AGM decide on umpire grading?

The 95th AGM also approved an enhanced payment structure for umpires and match referees, with a reclassification into four grades: A, B, C, and D. A promotion-and-relegation system will accompany this structure, with 10 umpires upgraded and 10 downgraded at the end of each season based on performance.

"At the end of every season, there will be a system like relegation and upgradation. Those who will be doing good — 10 umpires will be upgraded to the next level. Those umpires who are at the upper level, if they are not performing up to that level or their specific level, they will be downgraded. Ten umpires will go up, 10 umpires will go down. So, this will make them very alert throughout the season, and that will ultimately help the game of cricket, because some players' future depends on the decision of the umpire," said Saikia.

Is the Ranchi Test venue confirmed for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

The AGM also addressed speculation over the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia. Saikia confirmed there are no plans to shift the match from Ranchi, which is scheduled for February 19, 2027.

"When is the Ranchi Test? February (19). There are still six-seven months left. We will take a call (at the appropriate time). We do not have any such request or proposal that there is some issue regarding the Ranchi Test. There is no change in the venue. If anybody has to write to the BCCI about it, it should be me and I have not written it," said Saikia.

The five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series begins on January 21, 2027, in Nagpur, with subsequent matches in Chennai, Guwahati, and Ahmedabad before the Ranchi finale. Separately, the AGM initiated the process for BCCI centenary celebrations in 2028, with a year-long programme set to commence in December 2027.