ICSSR to Issue Show-Cause Notice to CSDS Over Grant Rules; Education Ministry Funding Role Under Scrutiny

ICSSR has said it will issue a show-cause notice to CSDS for alleged grant rule violations and controversial election data release. The Education Ministry’s funding role is also under scrutiny.

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) has said it will issue a show-cause notice to the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) for alleged violations of grant-in-aid rules and the release of what it described as misleading election-related data. The development has triggered a wider debate over research funding, accountability, and the role of the Education Ministry, which has also been found to be funding CSDS.

ICSSR’s Official Stand

In an official post on X (formerly Twitter) on August 19, ICSSR confirmed that it had taken cognisance of alleged irregularities at CSDS. “ICSSR has taken note of the violation of grant-in-aid rules by a senior official at CSDS. A show-cause notice will be issued,” the Council stated.

The decision came shortly after CSDS released pre-election survey data that sparked political controversy. While opposition leaders defended the survey as part of academic research, the ruling party alleged attempts to mislead voters.

The Funding Angle

Although ICSSR is the principal funding body for CSDS, recent reports indicate that the Ministry of Education has also been extending financial support to the institute. This revelation has added a new dimension to the issue, raising questions about overlapping funding sources and oversight of compliance.

Experts say that if both ICSSR and the Ministry were funding CSDS simultaneously, stricter monitoring of project spending and adherence to rules would be expected.

Political and Academic Reactions

The controversy has taken on political overtones, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Congress of using CSDS survey data to fuel its “vote-chori” (vote theft) campaign. Academic voices, however, are divided: some argue that ICSSR’s move could hurt the autonomy of research institutions, while others insist that publicly funded bodies must uphold transparency and neutrality.

About CSDS

The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, set up in 1963 by political scientist Rajni Kothari, is a premier research institute in Delhi focusing on political science, sociology, and allied fields. It has historically shaped intellectual discourse around democracy and development in India and continues to be regarded as an influential voice in social sciences.

CSDS has long depended on ICSSR’s grants but also receives funding from ministries and international agencies for specific projects.

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