Archive · 20 Jan 2026
ISI Bill Sparks Autonomy and Pseudoscience Concerns
The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Calcutta is a very important place for research and teaching in statistics and economics.
The government wants to change how the ISI is run by creating a new board with people they choose.
Many teachers and researchers at the ISI are worried about this change.
They think the government wants to control the research and teach things that are not based on real science, like the Indian Knowledge System (IKS).
They also think the government wants to control the data the ISI collects and analyzes.
The ISI has always been independent, and the teachers are afraid that this independence will be lost.
The government says the changes are to make decisions faster, but the teachers are not convinced.
The Modi government's proposed changes to the governance structure of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Calcutta have sparked concerns among teachers and researchers.
Critics allege the changes aim to inject pseudoscience into the curriculum and control data analysis to obtain favorable research outcomes.
The draft Revised Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2025 proposes a board of governors with members nominated by the Union government, which will have control over academic programs and appointments.
Teachers and researchers fear the loss of the ISI's autonomy, which has historically allowed it to preserve independent functioning.
The government has dismissed the allegations, stating the bill aims to streamline decision-making and does not intend to control academic programs or research.
- Who
- Teachers and researchers at the Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta, and the Modi government
- What
- Proposed changes to the governance structure of the ISI through the Revised Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2025
- When
- The draft bill was proposed in 2025, with concerns raised by teachers and researchers
- Where
- Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta
- Why
- To inject pseudoscience into the curriculum, control data analysis, and obtain palatable research outcomes, according to critics
- Institute
- Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta
- Bill
- Revised Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2025
- Governance Structure
- Proposed board of governors with government nominees
- Current Governance
- Society, council, and academic council
- Founded
- December 1931 by Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis
- Sampling and Official Statistics Unit
- Focuses on research, training, and policy support in official statistics
- Indian Knowledge System (IKS)
- Programmes based on pseudoscience, according to critics
- Funding Incentive
- Funding available for institutions embracing IKS
