Archive · 13 Nov 2025
ISI Students Protest Proposed Bill, Citing Autonomy Concerns
Imagine a special school, the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), that makes its own rules and decides how to run things on its own.
Now, the government wants to change the rules with a new bill.
Students and some teachers are worried because they think this new bill will give the government too much control over the school.
They say the school won't be able to make its own decisions anymore and will become like a regular government office.
The students are protesting because they believe the school's special way of working, which has helped the country for a long time, will be lost.
The government says the new bill is to make the school more modern and run better, but the students disagree and feel their independence is being taken away.
ISI Calcutta students and scholars protested a draft bill aiming to transform the institute into a statutory body.
Protesters allege the Union government's draft ISI Bill, 2025, is an attempt to seize the institute's autonomy.
Concerns include the bill altering the composition of the institute's council and academic council, concentrating power with the Centre.
A retired professor stated the bill curbs the academic council's role, potentially allowing government intervention.
The Union government is seeking public opinion on the draft bill until November 3 before potentially presenting it in Parliament.
- Who
- Students and research scholars of ISI Calcutta, retired ISI professor Abhirup Sarkar, and the Union government
- What
- Protest against the draft ISI Bill, 2025, which is alleged to strip the institute of its autonomy.
- When
- Wednesday evening (protest); Public opinion sought until November 3; Bill likely to be placed in Parliament subsequently.
- Where
- ISI Calcutta campus gate
- Why
- Students and scholars allege the bill aims to concentrate power with the Union government, alter the composition of key councils, and convert the autonomous institute into a statutory body under central control.
Students and Retired Professor
Union Government
Nature of ISI
Students and Retired Professor
The bill aims to convert ISI from an autonomous society to a statutory body under complete Union government control, representing a 'legislative takeover' and 'autonomy grab'.
Union Government
The bill seeks to modernize the institute and transform it into a statutory body with a more streamlined and empowered board of governors responsible for policy, administration, and finance.
Academic Council's Role
Students and Retired Professor
The bill curtails the role of the academic council, reducing its decision-making power to mere recommendations to the board of governors, potentially leading to intervention.
Union Government
The bill aims to enhance the authority of the board of governors, with the academic council's role shifting to making recommendations.
Government Intervention
Students and Retired Professor
The bill leaves scope for government intervention, which is seen as eroding the institute's autonomy, with concerns of repeating interventions seen in IITs.
Union Government
The bill is framed as a modernization effort and an enhancement of the board of governors' authority, implying a more efficient governance structure.
- Bill Name
- Draft Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025
- Protest Location
- ISI Calcutta Campus Gate
- Protest Date
- Wednesday evening
- Union Government Deadline for Public Opinion
- November 3
- Current ISI Act
- 1959 ISI Act
- Historical Significance
- Pioneering role in India's planning and policy, including the Second Five-Year Plan under Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis