India spends more on cricket than on science. This stark reality is raising serious questions about national priorities. Virendra Grover, a career coach, points out that the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) massive revenues alone could fund ten new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), if the money was taxed and redirected toward research.
Grover cites IISc professor’s message: “India doesn’t lack money. Indians don’t lack money. What we lack is the vision to invest in the future.” This insight hits the core of a growing debate. The professor adds, “Entertainment is subsidised. Research is taxed,” highlighting the sharp contrast in how India treats its sports and science sectors.
The IPL’s massive revenue: A missed opportunity for science
In 2023, the IPL earned ₹11,770 crore, with the BCCI posting a ₹5,120 crore surplus. Over the past three years, profits topped ₹15,000 crore. Yet, the BCCI pays no income tax, thanks to its status as a charitable organisation.
“If a simple 40% tax applied just on BCCI’s IPL profits, nearly ₹15,000 crore could have been raised over three years—enough to fund 10 new IITs or a national deep-tech innovation corpus,” Grover wrote on LinkedIn. “Add franchise profits (₹800 to ₹1,200 crore/year), and another ₹320 to ₹480 crore could be collected annually. In total, nearly ₹6,000 crore per year could be redirected into research, just from the IPL ecosystem.”
A deeper look at India’s science funding
India’s research and development spending stands at a mere 0.6–0.7% of GDP. Compare this to the global average of 2.6%, the US at 3.5%, China at 2.4%, and South Korea at 5%. Half of India’s R&D budget comes from the government. Private investment remains limited.
Meanwhile, research labs face additional costs. They pay GST on imported equipment, consumables, and software licenses—expenses that make innovation harder. Grover questions the fairness: “Why are match tickets tax-free while scientific tools are not? Why do institutions aiming to push India forward struggle for funds?”
More than just cricket: A wider pattern of tax breaks
The professor highlighted that it’s not only the IPL that enjoys tax exemptions and subsidies. “Bollywood productions enjoy tax breaks and state subsidies. Religious trusts command vast commercial empires while enjoying full tax exemptions. New sports leagues are given startup tax holidays. If even a fraction of these sectors were taxed modestly, thousands of crores could fund India’s scientific foundations.”
Why does the BCCI pay no Income Tax?
The BCCI’s tax exemption comes from its registration as a charitable organisation whose goal is to promote cricket. But this status faces scrutiny. With IPL’s explosive commercial growth, questions arise about whether the BCCI should still be tax-exempt.
The Income Tax Department argued that BCCI’s fundamental objectives changed with the commercialisation of IPL. However, in February, the Bombay High Court quashed this advisory, keeping BCCI’s tax exemption intact for now.
Virendra Grover stresses he is not against sports or entertainment but calls for balance. “These funds could also support income-building for the poor,” he says. His message to those concerned with inequality is clear: “Don’t question the top 1%. Help others rise.”
As India cheers its cricket stars, Grover urge the country to invest equally in what powers its future—science, research, and education. Redirecting a portion of the IPL’s untaxed profits could be a game-changer.
Grover cites IISc professor’s message: “India doesn’t lack money. Indians don’t lack money. What we lack is the vision to invest in the future.” This insight hits the core of a growing debate. The professor adds, “Entertainment is subsidised. Research is taxed,” highlighting the sharp contrast in how India treats its sports and science sectors.
The IPL’s massive revenue: A missed opportunity for science
In 2023, the IPL earned ₹11,770 crore, with the BCCI posting a ₹5,120 crore surplus. Over the past three years, profits topped ₹15,000 crore. Yet, the BCCI pays no income tax, thanks to its status as a charitable organisation.
“If a simple 40% tax applied just on BCCI’s IPL profits, nearly ₹15,000 crore could have been raised over three years—enough to fund 10 new IITs or a national deep-tech innovation corpus,” Grover wrote on LinkedIn. “Add franchise profits (₹800 to ₹1,200 crore/year), and another ₹320 to ₹480 crore could be collected annually. In total, nearly ₹6,000 crore per year could be redirected into research, just from the IPL ecosystem.”
A deeper look at India’s science funding
India’s research and development spending stands at a mere 0.6–0.7% of GDP. Compare this to the global average of 2.6%, the US at 3.5%, China at 2.4%, and South Korea at 5%. Half of India’s R&D budget comes from the government. Private investment remains limited.
Meanwhile, research labs face additional costs. They pay GST on imported equipment, consumables, and software licenses—expenses that make innovation harder. Grover questions the fairness: “Why are match tickets tax-free while scientific tools are not? Why do institutions aiming to push India forward struggle for funds?”
More than just cricket: A wider pattern of tax breaks
The professor highlighted that it’s not only the IPL that enjoys tax exemptions and subsidies. “Bollywood productions enjoy tax breaks and state subsidies. Religious trusts command vast commercial empires while enjoying full tax exemptions. New sports leagues are given startup tax holidays. If even a fraction of these sectors were taxed modestly, thousands of crores could fund India’s scientific foundations.”
Why does the BCCI pay no Income Tax?
The BCCI’s tax exemption comes from its registration as a charitable organisation whose goal is to promote cricket. But this status faces scrutiny. With IPL’s explosive commercial growth, questions arise about whether the BCCI should still be tax-exempt.
The Income Tax Department argued that BCCI’s fundamental objectives changed with the commercialisation of IPL. However, in February, the Bombay High Court quashed this advisory, keeping BCCI’s tax exemption intact for now.
Virendra Grover stresses he is not against sports or entertainment but calls for balance. “These funds could also support income-building for the poor,” he says. His message to those concerned with inequality is clear: “Don’t question the top 1%. Help others rise.”
As India cheers its cricket stars, Grover urge the country to invest equally in what powers its future—science, research, and education. Redirecting a portion of the IPL’s untaxed profits could be a game-changer.
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Perishers - 21st June 2025
