Draft Indian Statistical Institute Bill Open for Feedback

Draft Indian Statistical Institute Bill Open for Feedback

Why in the News ?

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has extended the deadline for public feedback on the draft Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2025, which seeks to transform ISI from a registered society into a statutory body to strengthen its autonomy and functioning. This move comes at a time when accurate data analysis, including crime statistics from the NCRB report, is crucial for informed policymaking.

Government Extends Deadline for Suggestions:

  • The MoSPI has announced that the deadline for submitting comments on the draft ISI Bill, 2025, has been extended till the 3rd of next month.
  • The move aims to encourage greater public participation and consultation in the policymaking process, which could potentially impact how crimes are analyzed and reported.
  • Feedback and suggestions can be sent via email to [email protected].
  • The draft Bill is available on the official website of the Ministry for public reference.
  • This step reflects the government’s focus on transparency and stakeholder engagement in legislative drafting, which is essential for addressing various societal issues, including the rising concern of crimes in India.

Objectives of the Draft ISI Bill, 2025:

  • The Bill proposes to elevate the institutional status of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI).
  • It seeks to convert ISI from a registered society under the Societies Registration Act to a statutory body.
  • The aim is to enhance ISI’s autonomy, ensure better accountability, and provide legal backing to its academic and research functions, including its potential role in analyzing crime data and creating comprehensive crime maps.
  • It intends to modernize the governance structure of ISI, aligning it with global standards for premier institutions.
  • The Bill also envisions improving coordination between statistical research and national policymaking, which could significantly impact the criminal justice system and law enforcement priorities.
About Indian Statistical Institute (ISI):
● Established: 1931 by P.C. Mahalanobis, a renowned statistician.
● Headquarters: Kolkata, with centres in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Tezpur.
● Functions: Conducts advanced research in statistics, mathematics, economics, and computer science. ISI’s expertise could be crucial in analyzing complex crime data and supporting victim support services through data-driven insights.
● Declared an Institute of National Importance by an Act of Parliament in 1959.
● Plays a key role in data analytics, economic modelling, and national statistical standards — crucial for UPSC preparation under governance and economy topics. ISI’s work could potentially extend to analyzing trends in crimes, including crime against women, and supporting the implementation of the principal offence rule in crime reporting.