Purpose of the Bill
• Replaces the ISI Act, 1959
• Converts ISI from a society-based institution into a centrally supervised statutory body.
• Aims to modernise governance, administration, and financial structure.
Institutional Restructuring
• ISI becomes a statutory institution created by Parliament
• Existing society structure under a State Act is dissolved
• Central oversight increases significantly
New Governance Structure
• Board of Governors (BoG) becomes the top authority
• Majority of BoG members are Central Government nominees
• Academic representation is reduced to only three seats
• Academic Council becomes advisory instead of decision-making
Administrative Changes
• BoG can open, merge, relocate, or close ISI centres in India or abroad
• No statutory protection for the Kolkata headquarters
• Director is appointed, reviewed, and removed directly by the Central Government
Financial Framework
• Bill mandates revenue generation and financial self-sufficiency
• Possible streams include higher student fees, consultancy, sponsored research, IP and patents
• BoG gets autonomy to manage funds, grants, and endowments
• Accounts audited as per CAG standards
Criticisms and Concerns
• Reduced autonomy due to strong government control
• Limited faculty participation in governance
• Seen as weakening cooperative federalism as a State-registered society is replaced without consultation
• Fear of shift from fundamental research to commercially driven projects
• Potential increase in student fees and research cost burden
Government’s Stand
• Reforms aim to make ISI a globally competitive, world-class institution
• Based on recommendations of the 2020 R. A. Mashelkar Committee
• Intended to strengthen governance efficiency and academic expansion
