The Union Government will introduce the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha to upgrade the institute’s legal status and governance structure. The Bill proposes to incorporate the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) as a body corporate. This move is intended to strengthen academic excellence, research capacity, and the institute’s ability to meet the growing demand for data professionals.
Key Developments
- The President of India will be designated as the Visitor of ISI.
- A Board of Governors will be created as the principal executive authority.
- The Board will be chaired by an eminent personality from academia, industry, public policy, or statistical sciences.
- An Academic Council headed by the institute’s Director will oversee all academic matters.
- All full‑time professors and faculty members will automatically become members of the Academic Council.
- The existing Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959 will be repealed and replaced with comprehensive legislation.
Important Facts
The 1959 Act declared ISI an institution of national importance and allowed it to award degrees in statistics. An amendment in 1995 expanded its degree‑granting powers to subjects like mathematics, quantitative economics, and computer science. However, the Bill argues that the old Act lacks provisions for modern governance, finance, and accountability, limiting the institute’s ability to respond to evolving academic and research needs.
Exam Relevance
Understanding this legislative change is vital for GS‑2 (Polity) as it illustrates how the government reforms statutory bodies to improve autonomy and accountability.