What government is doing to Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) | Weird developments in ISI delhi

Concerns About Recent Changes at ISI Delhi

Aditi Thakur, an alumna of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), criticizes recent changes at ISI Delhi. She argues that they may weaken the student experience and the institute’s tradition of affordable, autonomous education.

Thakur says she is not accusing the institute’s administration. Instead, she is concerned about government funding and policy decisions.

Main Concerns

• Hostel access: Thakur says some student groups do not receive hostel accommodation. She also says PhD students who previously had permanent single rooms were recently told to vacate them. In her view, an accommodation allowance is not an equivalent substitute for living near classes and campus services.

• Mess changes: According to Thakur, students previously ran the hostel mess, choosing menus and keeping costs low. She says ISI is moving toward outsourcing the mess to a private vendor. Monthly costs of roughly ₹6,000–₹7,000 have been discussed, though she says they are not finalized. She fears students will lose control over menus and kitchen access, and notes that similar price increases have reportedly occurred at ISI Kolkata.

• Rising costs: Thakur contrasts the low guest-house and meal prices she remembers with current charges, which she says have increased substantially. She also raises concerns about student fees and earlier stipend reductions.

• Funding and responsibility: Thakur questions why public funding is not being used to expand hostel capacity and maintain affordable services. She argues that students from modest backgrounds should be able to study without taking on debt.

• Proposed ISI bill: Thakur says a bill introduced in August 2026 could significantly alter ISI’s autonomy. In her view, that autonomy helped distinguish ISI from other institutions and sustain access to high-quality, low-cost education. She fears the changes could undermine those benefits.

Thakur’s Message

Thakur frames these developments as a reversal of the goal of making quality education more accessible. She says she is not affiliated with a political party and made the video to draw attention to the issue and invite public views.

Presenter: Aditi Thakur