KOLKATA – Students, faculty, and staff of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) will protest on November 28 against the draft ISI Bill 2025. They state the proposed legislation “undermines autonomy, accessibility, and public-funded research” at the institution. A mass petition, signed by former directors, has also sought the bill’s withdrawal from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
The planned protest runs from 4:30 pm to 7 pm. Participants will form a human chain around the ISI campus. They will also march in a procession from the institute to Dunlop crossing. The demonstration concludes with a street corner meeting.
Key Bill Changes Draw Criticism
The draft ISI Bill 2025 proposes significant structural and operational changes. It seeks to convert ISI from a registered society into a statutory body corporate. Critics argue this move shifts the institute from an autonomous entity under West Bengal government registration to direct Union Government control. This “legislative takeover” erodes the federal balance, according to ISI society members.
The bill would also end free undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It would eliminate stipends for meritorious but economically disadvantaged students. This change would make ISI highly inaccessible, the society stated. It could discourage talented students from pursuing research in India, they added.
Current governance structures face overhaul. The draft bill replaces the existing representative council with a centrally-appointed Board of Governors (BoG). This change removes the Academic Council from decision-making. The ISI society highlighted that the current system involves biennial elections for its council, a democratic feature the draft bill eliminates.
The 1959 ISI Act clearly defines Kolkata as the institute’s headquarters. The new draft bill does not specify the headquarters location. ISI members stated the review committee for the 1959 Act only recommended minor amendments, not a complete repeal.
Impact on Research and Governance
The ISI society contends the draft bill “commercialises” and “centralises” the institute. It alleges the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) aims to transform ISI’s core nature and governance. The bill revises council compositions and powers. This places authority directly with the central government and its nominees. This dismantles ISI’s academic and administrative autonomy, critics argue.
The legislation shifts the institute’s primary focus from research to commercialisation. This undermines its founding vision and long-standing public character. Prominent figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Brajendranath Seal, and Satyendranath Bose were involved in ISI’s Bengal renaissance roots. The society expressed dismay that the bill was floated without consulting research scholars.
Concerns Over Accessibility and Equality
ISI currently offers publicly-funded education with zero tuition fees. This allows research without financial burden. The proposed changes threaten this distinct feature, making education at ISI less accessible. Students, faculty, scholars, and workers collectively emphasized protecting ISI. They view it as crucial for preserving accessible education, federal balance, and scientific integrity in India.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has been accused of seeking opinions on this significant matter in a hasty and inadequate manner.
The draft ISI Bill 2025 awaits parliamentary consideration. ISI stakeholders continue to advocate for its withdrawal to protect the institute’s foundational principles.