SDG 4: Quality Education | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Institutions: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the draft Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025 for public consultation, with feedback open until 24 October 2025. The Bill aims to reposition ISI as it approaches its centenary in 2031, aligning its governance framework with that of other Institutions of National Importance (INI).
Founded in 1931 and legislated under the ISI Act, 1959, the Institute currently has about 1,200 students across its centres and offers programmes in statistics, economics, mathematics, computer science, cryptology, and operations research. Successive review committees, most recently the Mashelkar Committee (2020), called for reforms to make ISI globally competitive. The draft Bill proposes a leaner and more empowered Board of Governance, greater autonomy in decision-making, and enhanced accountability measures.
Strengthening ISI is aligned with India’s vision of data-driven policymaking and its knowledge economy goals under Digital India and National Education Policy 2020, ensuring global competitiveness in statistical sciences and allied fields.
What is ISI? → The Indian Statistical Institute, founded in 1931 by P.C. Mahalanobis, is India’s premier institution for statistical research and education. Declared an Institution of National Importance in 1959, its work underpins policymaking, planning, and economic analysis in India.
What is an INI? → An Institution of National Importance (INI) is a status conferred by an Act of Parliament to select higher-education and research institutes in India. It grants them special funding, autonomy, and recognition, putting them on par with top national universities. Examples include IITs, AIIMS, and ISI.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
Could the proposed reforms enable ISI to emerge as a global benchmark for statistical sciences while strengthening India’s evidence-based policymaking capacity?
Follow the full news here: PIB Release | MoSPI Draft Bill