Centre responds positively to ‘Institution of National Importance’ bid for IIST

The Centre has responded positively to a bid for ‘Institution of National Importance’ status to the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST).

The Centre’s positive stand on the matter came on a request made by Shashi Tharoor, MP, in the Lok Sabha. Responding to Mr. Tharoor’s request, Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh stated that the Department of Space has examined the matter. “Action is under way in the department to seek appropriate approvals from competent authorities to accord ‘Institution of National Importance’ status to IIST, Thiruvananthapuram,” Mr. Singh said.

Mr. Tharoor had urged the Centre to accord Institution of National Importance status to IIST, raising the issue under Rule 377 which allows MPs to raise matters of urgent public importance in the House.

Mr. Tharoor posted Mr. Singh’s response, which came on August 28, on X on Monday.

Mr. Singh observed that at present, IIST is functioning as a deemed to be university under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.

The IIST was established under the Department of Space in 2007 at Valiyamala here to produce trained engineers and scientists for the Indian Space Research Organisation and promote higher education and research in space sciences, technology, and engineering.