THE MAHALANOBIS INTERNATIONAL AWARD MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND THE INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL INSTITUTE

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to document the terms and conditions for the institution, management and administration of the Mahalanobis International Award given to an individual for Lifetime Achievements in Statistics in a developing country or region. The nodal authorities are: i) the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of the Republic of India (hereafter referred to as MOS\&PI) and ii) the International Statistical Institute located in The Hague, The Netherlands (hereafter referred to as ISI). This MOU is an update and revision of the earlier MOU dated September 2004, a copy of which is appended as an Annex.

BACKGROUND

1. The ISI is an international statistical society that was founded in 1885, and its Permanent Office is based in the Netherlands. The ISI family includes seven international societies covering different areas of statistical science and more than 5,000 members from over 100 countries around the world. Many of the National Statistical Societies across the globe are institutional members of the ISI. The flagship event of the ISI is its biennial World Statistics Congress.
2. MOS\&PI is the agency for planning integrated development of the statistical system in India. The Ministry is entrusted with the main responsibilities, among others, for maintenance and laying down of norms and standards in the field of statistics, preparation of national accounts, compilation of Index of Industrial Production, conduct and organisation of large-scale sample surveys, analysis and dissemination of statistical information on various sectors of the economy, etc. The Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOS\&PI), Government of India is the nodal agency for coordinating all statistical activities and providing advisory role to other Ministries and Departments and also to State Governments for collection of statistical data and information.
3. India has made extensive contributions to the field of Statistics. A considerable amount of the credit for India’s leadership in Statistics over the last century is due to Professor P.C. Mahalanobis and his incredibly varied contributions. He was the founding Director of the world-famous Indian Statistical Institute. He had held the position of Statistical Advisor to the Government of India and Member, Planning Commission, besides many other distinguished appointments. The formulation of the $D^{2}$-Statistic, derivation of its properties and its application are some of his most profound contributions. He received the Weldon Medal from Oxford University in 1944 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, London, in 1945 for his fundamental contributions to statistics, particularly in the area of large-scale sample surveys. As Chairman of the United Nations Sub-Commission on Statistical Sampling, a position to which he was appointed in 1947, he tirelessly advocated the use of sampling methods to be extended to all parts of the world. As the Chairman of the UN Statistical Commission, he also helped in the spread of robust and extremely useful statistical ideas to other countries. As a pioneer to government planning, one of his meritorious contribution is the setting up of the National Sample Survey (NSS) entrusted with key responsibilities for the design, collection and analysis of sample survey data.
4. To recognise the contributions of Professor Mahalanobis in the field of Statistics, the Indian Government had decided to institute an International Award. The Mahalanobis award recognises an individual for Lifetime Achievements in Statistics in a developing country or region. It is expected that the award will have the potential to attract, inspire and motivate statisticians across the developing world to increase the quantity and improve the quality of their contributions to the cause of promotion and development of statistics and its applications.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

a) Award: The Mahalanobis award will be given biennially at the ISI World Statistics Congress (WSC). The award will constitute of a cash prize ${ }^{1}$, a memento with certificate, roundtrip economy class return airfare, and per diem at UN rates to cover the expenses to participate at the WSC.
b) Funds and their Management:The funding for the award is provided by the MOS\&PI. An amount of US $\$ 62,000$ was transferred by the MOS\&PI to the ISI on 14 August 2001 for creation of the Corpus Fund. The cash prize and expenses will be paid out of the interest earned from this fund and, when necessary, from the principal. The ISI will manage the Fund and interest income and will provide, to the MOS\&PI, an annual audited Income and Expenditure Statement within three months of the closing of the financial year. The amount to be invested and to be kept as liquid funds will be decided with a view to optimizing the earning on the available funds and having required funds for expenditure on the award.
c) Management of the Award: The ISI, in consultation with MOS\&PI, has developed the criteria and the nomination process for the award. The process will be updated over time by both parties as necessary. The ISI will advertise the award widely through appropriate announcements, including publications through its website and other relevant outlets and call for nominations that are sent to all members, as well as to appropriate individuals and institutions in developing countries. MOS\&PI may give additional publicity in India on the basis of material provided by the ISI. The award will be presented at the World Statistics Congress (WSC), and the ISI will advertise the name of the winner and information about the award ceremony before the WSC and during the Congress.
d) ISI Mahalanobis International Award Selection Committee: The winner of the award will be selected by the ISI Mahalanobis International Award Selection Committee (MIASC). The committee will have the following membership structure:

