In a bid to modernize India’s statistical ecosystem, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the draft Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2025 today. The draft is open for public comment until October 24, 2025.
The bill proposes a revamped governance structure for ISI, including a leaner and more empowered board with oversight on policy, administrative, and financial functions. It aims to strike a balance between institutional autonomy and government accountability.
According to the draft, the board will include domain experts, statisticians, and representatives from academia, enhancing transparency and expertise in decision-making. The legislation also calls for clearer delineation of roles, modern administrative practices, and financial rules to align with global best practices.
With ISI approaching its centenary, the government views this as an opportunity to reposition the institute for future challenges in big data, analytics, policy modeling, and statistical research. The reforms are expected to help ISI respond nimbly to emerging needs in national planning, data governance, and evolving statistical methodologies.
Scholars and stakeholders have been invited to submit feedback, objections, or suggestions by the deadline. The draft grounds the reform in multiple review committee recommendations and aims to preserve ISI’s heritage while adapting to contemporary demands.