Relevance: GS-2 (Governance, Education, Statutory Bodies)
Source: The Hindu; Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Draft Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025. The Bill has triggered strong protests from ISI faculty, students and alumni who argue that it threatens the institute’s academic autonomy by converting it from a “registered society” to a statutory body corporate with greater government control.

The government, however, says the intention is to make ISI “one of the best institutes in the world” as it approaches its centenary in 2031.

About the ISI: Importance and Historical Significance

• Founded in 1931 by P.C. Mahalanobis, ISI is one of India’s most prestigious research institutions in Statistics, Economics, Computer Science, Quantitative Modelling and Operations Research.
  
• It was registered originally under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and later recognised as an Institution of National Importance (1959 Act).
  
• ISI played a foundational role in building India’s statistical architecture—National Sample Survey, Central Statistical Office—and produced globally renowned scholars such as C.R. Rao and S.R.S. Varadhan.
  
• The institute currently has ~1,200 students across six campuses, offering undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes.
  

Why ISI matters : It anchors India’s official statistics, contributes to evidence-based policymaking, and supports planning, economic modelling and survey methodology.

The Bill and the Protests: Contentious Issues

1. Change of Legal Status

• The draft Bill converts ISI from a registered society to a statutory corporate body.
  
• Academics fear this undermines its autonomy, as societies enjoy greater independence under their own bylaws.
  

2. Governance Structure

• The proposed Board of Governors (BoG) will have a majority of members nominated by the Union Government.
  
• Earlier, ISI had 8 elected academic representatives, maintaining academic control. Under the Bill, academics will form less than one-third.
  

3. Appointment Powers

• All appointments—including director, faculty and researchers—will be controlled through the BoG.
  
• Academics fear political interference, weakening merit-based selection.
  

4. “Power to Generate Revenue” Clause

• The Bill allows ISI to charge fees, consultancy services and sponsored projects to raise funds.
  
• Critics say this could shift ISI away from public-interest research and towards corporate-driven priorities.
  

5. Violation of Original Agreement

• The existing governance agreement between the Government and ISI (1959 Act) ensured shared control.
  
• Protesters argue the new Bill disturbs cooperative federalism and the autonomy of a national research institution.

The Government’s Position

• MoSPI argues the Bill modernises ISI’s functioning, widens academic programmes, strengthens governance and prepares it for global competitiveness.
  
• It cites multiple review committees, including the 2020 Mashelkar Committee, which recommended structural reforms.

Way Ahead

• Ensure a balanced governance model where academic representatives have meaningful authority.
  
• Maintain transparent appointment processes, shielding ISI from political influence.
  
• Strengthen funding for independent, long-term research without pushing excessive revenue dependence.
  
• Conduct wider consultations with academic bodies, alumni, statisticians, and State governments.
  
• Follow principles of autonomy, accountability and academic freedom, which are essential for world-class research.

Reforming ISI requires strengthening governance without compromising the autonomy that built its global reputation.

Q. “Discuss the key concerns surrounding the Draft Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2025, and suggest measures to balance institutional autonomy with accountability.”