1. Chair
2. Five Members: One person each from the following five regions:
   a) Australia, New Zealand, or North America
   b) Latin America
   c) Asia
   d) Africa
   e) Europe
3. Chair of ISI Awards Committee or Designate – Member ex officio
4. Director General, Central Statistics Office of India or Designate – Member ex officio
5. Director, International Statistical Institute – Member ex officio

The Chair of MCIAS to be designated by ISI EC, with the approval of the Ex Officio members. The terms of the Chair and members will be for two years. Their terms will be reviewed after the first two years, and they may be reappointed to a second two-year term. They can serve a maximum of four years.

The MIASC will be constituted at least 8 months in advance of the upcoming WSC. The members shall discuss the nominations via e-mail and recommend one name for the award to the ISI Executive Committee which shall make the final decision. The name of the winner shall be communicated to the MOS\&PI by the Director of the ISI.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. The ISI and the MOS\&PI recognise that cooperation and mutual and timely exchange of relevant information will assist decision making in their countries.
2. Both sides will periodically exchange programme of activities relating to the Award.
   ${ }^{1}$ The amount of the cash prize will be determined by the MOS\&PI in consultation with the ISI. The original cash prize was US $\$ 5,000$ and it was increased by MOS\&PI to $\$ 7,500$ in 2011 and to $\$ 10,000$ in 2015.

1. Any dispute related to this Award will be sorted out by mutual consultations.
2. In the event of discontinuation of the Award in future, the endowment fund including interest earned minus award and costs paid out will be refunded to the MOS\&PI.
3. This MOU may be amended by mutual consent through an exchange of correspondence between the Secretary of MOS\&PI, Government of India and President of the ISI.

DATE OF EFFECT (Entry into force)

1. This MOU will come into effect on from the date of signature by the two Sides and will remain in force until either side delivers written notification to the other of its intention to terminate the Memorandum in which case it will terminate three months after receipt of such notification.

Signed on the day $21^{\text {st }}$ of July 2017 in two originals each in the Hindi and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of doubt in interpretation, the English text shall prevail. This replaces earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on $24^{\text {th }}$ September 2004.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the duly authorized representatives of the institutions affix their signatures below;

For the Government of The Republic of India
Mr. D.P. Mondal
Additional Director General,
Central Statistics Office,
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India

Marrakesh, Morocco, dated the $21^{\text {st }}$ July 2017

For the International Statistical Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands, Mr. Pedro Silva
President,
International Statistical Institute,
The Hague, The Netherlands

Marrakesh, Morocco, dated the $21^{\text {st }}$ July 2017

सहालनोबिस अंतर्राष्ट्रीय पुरस्कार

सांखियकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय

भारत सरकार

तथा
द इंटरनेशनल स्टैटिस्टिकल इंस्टीट्यूट

के मधेय
समझौता जापन

उद्देश्य

इस समझौता जापन का उद्देश्य किसी विकासशील राष्ट्र अथवा क्षेत्र में किसी व्यक्तित-विशेष को सांखियकी में आजीवन उपलब्धियों के लिए दिए जाने वाले सहालनोबिस अंतर्राष्ट्रीय पुरस्कार की अधिष्ठापना, प्रबंध तथा प्रशासन के लिए शर्तो एवं निर्बंधों को अभिलेखबद्ध करना है । इसके लिए नोडल प्राधिकरण है: i) सांखियकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय, भारत गणतंत्र सरकार (यहां इसके पश्चात इसे एमओएसपीआई कहा गया है) तथा ii) इंटरनेशनल स्टैटिस्टिकल इंस्टीट्यूट, हेग, नीदरलैंइस (यहां इसके पश्चात इसे आईएसआई कहा गया है)। यह समझौता जापन सितंबर, 2004 के पूर्ववर्ती सहमति जापन का अद्यतन तथा संशोधन है, जिसकी प्रतिलिपि परिशिष्ट के रूप में संलग्न है ।

