The central government on Monday introduced the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha, laying out a modern statutory framework for the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) with a focused push toward data science, emerging technologies, and strategic industry collaboration.
Union Minister Rao Indrajit Singh introduced the legislation, which seeks to repeal and replace the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959 while preserving the institute’s designation as an Institution of National Importance.
The legislation aims to transition the existing society into an autonomous statutory body corporate.
The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 seeks to provide for a comprehensive statutory framework to the Indian Statistical Institute, to excel as a globally recognised centre in Statistical Sciences and allied fields
The legislation expands the statutory definition of Statistical Sciences and it includes “the fields of theoretical and applied statistics, mathematics, economics, data science, computer science and other quantitative sciences including biology, physics and earth sciences; and such other allied fields including quantitative social sciences and modern technologies, such as cryptology and other related disciplines as may be specified by the regulations.”
(ANI)
