Lok Sabha Question No. 3020 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2025
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3020

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## INDIAN STATISTICAL INSTITUTE BILL, 2025

3020. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  existing  governance framework of the Indian Statistical Institute under the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959 has been characterised by outdated, election-driven structures, excessive internal representation and weak accountability and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  multiple  Review  Committees,  including  the  Mashelkar Committee  (2021),  have  recorded  concerns  relating  to  institutional inefficiency, resistance to reform, lack of performance norms and nonpunishment of non-performance and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the proposed ISI Bill, 2025 has been introduced to replace these  legacy  practices  with  a  lean  Board  of  Governors,  merit-based leadership and clearer accountability on the lines of IITs and IIMs;
- (d)  whether  the  Bill  is  intended  to  strengthen  academic  autonomy through modern governance mechanisms and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the present status of the ISI Bill, 2025, including the stage of prelegislative consultation, Cabinet approval and the proposed timeline for its introduction and passage in Parliament?

## 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) & (b). Yes, Sir. Under the existing framework of the Indian Statistical Institute  (ISI)  Act,  1959,  four  Review  Committees  (RCs),  from  time  to time, have examined the functioning and progress of ISI. It has emerged

from these reviews that the governance structure of ISI is characterized by  many  legacy  issues.  The  fourth  ISI  Review  Committee  under  the Chairmanship of Dr. R A Mashelkar, which submitted its Report in 2021 identified several structural issues in the governance of the ISI which allude to institutional inefficiencies, lack of accountability, and resistance to reform. The second, third and fourth RCs have suggested reduction in large size of the ISI Council, which is the governing body of ISI. On the other hand, the size of the ISI Council has actually increased from time to time and has now become 33. At present, there are 13 employees of the ISI within its Council, in addition to the Director and three General Body members who  are  closely  associated  with  ISI.  This  implies  that  17  out  of  33 members of the Council are internal and Council discussions are heavily influenced by internal opinions, preventing independent governance. In this regard, the fourth RC has noted that internal issues and interests overtake the visionary leadership role that the Council is expected to play, and status quo often becomes the only viable option and, therefore, recommended sweeping modifications to the existing structures in the Institute.  Owing  to  large  size  of  the  ISI  Council  and  greater  internal representation  in  it,  the  fourth  RC  recommended  downsizing  and restructuring  of  the  Council,  which  was  not  implemented  by  the Institute.

The ISI governance system is heavily reliant on elections, with multiple positions  filled  by  internal  voting  rather  than  appointments  based  on merit. In this regard, the fourth RC has recommended discontinuance of elections for Heads of Divisions and Dean, which was not implemented by the Institute. The Mashelkar Committee was also concerned to note that accountability amongst the workers of the Institute, including the scientific workers, is low, work norms are scant, non-performance goes unpunished, and proposals on any fundamental reforms (including some suggested  by  the  previous  review  committees)  have  so  far  proved difficult to implement.

While concluding, the fourth Review Committee was of the view that ISI can rise to its true potential and effect a turnaround, if it can bring in certain fundamental changes, some of which are not just incremental, but truly radical in its structure, systems and processes backed up by much  higher  aspirational  levels,  from  top  leadership,  down  to  every worker. ISI must reimagine, reinvent and reposition itself to regain its leadership position and remain relevant in changing times and as ISI

reaches its centenary year in 2031, it should aim to create a new ISI@100 vision, transitioning from the current good to the very best, one of the foremost institutes globally.

- (c).  Yes,  Sir.  The  draft  Indian  Statistical  Institute  Bill,  2026  has  been prepared to introduce a comprehensive new legislation, for upscaling the existing legislation ISI Act, 1959 to the level of governing legislations of other  peer  INIs  such  as  IITs/IIMs  with  the  objective  of  overhaul  and modernization of the Institute's governance framework by enhancing its autonomy and accountability. The draft Bill inter alia intends to address structural and legacy issues identified by Review Committees over the past decades.

The  proposed  Bill  provides  for  incorporation  of  Indian  Statistical Institute  as  a  body  corporate,  and  also  introduces  framework  of statutory bodies for effective governance. The Board of Governors will be an empowered and leaner body consisting of 11 members. The Board has been provided wide-ranging regulation making powers on institutional matters. The proposed Bill also introduces and streamlines the channels of accountability at various level.

- (d). Yes Sir. The  draft ISI Bill 2026  provides more  robust and contemporary governance framework which enables 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, Management Councils, 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. There would be only one government nominee on the Board, five external experts  (including  Chairperson)  and  five  internal  members  of  the Institute including two members of the Academic Council. This would provide academic and governance autonomy to the Institute.

All full time Professors and other full-time faculty (as may be determined by the Board) are proposed to be included in the Academic Council. This will make the Academic Council broader and more representative, and entrenches the participation of senior faculty in academic governance, thereby  strengthening  the  academic  autonomy  of  the  Institute.  The proposed  statutory  Academic  Council  is  given  mandatory  as  well  as recommendatory powers, while the existing Academic Council can only make recommendations to ISI Council. The Bill provides for recognition of the Centres of the Institute (which will be approved 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. Collectively, the abovementioned provisions will strengthen the academic autonomy. 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.  By  aligning  ISI  with  the  legal  and governance framework of other peer Institutions of National Importance, the  ISI  Bill  2026  intends  to  enhance  institutional  autonomy  and accountability and also strengthen its capacity to deliver world-class education, research, and policy support. (e) The pre-legislative consultation, including inter-ministerial consultation, on the draft ISI Bill has concluded. Legal vetting of the draft  has  also  been  completed.  The  process  of  Cabinet  approval  has been initiated. The matter is under consideration in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

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