पृष्ठभूमि

1. आईएसआई एक अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सांखियकीय सोसाइटी है जिसकी स्थापना 1885 में की गई थी और इसका स्थायी कार्यालय नीदरलैंइस में स्थित है । आईएसआई परिवार में सात अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सोसाइटियां हैं जो सांखियकी विज्ञान के अलग-अलग क्षेत्रों को कवर करती हैं तथा इसमें विश्व के 100 से अधिक राष्ट्रों के 5,000 से भी अधिक सदस्य हैं । विश्वभर की कई राष्ट्रीय सांख्यिकीय सोसाइटियां, आईएसआई के संस्थागत सदस्य है । आईएसआई का प्रमुख कार्यक्रम इसका द्विवार्षिक विश्व सांखियकी सन्मेलन (कांग्रेस) है ।
2. एमओएसपीआई भारत में सांखियकीय प्रणाली के समन्वित विकास की योजना तैयार करने वाली एजेंसी है। इस मंत्रालय को अन्य के साथ-साथ, सांखियकी के क्षेत्र में मानदंडों तथा नानकों के पालन तथा निर्धारण, राष्ट्रीय लेखों की तैयारी, औद्योगिक उत्पादन सूचकांक के संकलन, व्यापक पैमाने पर प्रतिदर्श सर्वेक्षण करने, अर्थव्यवस्था के विभिन्न क्षेत्रों से संबंधित सांखियकीय सूचना के विश्लेषण तथा प्रसार, इत्यादि का प्रमुख उत्तरदायित्व सौंपा गया है । केंद्रीय सांखियकीय कार्यालय (सीएसओ), सांखियकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार, अन्य मंत्रालयों तथा विभागों एवं राज्य सरकारों को भी सांखियकीय आंकड़ों एवं सूचना संग्रहण हेतु परामर्श देने के लिए नोडल एजेंसी है ।

1. भारत ने सांख्यिकी के क्षेत्र में व्यापक योगदान दिया है । पिछली शताब्दी में, सांख्यिकी में भारत के नेतृत्व के लिए काफी श्रेय प्रोफेसर पी.सी. महालनोबिस और सांख्यिकी क्षेत्र में उनके द्वारा किए गए असूल्य योगदान को जाता है । वह विश्वविख्यात भारतीय सांख्यिकीय संस्थान के संस्थापक निदेशक थे। वे कई अन्य विशेष्ट पटों के अतिरिक्त, भारत सरकार के सांख्यिकी सलाहकार तथा योजना आयोग के सदस्य रहे हैं । उन्होंने डी²-सांख्यिकी के प्रतिपादन, इसके स्वत्वों की व्युत्पत्ति तथा इसके अनुप्रयोग, जैसे कुछ अत्यंत संबीर विषयों का निष्पादन किया है । उन्हें 1944 में ऑक्सफोर्ड यूनिवर्सिटी से वेल्डन मेडल से अलंकृत किया गया है तथा उन्हें सांख्यिकी विशेष रूप से वृहद-पैमाने के प्रतिदर्श सर्वेक्षणों के क्षेत्र में मॉलिक योगदान के लिए 1945 में रॉयल सोसाइटी, लंदन का अध्येता चुना गया था । सांख्यिकी प्रतिदर्श से संबंधित संयुक्त राष्ट्र के उप-आयोग के अध्यक्ष के पद पर 1947 में नियुक्त होने पर, उन्होंने प्रतिदर्श निधियों का प्रयोग विश्व के सैी आगों में अपनाए जाने का अथक प्रयास किया । संयुक्त राष्ट्र सांख्यिकीय आयोग के अध्यक्ष के रूप में, उन्होंने दमदार तथा उपयोगी सांख्यिकीय विचारों का दूसरे देशों में प्रचार-प्रसार करने में भी सहायता प्रदान की । सरकारी नियोजन के अयदूत के रूप में उनका एक सराहनीय योगदान राष्ट्रीय प्रतिदर्श सर्वेक्षण की स्थापना करना है जिसे प्रतिदर्श सर्वेक्षण आंकड़ों के डिजाइन, संयुक्त तथा विश्लेषण का अहम उत्तरदायित्व सौंपा गया है ।
2. सांख्यिकी के क्षेत्र में प्रोफेसर महालनोबिस के योगदान को महत्व प्रदान करने के लिए भारत सरकार ने एक अंतर्राष्ट्रीय पुरस्कार आरंभ करने का निश्चय किया था । महानलोबिस पुरस्कार विकासशील देश/प्रदेश में सांख्यिकी के क्षेत्र में व्यक्ति विशेष की आजीवन उपलब्धि की पहचान करता है । यह आशा की जाती है कि यह पुरस्कार सांख्यिकी की प्रोन्नति तथा विकास एवं कार्यान्वयन हेतु सस्पूर्ण विकासशील विश्व में सांख्यिकीविटों द्वारा उनके योगदान का परिमाण एवं गुणवत्ता बढ़ाने हेतु उन्हें आकर्षित करने, प्रेरणा देने तथा उत्साहवर्धन करने की संभावना रखता है ।

नियम व शर्ते

a) पुरस्कार: महालनोबिस पुरस्कार आईएसआई विश्व सांख्यिकी कांग्रेस (डब्ल्युएससी) में दो वर्ष में एक बार दिया जायेगा । पुरस्कार में नकद पुरस्कार ${ }^{3}$, प्रमाणपत्र सहित स्नृति चिन्ह, ईकोनोमी वर्ग का हवाई जहाज का आने-जाने का किराया, डब्ल्यूएससी की बैठकों में भाग लेने के लिए संयुक्त राष्ट्र की दर से प्रतिदिन का व्यय शामिल है ।

b) लिघियां तथा उनका प्रबंधन: पुरस्कार के लिए राशि सांखियकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय द्वारा 14 अगस्त 2001 को समय निधि के सूजन के लिए 62,000 \$ अमेरिकी डालर की राशि आईएसआई को दी गई थी । नकद पुरस्कार तथा व्यय इस निधि से अर्जित किए गए ब्याज से चुकाए जाएँगे, यदि आवश्यक हुआ तो, मूलधन से चुकाए जाएंगे । आईएसआई ब्याज आय तथा निधि का प्रबंध करेगा तथा सांखियकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय को वित्तीय वर्ष समाप्त होने के तीन महीने के अंदर एक वार्षिक लेखा परीक्षित आय तथा व्यय विवरण उपलब्ध करवाएगा । निवेश की जाने वाली और बधाकर रखी जाने वाली धनराशि संबंधी निर्णय उपलब्ध धन राशियों से आय में बढ़ोतरी करने और पुरस्कार पर व्यय होने वाली अपेक्षित निधियों के मददेनजर लिया जाएगा ।
c) पुरस्कार का प्रबंधन: आईएसआई ने सांखियकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय की सलाह से पुरस्कार के लिए नामांकन प्रक्रिया तथा मानदण्डों को विकसित किया है । दोनों पार्टियों द्वारा प्रक्रिया आवश्यकतानुसार समय पर अद््यतन की जाएगी । आईएसआई उचित घोषणाओं के माप्यम से पुरस्कार का व्यापक रूप से विज्ञापन करेगी, जिसमें स्वयं की वेबसाइट के माप्यम से प्रकाशन तथा अन्य महत्वपूर्ण निर्गम तथा विकसित देशों में प्रासंगिक व्यक्तियों तथा संस्थाओं तथा सभी सदस्यों को नामांकन के लिए भेजे जाने वाली कॉल (बुलावा) शामिल है । सांखियकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय आईएसआई द्वारा उपलब्थ करवाए जाने वाली सामग्री के आधार पर इसका भारत में अतिरिक्त प्रचार कर सकता है । पुरस्कार विश्व सांखियकी कांग्रेस के दौरान दिया जाएगा तथा आईएसआई विजेता का नाम तथा पुरस्कार समारोह के बारे में सूचना इब्ल्यूएससी के समक्ष तथा कांग्रेस के दौरान घोषित करेगी ।
d) आईएसआई महालनोबिस अंतर्राष्ट्रीय पुरस्कार चयन समिति: पुरस्कार का चयन विजेता, आईएसआई महालनोबिस अंतर्राष्ट्रीय पुरस्कार चयन समिति (एमआईएएससी) द्वारा किया जाएगा । समिति की सदस्यता संरचना निम्नलिखित होगी ।

1. अध्यक्ष
2. पांच सदस्य: निम्नलिखित पांच प्रदेशों से प्रत्येक से एक सदस्य
   a) आस्ट्रेलिया, न्यूजीलैंड या उत्सरी अमेरिका
   b) लेटिन अमेरिका
   c) एशिया
   d) अफ्रीका
   e) यूरोप
3. आईएसआई अवार्ड समिति के अध्यक्ष अथवा नामित व्यक्ति – पठेन सदस्य
4. महानिदेशक, भारतीय केंद्रीय सांखियकी कार्यालय या अथवा नामित व्यक्ति – पठेन सदस्य
5. निदेशक, अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सांखियकीय संस्था – पठेन सदस्य

आईएसआई, ईसी द्वारा पठेन सदस्यों के अनुमोदन से एमसीआईएएस का अध्यक्ष नामित किया जाएगा । अध्यक्ष एवं सदस्यों की सेवा अवधि दो साल की होगी । दो वर्ष बाद इनकी सेवा की समीक्षा की जाएगी तथा इन्हें अगले दो वर्षों के लिए पुनःनियुक्त किया जा सकता है । अधिकतम चार वर्षो तक ये अपनी सेवा दे सकते हैं ।

आगामी विश्व सांख्यिकी सग्मेलन के कम से कम 8 माह पहले एमआईएएससी गठित की जाएगी । नामांकन के बारे में सदस्य ई-मेल द्वारा विचार-विमर्श करेंगे तथा आईएसआई की कार्यकारी समिति को पुरस्कार के लिए एक्नान्न की सिफारिश करेंगे, ज्रिनका निर्णय अंतिम होगा । आईएसआई के निदेशक विजेता के नाम की जानकारी मंत्रालय को देंगे।

सामान्य उपबंध

1. आई एस आई तथा सांख्यिकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय का मानना है कि समन्वय तथा संगत सूचनाओं के समय पर पारस्परिक आदान-प्रदान से उन्हें अपने देशों में निर्णय लेने में मदद मिलेगी ।
2. दोनों पक्ष पुरस्कार के संबंध में गतिविधियों से संबंधित कार्यक्रम समय-समय पर आदान-प्रदान करेंगे ।
3. इस पुरस्कार से संबंधित किसी भी विवाद का निपटारा परस्पर विचार-विमर्श के द्वारा किया जाएगा ।
4. भविष्य में पुरस्कार बंद किए जाने की स्थिति में, अक्षय निधि और उस पर अर्जित ब्याज में से पुरस्कार की राशि तथा किए गए काम की राशि घटाकर सांख्यिकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय को वापस कर दी जाएगी ।
5. यह समझौता जापन, सचिव, सांख्यिकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार तथा आईएसआई के अध्यक्ष के मध्य पत्र-व्यवहार के माफ्यम से पारस्परिक सहमति से संशोधित किया जा सकेगा ।

लाभू होने की तारीख (प्रश्नवी बने रहता)

समझौत जापन इस पर हस्ताक्षर किए जाने की तारीख से प्रवृत्त होगा तथा यह तब तक प्रभावी रहेगा, जब तक दोनों में से किसी पक्ष द्वारा इस जापन को समाप्त किए जाने के आशय से लिखित रूप में दूसरे पक्ष को सूचित न कर दिया जाए, और यह ऐसी सूचना की प्राप्ति के बाद से तीन माह में समाप्त हो जाएगा ।

