The Hindu: Published on 8th December 2025.
Why in News?
On September 25, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the draft Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025.
The Bill proposes to repeal the ISI Act, 1959 and convert ISI from a registered society into a statutory body corporate.
This has triggered strong protests from ISI students, faculty, alumni, and many academicians across India who claim it threatens academic autonomy.
Background of the Issue:
ISI was founded in 1931 by P.C. Mahalanobis, a key figure of India's statistical planning and the National Sample Survey (NSS).
It is recognized as an Institution of National Importance (INI) under the ISI Act, 1959.
Its present structure is that of a registered society with:
its own memorandum,
bye-laws, and
a council with strong academic representation.
ISI is one of India’s top research institutions with 6 centres and about 1,200 students.
What the Draft ISI Bill, 2025 Proposes:
Repeals the ISI Act, 1959.
Changes ISI from a registered society → statutory corporate body.
Establishes a powerful Board of Governors (BoG) with majority government nominees.
Expands revenue-generation avenues:
higher fees
consultancy
funded research
endowments
Centralizes control of appointments, finances, and governance under the BoG.
Why are Students and Academicians Protesting?
(A) Threat to Academic Autonomy
Governing authority shifts from an academic council (with elected faculty members)
→ to a government-controlled Board of Governors.
Earlier: 10 ISI representatives out of 33 were part of the council.
New Bill: Zero representatives from ISI in the BoG.
Fear: Decision-making will shift from academics to bureaucrats.
(B) Violation of Federal and Legal Spirit
Critics argue the Centre is bypassing the West Bengal Societies Registration Act by abolishing the society structure.
Said to violate cooperative federalism, because ISI was originally registered under a State law.
(C) Danger of Political Interference
All senior appointments (Director, faculty hiring, key administrative roles) could be influenced by the Union Government.
Fear: Merit and academic freedom will be compromised.
(D) Push Toward a Corporate Funding Model
Section 29 encourages ISI to raise revenue through:
higher student fees,
consultancy,
sponsored projects.
Concern: Basic, long-term research in statistics, mathematics, and sciences may suffer since it does not generate quick revenue.
(E) Lack of Transparency
Academicians say MoSPI has given no clear reason to repeal the 1959 Act.
A letter signed by 1,500 academicians calls the move "unnecessary and harmful".
Key Concerns Over the Draft Bill (Summary):
Loss of autonomy → Government-dominated board.
Centralised appointments → Risk of political influence.
Corporate funding model → Basic research may decline.
Bypassing society structure → Legal and federalism concerns.
Lack of faculty representation → No academic voices in governance.
Financial dependence → ISI may become dependent on consultancy earnings, reducing academic neutrality.
Government’s Stand:
MoSPI and the Union Government argue:
The Bill aims to modernise and strengthen ISI, making it “world-leading” before its centenary in 2031.
Reforms are based on findings of four review committees, especially the Mashelkar Committee (2020).
Claims that a statutory corporate structure will:
improve governance,
expand academic programmes,
enhance global competitiveness.
The government denies that autonomy is being reduced.
How the Bill Affects ISI’s Revenue Mechanisms:
Current system:
Funding mainly from the government with some projects and endowments.
Fees are relatively low.
Emphasis is on basic research, not revenue generation.
Proposed system (Section 29):
ISI can raise money through:
student fees,
consultancy,
collaborative research,
commercialization,
donations.
Critics fear this will:
introduce market pressure,
increase fees,
reduce focus on fundamental sciences,
make ISI behave like a corporate entity, not a research institute.
Stakeholders Involved:
ISI students and researchers
Faculty, retired faculty, and alumni
MoSPI and the Union Government
Opposition political parties
Statistical and academic community
Review committees (like Mashelkar Committee)
Political Dimension:
Opposition parties such as TMC, CPI(M), and MPs like D. Ravikumar have opposed the Bill.
They say it is another example of “centralisation” and “control over institutions”.
What Lies Ahead?
Protests are strengthening and likely to continue.
Opposition parties have promised to block the Bill in Parliament.
Government may hold consultations—but it is unclear whether major changes will be made.
ISI’s future governance model will depend entirely on parliamentary debate and whether the Bill is passed in its current form or amended.
A compromise model might emerge with:
