Repositioning and revamping ISI as it approaches its centenary in 2031

Strengthening ISI to deliver world-class education, research and policy support

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, has released the draft Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2025 for public consultation on 25 Sep 2025. Comments and suggestions are invited from all stakeholders and the general public as part of the pre-legislative consultation process.

The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) was founded in December 1931 and has since grown into one of India’s most prestigious academic and research institutions. In recognition of its national contribution, Parliament enacted the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959, declaring ISI an Institution of National Importance (INI). Today, ISI offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in Statistics, Mathematics, Quantitative Economics, Computer Science, Library and Information Science, Cryptology and Security, Quality Management Science and Operations Research. It also conducts research programmes, diplomas, and certificate courses. With about 1,200 students across its centres, ISI plays a key role in advancing India’s leadership in statistical sciences and allied fields.

Over the years, four Review Committees have examined the functioning of ISI. The most recent, chaired by Dr. R.A. Mashelkar in 2020, recommended major reforms to strengthen governance, expand academic programmes, and make ISI globally competitive. The Committee recommended that ISI must reimagine, reinvent and reposition itself to regain its leadership position and remain relevant in changing times as it reaches its centenary year in 2031.

To address the issue, a new legislation for ISI by upscaling the existing Act to the level of other existing INI legislations is being proposed, putting in place a revamped governance structure, making the Board of Governance a leaner and more empowered body for policy, administrative and financial matters.

As ISI approaches its centenary in 2031, the vision is to make ISI not only one of the best in India but one of the foremost institutes in the world. In view of the above, the proposed draft Bill is founded upon the following guiding principles:

(a) Excellence: promoting academic rigour, global competitiveness, and innovation;

(b) Effective Governance: establishing clear institutional structures, streamlining decision-making, and upholding integrity in leadership and administration;

(c) Autonomy: granting the Institute greater decision-making powers in its day-today functioning and planning;

(d) Accountability: ensuring transparency, oversight, and responsiveness to stakeholders.

The proposed reforms are aimed at unlocking ISI’s full potential in the 21^st century. By aligning ISI with the legal and governance framework of other Institutions of National Importance, the Government intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver world-class education, research, and policy support.

The draft Bill and the prescribed format for sending comments are available on the Ministry’s website (https://new.mospi.gov.in). Suggestions may be sent by email to capisi-mospi[at]gov[dot]in in MS Word or PDF format by 24 October 2025.

Institutional autonomy sought; draft Bill proposes governance overhaul for an Institution of National Importance and invites public input. The draft Bill proposes aligning ISI with other Institutions of National Importance by instituting a revamped governance structure that makes the Board of Governance leaner and more empowered for policy, administrative and financial matters, grants greater Autonomy in institutional functioning and planning, and strengthens Accountability and transparency. The draft, following prior review recommendations, solicits stakeholder and public comments through a prescribed consultation process and provides access and submission details on the Ministry website.