Lok Sabha Question No. 2876 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Restructuring the Governance of ISI
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Shri Bapi Haldar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2876 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025

## RESTRUCTURING THE GOVERNANCE OF ISI

2876.  SHRI BAPI HALDAR:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  restructure  the  governance  of  the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), including changes to its governing bodies, academic  representation  and  senior  appointments  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether there is any proposal to change the status or location of ISI's headquarters in Kolkata and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether any steps are being taken to ensure that any such proposal does not dilute the academic autonomy, federal character and historic role of ISI as a premier national institution, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  OF  THE  MINISTRY  OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION,  MINISTER  OF  STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE [RAO INDERJIT SINGH]

(a) Yes Sir. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has prepared a draft 'Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025' to introduce a comprehensive new legislation, for upscaling the existing legislation Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959 to the level of governing legislations of other peer Institutions of National Importance (INIs) such as IITs/IIMs with the objective  of  overhaul  and  modernization  of  the  Institute's  governance framework by enhancing its autonomy and accountability. A copy of the draft 'The  Indian  Statistical  Institute  Bill,  2025'  has  been  placed  on  Ministry's website for further pre-legislative consultation till 15 December 2025. The draft  Bill  contains,  inter-alia,  details  of  governing  framework  including proposed  governing  bodies,  academic  representation  and  procedures  for senior appointments.

- (b) There is no such proposal under consideration to shift the location of ISI's headquarters from Kolkata. In the draft Indian Statistical Institute Bill 2025 which is presently placed for pre-legislative consultation, the location/ registered office of the Institute has been clearly indicated in the long title. The proposed legislation upscales and strengthens the governing framework of  ISI,  reiterates  the  declaration  of  ISI  as  an  Institution  of  National Importance, and provides for incorporation of ISI as a body corporate, and also  introduces  framework  of  statutory  bodies  for  effective  governance. Moreover, the Bill enables the Institute to set up centres and campuses in India and abroad to expand its academic and research reach.
- (c)  The  ISI  Bill  2025  is  intended  to  enable  ISI  to  emerge  as  a  globally recognised  centre  of  excellence  in  statistical  and  allied  disciplines.  The draft  legislation  is  founded  upon  the  guiding  principles  of  Excellence, Effective Governance, Autonomy and Accountability. The statutory authorities of the Institute namely the Visitor, the Board of Governors, an Academic Council, the Director, Centre-Directors and the Registrar and their roles and responsibilities have been incorporated in the proposed statute. The Board of Governors will be an empowered and leaner body consisting of 11 members and having a balanced representation of internal and external members. The Bill introduces and streamlines the channels of accountability at various level. It provides provisions for review and inquiry by the Visitor, review of medium-term and long-term plan by the Board, and submission of annual performance report and annual financial report by the Director.  The  Bill  provides  for  recognition  of  the  Centres  of  the  Institute (which will be specified by the Board) and grant them a degree of autonomy. The Centres of the Institute will be given adequate financial, administrative and  academic  powers,  so  as  to  enable  them  to  attain  autonomy  in  their decision  making  and  functioning  through  their  respective  Management Councils. By aligning ISI with the legal and governance framework of other peer Institutions of National Importance, the ISI Bill 2025 intends to enhance institutional autonomy and accountability and also strengthen its capacity to deliver world-class education, research, and policy support.

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