Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)

Source: IE

Subject: Economy

Context: The draft Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025 has triggered strong protests by students, faculty, and staff at ISI Kolkata over proposed changes to the institute’s governance structure and autonomy.

About Indian Statistical Institute (ISI):

What it is?

• A premier national institution for research, education, and applied work in statistics, mathematics, computer science, quantitative economics, and related fields; recognised as an Institution of National Importance.

Established in: Founded in 1931 by eminent statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis; declared an Institution of National Importance through an Act of Parliament in 1959.

Headquarters: Kolkata, with centres in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Tezpur.

• To advance statistical research, provide academic training, support national planning through data-driven approaches, and apply statistical science across sectors such as agriculture, economics, demography, and public policy.

Current System Governance:

• Registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act.

• Highest body: 33-member Council with elected members, government representatives, UGC nominee, and senior academic leaders.

• Director appointed by the Council and ISI has substantial autonomy in academics, appointments, and administration.

• Publishes the renowned journal Sankhyā and offers degree programs in statistics and related sciences.

Features of Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2025:

• Converts ISI into a Statutory Body Corporate: Replaces the 1959 Act and transforms ISI from a registered society into a statutory body, similar to IITs/IIMs.

• Governance Shift to a New Board of Governance (BoG)

• President of India becomes the Visitor. BoG chaired by a Visitor-nominated chairperson based on Centre’s recommendation. Majority representation from the Union government and its nominees. Powers to make regulations, grant degrees, oversee administration, and control appointments.

• President of India becomes the Visitor.

• BoG chaired by a Visitor-nominated chairperson based on Centre’s recommendation.

• Majority representation from the Union government and its nominees.

• Powers to make regulations, grant degrees, oversee administration, and control appointments.

• New Academic Council Structure:

• Led by the Director, comprising division and centre heads. Acts as an advisory body making academic recommendations to the BoG.

• Led by the Director, comprising division and centre heads.

• Acts as an advisory body making academic recommendations to the BoG.

• Director Appointment Under Central Oversight:

• Search-cum-selection committee constituted by the Union government. Director appointed by the BoG chairperson. Visitor empowered to remove Director and order inquiries and reviews.

• Search-cum-selection committee constituted by the Union government.

• Director appointed by the BoG chairperson.

• Visitor empowered to remove Director and order inquiries and reviews.

• Replaces the ISI Act, 1959: The new Bill supersedes the earlier Act that conferred ISI’s national importance status.