Why in News?
The Central Government has introduced the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to replace the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959 and provide a new legal framework for the Institute.
Importance
- The Bill will give the Indian Statistical Institute the status of a statutory body corporate instead of a registered society.
- It aims to improve the governance and functioning of the Institute.
- It will promote research and cooperation between academia, industry and the government.
- The Bill aims to develop ISI as a global centre of excellence in statistics and related fields.
Key Highlights
- The Bill will repeal the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959.
- ISI will become a not-for-profit statutory body corporate with its own legal identity.
- The President of India will be the Visitor of the Institute.
- A new Board of Governors (BoG) will be the main body for policy and administration.
- The Board will approve the budget, set up departments and centres, frame regulations and grant degrees.
- The Bill provides for an Academic Council, Finance Committee and Management Council for ISI centres.
- The Director will be appointed by the Board with the prior approval of the Visitor and will work as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
- The Central Government's prior approval will be needed only for the first set of regulations.
- The Bill removes the Central Government's power to take over the administration of the Institute for up to two years.
Concerns
- Replacing the existing 33-member Council with an 11-member Board may reduce faculty representation.
- The greater role of the President and Central Government in appointments and reviews has raised concerns about institutional autonomy.
- The Board of Governors will have the final decision-making power, which may reduce the role of the Academic Council.
- Greater focus on industry collaboration may affect the Institute's focus on fundamental research.
Static Facts
- The Indian Statistical Institute was founded by Professor P.C. Mahalanobis in Kolkata on 17 December 1931.
- It was given the status of an Institution of National Importance by an Act of Parliament in 1959.
