News Brief
Lokniti-CSDS Comes Under Government Scanner After Maharashtra Voter 'Data Error', Foreign Funding Suspected
Sanjay Kumar (Image via X)
The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) will form a three-member inquiry committee to review the functioning of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), following concerns over its handling of voter data and questions on funding.
The committee will comprise a former University Grants Commission (UGC) secretary, a former government auditor, and a former Pro Vice-Chancellor of a central university, The Indian Express reported, citing sources.
CSDS Director Awadhendra Sharan said the institute would respond once formally notified.
The move comes after controversy over CSDS’s Sanjay Kumar, co-Director of Lokniti, who admitted to a “data error” in claims about a fall in voter numbers in two Maharashtra constituencies, Ramtek and Deolali, between the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
FIRs filed against Kumar in Nagpur and Nashik were later stayed by the Supreme Court.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had pointed to the error as undermining Congress’s claims of electoral irregularities. Subsequently, the ICSSR, an autonomous body under the Union Education Ministry and a major CSDS funder, issued a show-cause notice threatening to withhold grants.
Allegations included irregular appointments of directors, absence of governing body elections, opaque processes, pending audits, and damage to the Election Commission’s image during electoral roll revisions in Bihar and Maharashtra.
However, ICSSR reportedly found the response unsatisfactory, especially regarding foreign funding.
According to CSDS’s 2023-24 annual report, its total income was Rs 9.9 crore, with ICSSR contributing Rs 4.51 crore, nearly half.
Foreign contributions were modest, amounting to about Rs 12.7 lakh between April and June 2025.
The inquiry committee will now scrutinise the institute’s governance and finances before ICSSR decides on further action.
