Context:
The Draft Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025 has faced protests from students and academicians over concerns about autonomy and governance changes.
About ISI
- Founded: 1931
- Founder: Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, eminent Indian statistician, known for the Mahalanobis distance and pioneering India’s statistical planning.
- Legal Registration:
- Initially under Societies Registration Act, 1860 (April 1932).
- Re-registered under West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961.
- Institute of National Importance: Granted by Parliament in 1959, enabling it to confer degrees and set academic standards.
- Headquarters: Kolkata
Objectives of ISI
- Statistical Science: Advancement and promotion of statistical theory and applications.
- Interdisciplinary Research: Bridging statistics with mathematics, computer science, economics, and social sciences.
- National Contribution:
oDevelopment of National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO).
oEstablishing India’s official statistical system.
oSupporting economic modelling and planning.
Significance
- Acts as a key institution for data-driven policymaking.
- Contributes to government and private sector research, especially in surveys, sampling methods, and statistical modelling.
- Alumni have played crucial roles in economic planning, census, and social research.
Current Issue
- Concerns with Draft ISI Bill, 2025:
- Potential curbs on academic autonomy.
- Governance changes may impact decision-making powers of faculty and researchers.
- Fear of political or bureaucratic influence affecting scientific independence.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