आज दिनांक 21 जुलाई 2017 को हिंदी तथा अंग्रेजी, दोनों के मूल पाठों पर हस्ताक्षर किए गए और ये दोनों पाठ समान रूप से प्रामाणिक माने जाएंगे । व्याख्या में किसी प्रकार का संदेह होने की स्थिति में, अंग्रेजी पाठ मान्य होगा । यह दिनांक 24 सितंबर, 2004 को हस्ताक्षरित समझौता ज्ञापन का स्थान लेता है ।

इसके प्रमाण में, संस्थानों के विधिवत् अधिकृत प्रतिनिधियों द्वारा अपने-अपने हस्ताक्षर नोच्रे किए गए हैं –

श्री डी.पी. मंडलि, अपर महानिदेशक, केंद्रीय सांख्यिकी कार्यालय, सांख्यिकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार

माराकेश मोरक्को, दिनांक 21 जुलाई 2017

Gredlo 448

कृते दि इंटरनेशनल स्टेटिस्टिकल इंस्टीट्यूट, हेग, नीदरलैंड श्री पेड्गी सिल्वा, अध्यक्ष, इंटरनेशनल स्टेटिस्टिकल इंस्टीट्यूट, हेग, नीदरलैंड

माराकेश मोरक्को, दिनांक 21 जुलाई 2017

The Mifustry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOS\&PI), Government of the Republic of India and the Intemational Statistical Institute (ISI), Voorburg, the Netherlands hereafter referred to as “the sides” have reached the following understanding for institution, management and administration of International Award in memory of Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis for development of Statistics and promotion of best statistical practices.

IMPI.EMIENTING AUTHORITIES

1. The nodal authorities are the International Statistical Institute (ISI), Voorburg, the Netherlands and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOS\&PI), Government of India, on behalf of the Republic of India.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOS\&PI), Government of India is the nodal agency for planning integrated development of the statistical system in the country. The Ministry is entrusted with the main responsibilities, among others, of maintenance and laying down of norms and standards in the field of statistics, preparation of national accounts, compilation of Index of Industrial Production, conduct and organisation of large-scale sample surveys, analysis and dissemination of statistical information on various sectors of the economy, etc. The Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOS\&PI), Government of India is the nodal agency for coordinating all statistical activities and providing advisory role to other Ministries and Departments for collection of statistical data and information.
2. India has made a tremendous progress in the field of statistics which has its origin as a statecraft as far back as $3^{\text {rd }}$ Century B.C. with the adoption of procedures for conducting agricultural, economic population Censuses. Professor P.C. Mahalanobis’s contribution to the subject of statistics is incredibly varied. Professor P.C. Mahalanobis had held the position of Statistical Advisor to the Government of India and Member, Planning Commission, beside many other distinguished appointments. The formulation of the $\mathrm{D}^{2}$-Statistics, derivation of its properties and its application are some of his most profound contributions. He received the Weldon Medal from Oxford University in 1944 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, London, in 1945 for his fundamental contributions to statistics, particularly in the area of large-scale sample surveys. As Chairman of the United Nations Sub-Commission on Statistical Sampling, a position to which he was appointed in 1947, he tirelessly advocated the use of sampling methods to be extended to all parts of the world. As the Chairman of the UN Statistical Commission, he also helped in the spread of robust and extremely useful statistical ideas to other countries. As a pioneer to government planning, his
¹

