**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation will introduce the 'Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025' to revamp the governance of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI). The aim is to modernize the institute's governance framework and enhance its autonomy and accountability by upscaling the existing legislation Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959. The draft Bill is available on the Ministry's website for pre-legislative consultation until December 15, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Legislative Changes:**
* A draft 'Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025' has been prepared to replace the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959.
* The legislation aims to align ISI with other Institutions of National Importance (INIs).
* **ISI Headquarters:**
* There is no proposal to shift the location of ISI's headquarters from Kolkata.
* The location is clearly indicated in the draft Bill.
* **Governance and Structure:**
* The new legislation will strengthen the governance framework of ISI and reiterate its status as an Institution of National Importance.
* The Bill facilitates ISI's incorporation as a body corporate and establishes a framework of statutory bodies for effective governance.
* The ISI Bill 2025 enables ISI to set up centers and campuses in India and abroad.
* **Autonomy and Accountability:**
* The legislation aims to enhance institutional autonomy and accountability.
* The Board of Governors will be an empowered and leaner body consisting of 11 members.
* The Bill introduces streamlined channels of accountability.
* The Bill provides for a Visitor to review and inquire.
* The bill provides for recognition of the Centers of the Institute, with a degree of autonomy.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation**
* **Impact:** Responsible for drafting and implementing the new legislation.
* **Action Required:** Finalize and present the 'Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025' for enactment after the pre-legislative consultation.
**Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)**
* **Impact:** Significant changes to its governance structure, academic representation, and operational framework.
* **Action Required:** Review the draft bill, provide feedback during the pre-legislative consultation, and prepare for the implementation of the new governance framework.
**Stakeholders of ISI**
* **Impact:** Students, researchers, and faculty of ISI who will be working under the new governance structure.
* **Action Required:** Understand the changes in the new Bill, including the roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025: Draft legislation to overhaul and modernize the governance framework of the Indian Statistical Institute, aiming to enhance its autonomy and accountability.
Indian Statistical Institute (ISI): A premier national institution being restructured through new legislation.
Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959: The existing legislation governing the Indian Statistical Institute, which the new Bill is intended to upscale.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation: The ministry responsible for preparing the draft 'Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025' and overseeing the restructuring of the Indian Statistical Institute.
Kolkata: Location of ISI's headquarters. The draft legislation confirms that the location of the headquarters will not change.
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 includingproposed 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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