Why in the News
The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2026 seeks to restructure the governance of the Indian Statistical Institute by converting it from a registered society into a government controlled statutory body corporate. The proposal has sparked concerns over institutional autonomy.
What is the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)?
- Founded: Established in 1931 by Prasanta Chandra (P.C.) Mahalanobis.
- Premier institution: A leading centre for statistics, mathematics, data science, computer science, quantitative economics and related research.
- Institution of National Importance: Declared under the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959.
- Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
- Current governance: Functions as a registered society managed by a representative Governing Council.
What does the Bill propose?
- Repeals the 1959 Act: Introduces the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026.
- Body corporate: Converts ISI from a society into a statutory body corporate with perpetual succession.
- New governance structure: Replaces the Governing Council with an 11 member Board of Governors.
- Greater government role: The Board will have a majority of government nominated members, increasing the Centre’s role in administration.
Why are faculty members concerned?
- Reduced academic autonomy: Faculty argue that greater government control may affect academic freedom and institutional independence.
- Lack of consultation: They claim the Bill was drafted without adequate consultation with ISI’s academic community.
- Demand for scrutiny: Opposition members have sought referral of the Bill to the Standing Committee on Finance for detailed examination.
Prelims Pointers
- Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) was founded in 1931 by P.C. Mahalanobis.
- P.C. Mahalanobis developed the Mahalanobis Distance and played a key role in India’s statistical system and economic planning.
- ISI is an Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
- The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 proposes replacing the Governing Council with an 11 member Board of Governors.
[2023] Consider the following organizations/bodies in India:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes
2. The National Human Commission Rights
3. The National Law Commission
4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
How many of the above are constitutional bodies?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four