1. Recognising the contributions of Professor P.C. Mahalanobis in the field of Statistics, it has been decided by the Indian Government to institute an International Award in the memory of Prof. Mahalanobis for the life time contribution of selected statistician from the developing countries (as defined by UN) who should also have earned reputation in a developing country. This will have the potential to attract, inspire and motivate statisticians across the developing world to increase the quantity and improve the quality of their contributions to the cause of promotion and development of statistical theory and its applications in real life situations.
2. The objective of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to institute and lay down modalities including procedures for the smooth administration of the Award and promotion of high quality research work in statistics in developing countries and to honour the great Statistician Professor P.C. Mahalanobis for his life time contribution and achievements. The terms and conditions of International Award will be as follows:
   (a) Management of the Award: The International Statistical Institute (ISI), Voorburg, the Netherlands will manage and invest the one time Endowment Fund of 62 Thousand US \$ provided by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOS\&PI), Government of India, New Delhi in a suitable investment in order to earn sufficient interest to meet the requirements of the Award i.e. travel, accomodation, registration, pocket expenses etc. to the recipient of the award. The International Statistical Institute-Mahalanobis Committee on International Award in Statistics (MCIAS) will supervise all aspects of the Award including the investment of the endowment funds. Funds that are not used in the awarding of the biennial prize (i) prize amount plus (ii) economy class return airfare plus (iii) per diem at UN rates) will remain in the fund to counter potential inflation. The sides are to determine the required balance between invested and liquid funds upon the investment capital’s maturity date. The amount to be invested and to be kept as liquid funds would be decided with a view to optimizing the earning on the available funds and having required funds for expenditure on the award.
   (b) Mahalanobis Committee on International Award in Statistics (MCIAS): The Mahalanobis Committee on Statistics (MCS) has been renamed as ‘Mahalanobis Committee on International Award in Statistics (MCIAS)’. The Committee has been reconstituted with following members:
3. Chair (designated by ISI EC, with the approval of the Ex Officio members)
4. Director, ISI, Voorburg, the Netherlands/ – Member ex officio

His Designee
3. Director General, Central Statistical – Member ex officio
Organization (India)
4. Member Region Representatives (from May 1, 2005) :
a) Australia, Now Zealand and North America
– One Member
b) South America
– One Member
c) Asia
– One Member

The member regions and their representatives will be reviewed on a 2 year basis. Each representative member on the ISI Mahalanobis Committee should come from a different continent. The-members serve one term of two years, which can be repeated once more, allowing the members to serve two terms for a total of four years. The Chairman may refuse the second term of any member if they are inactive. The Chairman may also appoint a replacement if necessary.
(c) Jury for Award: The Newly constituted Mahalanobis Committee on International Award in Statistics (MCIAS) shall function as a Jury for the I Mahalanobis International Award. Candidates can nominate themselves for the award, accompanied by a support of two referees. Their names can also be proposed by their institution or National Statistical Office, or National Statistical Society or the Jury can identify candidates. The Selection of the Awardees from the developing countries will be decided by the Jury and the decision of the jury shall be final. The selection process to decide upon the successful nominee is the responsibility of the Chairman and the Mahalanobis Committee. The Chairman may conduct a second round of voting if the competition is very close, such that the Committee decides between the top nominees. Renominations are allowed for individuals who have been nominated for a previous edition of the prize. The Prize winner, however, cannot be nominated again. All members of the Jury should be from ISI members.
(d) Publicity for the Professor Mahalanobis Award: Suitable announcements/publicity programmes will be drawn up by the International Statistical Institute (ISI), Voorburg, the Netherlands for wide publicity of the Award including publications in various Journals as well as through its Members, both institutional and otherwise in the developing countries. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOS\&PI), Government of India may give additional publicity in India on the basis of material provided by International Statistical Institute (ISI), Voorburg, the Netherlands.
(e) Period of the Award: Biennial. The First Award was given in the ISI Session of 2003 held in Berlin in August 2003.
(f) Selection of the Mahalanobis Award: The Mahalanobis Committee on International Award in Statistics (MCIAS) would meet physically or, preferably consult, by E-mail communication, to avoid costs, at least 6 months in advance of the succeeding biennial Session of the International Statistical Institute (ISI) at Voorburg, the Netherlands in order to propose suitable candidate(s) for receiving the Award. The International Statistical Institute (ISI) at Voorburg, the Netherlands would provide necessary details to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation about the applicants including the selected candidate after the – cion process is over.
(5) The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOS\&PI), Government of India will release an amount of 62 Thousand US S to International Statistical Institute (ISI). Voorburg, the Netherlands for creation of Corpus Fund and out of the earned interest, Mahalanobis International Award will be managed biennially. The