New Delhi: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on Tuesday released a comprehensive set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the draft Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025, amid concerns over misinformation circulating in sections of the media and on social platforms.
The draft Bill proposes converting ISI from a registered society into a statutory body corporate, replacing the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959, and aligning the institute’s governance framework with other Institutions of National Importance (INIs) such as the IITs and IIMs. The ministry said the proposed law is intended to modernise ISI’s governance architecture while strengthening institutional autonomy and accountability.
According to MoSPI, the legislation is anchored on four guiding principles—academic excellence, effective governance, autonomy and accountability. It seeks to provide ISI greater decision-making powers in its day-to-day functioning, expand the scope of “statistical sciences” in line with global developments, and grant academic and governance flexibility to its centres to scale up teaching and research activities.
The ministry clarified that the draft Bill has undergone a multi-layered consultation process. Public comments were initially invited between September 25 and November 3, 2025. Following feedback, a revised draft was placed in the public domain on November 28, with the consultation window now extended till January 5, 2026.
Responding to what it described as factually incorrect claims about the Bill’s intent and provisions, MoSPI said the FAQs were issued to “obviate speculation” and ensure stakeholders rely on official documents and parliamentary processes for accurate information.
Once enacted, the ISI Bill, 2025 is expected to strengthen the institute’s capacity to deliver world-class education, research and policy support, while positioning it as a globally recognised centre of excellence in statistics and allied disciplines, the ministry added.