The ISI Bill 2025

The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) is an institute of international repute, renowned for its research and training in statistics, mathematics, quantitative economics, computer science, and related disciplines. Established in 1932 as a learned society ( registered under the Societies Act 1962) under the visionary leadership of Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis, ISI was empowered by the ISI Act 1959 to grant degrees and was declared an Institute of National Importance, while retaining its original structure as a society. The 1959 act recognized the Memorandum of Association, Bye-laws and Regulations of the society.

Since then, ISI has been governed by a Council that maintains a balanced representation of elected members from within the Institute and the Society, along with government-nominated members from academia and the bureaucracy. This inclusive and well-considered structure has served ISI remarkably well, enabling it to sustain a tradition of excellence in research, teaching, and national service.

Over the decades, ISI has produced and nurtured legendary scholars such as Prof. C.R. Rao (recipient of the International Prize in Statistics, 2023) and Prof. S.R.S. Varadhan (recipient of the Abel Prize, 2007). Today, ISI alumni hold faculty positions in leading departments of statistics and mathematics across the world. The Institute’s current faculty members are also widely recognized, with many receiving prestigious honors such as the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, the Infosys Prize, and fellowships from national and international academies.

ISI’s contributions to nation-building are equally significant. It has contributed to the development of India’s first indigenous computer, the formulation of the Second Five-Year Plan and the founding of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). Even today, ISI plays a critical role in supporting the government through its expertise in statistics, cryptography, machine learning, and other advanced fields,  whenever the government seeks such support. 

However, the government is now proposing a new legislation, the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2025, which threatens to dismantle the existing governance structure of ISI. The Bill seeks to transform ISI from a learned society into a body corporate, replacing the current Council with a Board of Governors largely nominated by the government. It also drastically reduces the size and authority of the Academic Council, curtailing its ability to make independent academic decisions, while shifting the Institute’s focus toward corporate-style revenue generation rather than academic and public service excellence.

We believe that the proposed Bill represents a legislative attempt to undermine and dismantle an institution that has contributed immensely to India’s intellectual and scientific growth. Such a move would erode ISI’s autonomy and its long-standing culture of academic freedom.

We therefore appeal to you to join us in opposing the ISI Bill 2025 and to help preserve the integrity and independence of this great institution.

You can sign a Mass Petition addressed to the Minister MoSPI requesting him to withdraw the bill.

Your comments regarding the draft bill can be mailed to capisi-mospi@gov.in till 3rd Nov 2025 in this format. A comprehensive response for you to consult is here.