Transforming Statistical Governance: The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025
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Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) | Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) | National Statistical Commission (NSC)
The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025, represents a comprehensive legislative overhaul designed to modernize one of India’s premier academic institutions as it approaches its centenary in 2031. The Bill aims to repeal the 1959 Act to transform ISI from a registered society into a statutory body corporate, bringing its legal and administrative framework at par with peer Institutions of National Importance (INIs) like the IITs and IIMs.
Key pillars of the proposed transformation include:
Streamlined Governance: A compact, 11-member Board of Governors will replace the large, 33-member Council to eliminate “legacy issues” and decision-making bottlenecks identified by multiple Review Committees.
Decentralized Autonomy: ISI Centres (such as Delhi, Bengaluru, etc.) are granted statutory status and administrative/financial autonomy, operating through dedicated Management Councils.
Merit-Based Leadership: The Director will now be appointed autonomously by the Chairperson of the Board, shifting away from the previous internal election-heavy model to prioritize merit and accountability.
Sustainable Funding: While remaining a not-for-profit entity, ISI is now empowered to diversify revenue through consultancy, sponsored projects, intellectual property (IP), and start-ups.
Preserving Inclusivity: The Bill explicitly protects ISI’s unique model of free courses and student stipends, while adding new provisions for fellowships to support meritorious and underprivileged students.
Geographic Stability: The Bill formally confirms that the Institute’s headquarters will remain in Kolkata, while enabling the establishment of new campuses in India and abroad.
What is a Statutory Body Corporate? It refers to the legal transformation of ISI from a voluntary “society” into a permanent entity created by an Act of Parliament. This status grants the Institute a distinct legal personality, allowing it to hold property and enter contracts in its own name. Crucially, it replaces a governance model where a 1,000-member General Body could block essential reforms with a professionalized Board structure that ensures long-term institutional growth.
Policy Relevance
The 2025 Bill is a strategic intervention to resolve “institutional inefficiencies” and “resistance to reform” that have persisted for over fifty years. By empowering the Board and Academic Council with mandatory powers over curriculum and evaluation, the government is ensuring that ISI remains a globally competitive center for statistical research.
The transition is particularly significant for India’s digital and data-driven governance; as ISI moves toward its ISI@100 Vision, this legislative framework provides the “recognition-ready” structure needed to foster interdisciplinary research and international collaboration without compromising the Institute’s core mission of equitable and accessible education.
Follow the full news here: Revised Draft of ‘The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2025’