Financial Inclusion Trust Supports Indian Statistical Institute with Grant for Advanced Computing and Network Infrastructure
Major Boost for Research, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and High-Performance Computing at ISI Kolkata
Kolkata, June 23, 2026:
In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening India’s research and innovation ecosystem, the Financial Inclusion Trust (FIT), a registered public charitable trust and the principal promoter of Bandhan Bank, has extended a major grant to the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata, for the modernization and enhancement of its computing and network infrastructure. The support is expected to significantly strengthen the Institute’s capabilities in advanced research, data-intensive academic work, artificial intelligence, and next-generation technological innovation.
The announcement was made during a special ceremony held at the A.N. Kolmogorov Bhawan on the ISI campus in Kolkata. The initiative aims to upgrade the Institute’s computing facilities, network systems, and statistical service infrastructure, enabling students, researchers, and faculty members to access advanced computational resources required for modern scientific research and innovation.
Strengthening a Legacy of Scientific Excellence
Founded in 1931 by renowned statistician and visionary Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, the Indian Statistical Institute has played a pioneering role in establishing statistics as a cornerstone of science, technology, economics, and public policy in India. Today, ISI enjoys a global reputation for excellence in statistics, mathematics, computer science, quantitative economics, and interdisciplinary research.
As the world increasingly relies on artificial intelligence, big data, machine learning, and high-performance computing, robust digital infrastructure has become indispensable for academic and research institutions. FIT’s contribution is expected to help ISI expand its computational ecosystem and remain at the forefront of data-driven research and technological advancement.
ISI Director Highlights Importance of Digital Infrastructure
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Amartya Kumar Dutta, Director of the Indian Statistical Institute, expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized the growing importance of advanced computing infrastructure in contemporary research.
“The Indian Statistical Institute has long been at the forefront of advancing statistical sciences and interdisciplinary research in India. In an era driven by data, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing, robust digital infrastructure is essential for academic excellence and innovation. This generous support from the Financial Inclusion Trust will significantly strengthen our computational ecosystem and empower our students, researchers, and faculty to undertake cutting-edge work that addresses both national priorities and global challenges.”
Chandrasekhar Ghosh Emphasizes Holistic Development
Sri Chandrasekhar Ghosh, Founder of Bandhan and Trustee of the Financial Inclusion Trust, underscored the broader vision of inclusive development that extends beyond financial services.
“True inclusion is not limited to providing access to finance; it is about creating opportunities that enable people to lead dignified, healthy, and productive lives. Sustainable development is achieved when education, healthcare, livelihood generation, skill development, and financial empowerment work together to unlock human potential and create lasting social impact.”
He further noted that data and analytics have become indispensable tools in shaping modern societies and economies, influencing sectors ranging from public policy and healthcare to financial services and scientific research.
According to him, the Indian Statistical Institute has been a pioneer in statistical thinking and analytical excellence for generations, long before data science emerged as a global discipline. FIT’s support seeks to ensure that ISI continues nurturing exceptional talent and developing data-driven solutions that contribute to India’s journey towards inclusive, equitable, and sustainable growth.
A Shared Commitment to Knowledge and Innovation
The collaboration between FIT and ISI reflects a shared commitment to strengthening scientific research, expanding access to knowledge, and fostering innovation that serves society. Through this grant, FIT hopes to contribute to ISI’s continued excellence and its growing role in addressing application-driven challenges across statistical, natural, and physical sciences.
The Financial Inclusion Trust has consistently focused on initiatives that generate meaningful social impact through education, healthcare, livelihood promotion, skill development, community welfare, and financial inclusion. Its support for ISI aligns with its broader mission of empowering institutions that contribute to nation-building through knowledge creation and scientific advancement.
IBG NEWS Analysis
At a time when artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, and advanced analytics are transforming the global economy, investments in research infrastructure are becoming increasingly critical. Institutions such as the Indian Statistical Institute play a strategic role in developing the intellectual capital needed for India’s future technological leadership.
The grant from the Financial Inclusion Trust represents more than a philanthropic contribution; it is an investment in India’s knowledge economy. Enhanced computing infrastructure will enable ISI to undertake more sophisticated research, attract global collaborations, and strengthen its position as one of the country’s premier centres for data science, statistics, and computational research.
As India aspires to become a global leader in technology and innovation, partnerships between philanthropic institutions and centres of academic excellence may prove instrumental in building the next generation of scientific and technological capabilities.
— IBG NEWS Education, Science & Technology Desk
