3 weeks ago
Opposition MPs Challenge Proposed Overhaul of ISI Governance
The government wants to change how the Indian Statistical Institute is run.
Its Bill would replace the current council with a smaller board of governors.
Government officials say the large council makes it difficult to make decisions quickly.
Opposition MPs say the council could simply be made smaller through a change to the existing law.
They argue that removing the council could weaken the institute’s democratic structure.
Teachers are concerned that the new board would give the government more influence over research and data.
An ISI professor also said an earlier committee had recommended a 19-member council instead.
The institute’s chairman denied an allegation that he withheld a government communication about that proposal.
Opposition MPs questioned why the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959, must be repealed to speed up decision-making.
The proposed Bill would replace the 33-member ISI council with a 12-member board of governors.
The government says the council’s size and composition impede institutional reforms, growth and effective decisions.
Critics say the council could be reduced through an amendment without abolishing its elected representation.
ISI faculty members also fear greater government control over research and data under the proposed structure.
- Who
- The Union government, Opposition MPs, Indian Statistical Institute officials and faculty members.
- What
- The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026, proposes replacing the institute’s existing council with a board of governors.
- Where
- The Indian Statistical Institute in Calcutta and the parliamentary standing committee on finance.
- When
- The issue was discussed at the committee’s first meeting on Wednesday; the ministry’s communication about a 19-member council was reportedly sent in December 2024.
- Why
- The government says the current council is too large and obstructs effective decision-making, while critics say an amendment to the existing law would be sufficient.
Critics of the Bill
Government’s Case
Need for legislative overhaul
Critics of the Bill
Opposition MPs say the council could be reduced from 33 members through an amendment to the 1959 Act, without repealing the law or replacing the council.
Government’s Case
The ministry says the existing council’s size, composition, internal representation and elected membership limit effective decision-making, reforms and institutional growth.
Institutional autonomy
Critics of the Bill
Critics say abolishing the council and creating a ministry-influenced board would impose bureaucratic control and weaken ISI’s democratic governance.
Government’s Case
The proposed smaller board is presented as a way to make decisions more quickly and support institutional reforms.
Communication about the council’s size
Critics of the Bill
ISI associate professor Kuntal Ghosh said the ministry’s December 2024 communication seeking consideration of a 19-member council was not passed on to the council, preventing possible discussion.
Government’s Case
ISI chairman Koppillil Radhakrishnan said the allegation that he withheld the communication was factually incorrect.
Key facts
- Bill
- Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026
- Existing law
- Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959
- Current council
- A 33-member body with elected teaching and non-teaching staff members and Union ministry representatives
- Proposed structure
- A 12-member board of governors
- Earlier recommendation
- The fourth review committee, known as the Mashelkar committee, reportedly suggested a 19-member council
- Government rationale
- The ministry says the existing council’s size and composition impede effective decision-making
- Main concern from faculty
- Greater government control over research and data
Quotes
Koppillil Radhakrishnan
Chairman of the ISI council
“There was no need to overhaul the entire democratically structured governance mechanism”
telegraphindia.com
“(The) allegation is factually incorrect.”
telegraphindia.com
Anonymous committee member
Opposition MP serving on the parliamentary committee
“There is no need to abolish the council for this and replace it with a board of governors loaded with those nominated by the ministry and impose bureaucratic control over the institute.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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