Draft Indian Statistical Institute Bill 2025

Why in news?

Protest in Kolkata against the Central government’s new Bill to repeal the ISI Act, 1959, saying it would seriously reduce the institute’s academic autonomy.

• Aim – To give ISI a stronger legal identity and a more robust governance system.
• Replaces – Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Act, 1959, that conferred ISI’s national importance status.

Key Provisions of the bill

• Institutional Status – It transforms ISI into a statutory body corporate established by an Act of Parliament and ends its current status as a registered society.
  • Making it more like that of central institutions such as the IITs and IIMs.
• Governance Structure –
  • Visitor – It proposed to appoint the President of India as Visitor.
  • Board of Governance – Chairperson nominated by the Visitor on the Union government’s recommendation.
  • Representatives of the Centre, eminent persons, director and other institute representatives are nominated by the Centre.
  • Functions – Decide on administrative matters, grant degrees, and make appointments to academic and other posts, and also frame regulations and rules to implement the Act.
• Academic Council – It consists of the heads of divisions & centres and is headed by the director, make recommendations to the board on academic matters.
• Appointment & Oversight –
  • Director – Appointed by Board Chairperson from a panel recommended by a search-cum-selection committee constituted by the Union government.
  • Visitor’s Power – Remove the Director and order inquiries and reviews of the institute’s work.

Quick Fact

References

1. The Hindu | Academics protest against the draft ISI bill
2. Indian Express | Indian Statistical Institute Bill 2025