Draft ISI Bill 2025
1. What the Bill Does
• Converts ISI from a registered society → statutory body corporate.
• Establishes a new Governing Council (BoG) with full government control.
2. Key Changes
• Appointments (faculty, administration) to be decided entirely by the Union Government.
• ISI will have the power to generate revenue (consultancy, sponsored projects).
• Existing protections under the 1959 Act and WB Societies Act removed.
3. Why Protests?
• Fear of loss of academic autonomy.
• No ISI representatives in the new BoG → risk of political interference.
• Shift toward a corporate funding model may harm fundamental research.
• Concerns over non-transparent drafting of the Bill.
4. Government’s Stand
• Reforms aim to make ISI globally competitive.
• Claims governance updates follow review committee recommendations.
