Archive · 3 Aug 2026
ISI Faculty Protest Bill Repealing 1959 Act
Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) is a top research school in Kolkata, India.
The government wants to change the way ISI is run by making a new law called the Indian Statistical Institute Bill 2025/2026.
The new law would replace the old 1959 law and change the board that makes decisions.
ISI teachers, staff and students are worried that the new law will let the government control more of the school and might move its main office away from Kolkata.
They say the law was written without talking to them.
Many people at ISI have signed a petition and even wore protest badges at a graduation ceremony.
The government says the changes will help ISI grow and keep up with new science and technology.
The bill was first shown to the public in September 2025 and was sent to the Indian parliament on August 3, 2026.
The debate is still going on and both sides want more discussion before any decision is made.
ISI faculty, staff and students oppose the Centre's proposed Bill 2025/2026, citing threats to autonomy and Kolkata headquarters status.
The Bill would repeal the 1959 Indian Statistical Institute Act and replace the society-based governance with a statutory body governed by a Board of Governance appointed by the Centre.
Faculty argue the draft was prepared without consultation with the ISI Society, faculty, students, or the institute’s director.
The Bill’s governance changes would reduce the powers of the Academic Council and could increase government interference in academic matters.
A mass petition and campus protests have been launched, urging the Centre to withdraw the draft and engage stakeholders before proceeding.
- Who
- Faculty members, employees, students of Indian Statistical Institute and the Centre (Government)
- What
- Proposed Indian Statistical Institute Bill 2025/2026 to repeal the 1959 Act and change governance
- When
- Draft released September 2025; introduced in Lok Sabha on Aug 3, 2026
- Where
- Kolkata, India; Lok Sabha, New Delhi
- Why
- To modernize governance and strengthen the institute, but concerns about autonomy
- Proposed Bill Year
- 2025/2026
- Institute
- Indian Statistical Institute
- Location
- Kolkata, India
- Key Concern
- Autonomy and governance changes
- Status
- Draft Bill introduced in Lok Sabha on Aug 3, 2026
