Indian Council of Social Science Research issues show cause notice to CSDS for ‘maligning ECI’, alleges ‘administrative, financial irregularities’

After the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) issued a show cause notice to the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) for “deliberately scandalising and maligning the reputation and image of Election Commission of India (ECI)“, senior officials at CSDS said that they had received the notice, were “studying it in detail” and had been given a week’s time to reply.

Up to 90% of CSDS staff salaries and 50% of its administrative costs are covered by ICSSR, as part of its Grant-in-Aid scheme, according to Education Ministry sources. Between 2020-21 and the first quarter of 2023-24, CSDS was allocated ₹13.92 crore, the Ministry told the Lok Sabha in 2023. The showcause notice has now asked CSDS to explain “why the Grant-in-Aid, which is discretionary in nature, should not be cancelled and withdrawn”, and CSDS removed from the purview of the ICSSR’s Grant-in-Aid scheme.