Why in news
- A Bill proposing changes to the governance framework of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) was referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee following opposition protests.
What is the Indian Statistical Institute?
- Established in 1931 by PC Mahalanobis, declared an Institution of National Importance under the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959.
- Functions as an autonomous academic body under the Ministry of Statistics and **Programme Implementation (MoSPI)**.
Key Changes proposed in the Bill
- Provides an updated statutory framework modifying administrative governance, executive oversight, and council structures.
- Faculty protests and Opposition objections center on potential executive encroachment on institutional autonomy.
Why it matters
- Preserving statistical credibility and autonomous functioning of key national institutions responsible for national sample surveys and macroeconomic data.
Key terms
Institution of National Importance
Status conferred by an Act of Parliament to premier autonomous higher education institutions in India.
Prelims facts
- ISI was declared an Institution of National Importance under the ISI Act, 1959.
Mains discussion
- Balancing statutory oversight with academic and operational autonomy in Institutions of National Importance.
Source: The Hindu
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2022 · Q13 · General Studies · 2 marks
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2015 · Q15 · GS II · 12 marks
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2026 · Q77 · General Studies · 2 marks
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2026 · Q78 · General Studies · 2 marks
The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are NOT correct in terms of outcomes of this visit? 1. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg 2. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation 3. Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific 4. Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow Select the answer using the code given below: