Cabinet approval likely for ISI Bill 2026

The Union Cabinet is likely to soon consider the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Bill, 2026, which proposes to incorporate the institute as a body corporate and establish a modern governance framework for its functioning.

Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation Rao Inderjit Singh informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that the process for Cabinet approval has already been initiated and the proposal is under consideration as per the prescribed procedure.

In a written reply, the minister said the draft bill aims to strengthen the autonomy and accountability of the Indian Statistical Institute while introducing a more robust and contemporary governance structure. He added that the pre-legislative consultation process, including inter-ministerial consultations, has been completed and the draft legislation has undergone legal vetting.

The proposed bill provides for the creation of an empowered Board of Governors consisting of 11 members. The board will include one government nominee, five external experts including the chairperson, and five internal members from the institute, two of whom will represent the Academic Council.