TISS announces major academic overhaul, aims to lead social sciences globally

As part of its 90-year celebrations, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has announced a major academic expansion across all campuses — Mumbai, Hyderabad, Tuljapur, and Guwahati — to strengthen its national and global presence. In line with this initiative, the institute plans to introduce new undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and PhD courses.

During a press conference held today, vice-chancellor Badri Narayan Tiwari said, TISS has set local and global goals and it will be called 'Navati', the Sanskrit and Malayalam word for 90 and also newness. The new initiative will be officially launched on the TISS Foundation Day 2026, on November 20.

TISS Bharat

The institute has launched TISS Bharat, an initiative aimed at improving regional and social representation across the campuses. The vice-chancellor said that the programme will focus on underrepresented regions such as Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and northeastern states, where TISS will send a team of faculty to interact with teachers, students, and communities to increase awareness about the institute.

The TISS Bharat initiative will focus on tribal and marginalised groups aligning with TISS' legacy in social justice-driven education. It also is expanding its skill education network, which is already operational in 67 locations globally, to connect backward communities with employment opportunities.

TISS Global initiative

While India’s global position is expanding, Tiwari noted that there is no strong social science support system". A gap that it aims to fill through TISS Global initiatives.

TISS currently works with 59 international universities, and plans to scale up this network by organizing a large international colloquium first in India first and a second colloquium abroad in collaboration with the international partner.

As part of the initiative, the TISS Tuljapur campus will host the Global Network of Rural Innovators to connect local knowledge to international platforms. The Guwahati campus will anchor cross-border work through social sciences across borders initiative.

The aim is for TISS to emerge as a global anchor for social sciences, the vice-chancellor said.

TISS: New UG courses, academic reforms

Sunil Shantha, dean, academic affairs of School of Management and Labour Studies, said the institute is considering introducing a major in management studies at the UG level and a minor in applied psychology.

TISS Mumbai and Hyderabad have also planned to jointly offer a BA LLB. Shantha added that students in social service programmes, currently limited to a single track, will be able to pursue additional pathways such as public health among others.

TISS PhD Admission 2026: UGC NET not mandatory

Dean of research Anil Sutar said that TISS offers 106 seats for the regular full-time PhD programme, and noted that the intake has gradually increased as more scholars successfully completed their dissertation. Taking this into consideration, the institute will launch a new executive PhD designed for working professionals.

The eligibility criteria for the TISS executive PhD admissions will not be as stringent as traditional routes, Sutar said, adding that the UGC NET will not be mandatory. Instead, candidates will be required to take a local entrance test conducted by TISS. The academic quality will not be compromised, he said.

All new programmes will be subject to approval from the TISS Academic Council.

TISS will request Tata Trusts to extend funding

A total of 45 faculty members and 48 non-teaching staff currently employed under Tata-funded projects need continued support, and the institute has requested the Tata Trusts to extend their funding for at least five more years.

He added that the Tatas have been “very supportive” and are willing to continue backing the institute, including covering the 7th pay commission salaries under these projects.

TISS to introduce new courses

Several new initiatives and courses are in the pipeline for all TISS campuses, as per the official statement.