📚 Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) 2026: Complete Guide – Courses, Fees, Admission, Ranking & Placements
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) – one of India's premier institutions for social sciences, established in 1936. Known for its academic excellence, research focus, and commitment to social justice, TISS has consistently ranked among the top universities in India. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about TISS – courses, fees, admission process, rankings, placements, scholarships, infrastructure, and more.
1. Introduction
About the Institute: The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) is a deemed-to-be-university located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was established in 1936 as the Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work and was later renamed TISS. The institute is known for its strong emphasis on social sciences, social work, and research.
- Establishment Year: 1936
- Type: Deemed-to-be-University (Private)
- Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (Headquarters)
- Recognition: UGC approved, NAAC A++ Grade, NIRF Rank #3 (University Category 2025)
- Motto: श्रमं विना न किमपि साध्यम् (Without effort, nothing is achievable)
Why students choose TISS: TISS offers world-class education in social sciences, distinguished faculty, excellent placement opportunities, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a vibrant campus life. It is a preferred destination for students seeking careers in social work, public policy, and social sciences.
2. Institute Highlights
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Institute Name | Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) |
| Established | 1936 |
| Type | Deemed-to-be-University (Private) |
| Approved By | UGC, AICTE, NCTE |
| Accreditation | NAAC A++ Grade |
| NIRF Ranking 2025 | #3 in University Category, #7 Overall |
| NAAC Grade | A++ (Grade) |
| Campus Size | 13+ acres (Mumbai campus) |
| Total Students | 5,000+ |
| Faculty | 400+ |
| Official Website | www.tiss.edu |
| Location | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
3. Why Choose TISS?
- Reputation: One of India's premier institutions for social sciences with global recognition.
- Placements: Top recruiters like NGOs, government organizations, UN agencies, and corporate CSR departments hire from TISS.
- Faculty: Distinguished scholars and practitioners with international experience.
- Research: TISS has a strong research culture with numerous research centres and collaborations.
- Infrastructure: Well-equipped libraries, labs, hostels, and sports facilities.
- Industry Collaborations: MOUs with leading NGOs, government bodies, and international organizations.
- Student Life: Vibrant campus with over 50 cultural, academic, and sports societies.
- Location: Prime location in Mumbai, providing excellent opportunities for internships and placements.
4. Important Dates (Admission 2026)
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| TISS Application Start | October 15, 2025 |
| TISS Application Last Date | December 15, 2025 |
| TISS Entrance Exam (Pre-Exam) | January 10, 2026 |
| TISS Entrance Exam (Main) | January 20, 2026 |
| TISS-PET (PhD) | February 10, 2026 |
| Interview Round | February – March 2026 |
| First Merit List | March 15, 2026 |
| Session Begins | June 1, 2026 |
5. Institute Rankings
| Ranking Body | Rank | Year |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF (University Category) | #3 | 2025 |
| NIRF (Overall) | #7 | 2025 |
| NIRF (Social Work) | #1 | 2025 |
| QS World University Rankings | #551-600 | 2026 |
| QS Social Sciences & Management | #251-300 | 2026 |
| THE World University Rankings | #601-800 | 2026 |
| India Today (Social Work) | #1 | 2025 |
6. Recognition & Accreditation
- UGC: Approved under Section 2(f) and 3 of the UGC Act.
- AICTE: Approval for professional programmes.
- NAAC: A++ Grade
- NCTE: Approval for education programmes.
- AIU: Association of Indian Universities member.
- ASW: Association of Schools of Social Work member.
7. Courses Offered
TISS offers over 100 programmes across 17 schools and 20 centres.
UG Courses
| Course | Duration | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. (Hons.) – Social Work, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, etc. | 3 Years | 10+2 with relevant subjects |
| B.Sc. – Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, etc. | 3 Years | 10+2 with Science |
| B.A. (Hons.) – Liberal Arts | 3 Years | 10+2 |
| B.Com (Hons.) | 3 Years | 10+2 with Commerce/Mathematics |
| B.B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) | 5 Years | 10+2 with 50% |
PG Courses
| Course | Duration | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| M.A. – Social Work, Sociology, Economics, Political Science, etc. | 2 Years | Graduation in relevant discipline |
| M.Sc. – Statistics, Chemistry, Physics, etc. | 2 Years | B.Sc. in relevant subject |
| M.Com | 2 Years | B.Com or B.A. with Commerce |
| MBA (HR, Finance, Marketing, etc.) | 2 Years | Graduation + TISS Entrance Test + PI |
| LL.M. | 2 Years | LL.B. |
| M.A. – Public Policy | 2 Years | Graduation |
| M.A. – Development Studies | 2 Years | Graduation |
| M.A. – Media and Cultural Studies | 2 Years | Graduation |
Diploma & Certificate Courses
- Diploma in Social Work
- Diploma in Digital Marketing
- Certificate courses in various disciplines
PhD Courses
Doctoral programmes available in all major disciplines including Social Work, Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, and Management.
8. Popular Courses at TISS
- M.A. Social Work – One of the most sought-after courses; excellent placement record in NGOs and government organizations.
- MBA (HR, Finance, Marketing, etc.) – One of the top MBA programmes in India with strong placement record.
- M.A. Public Policy – Emerging field; excellent for careers in policy-making and governance.
- M.A. Development Studies – Strong focus on social development and research.
- M.A. Sociology – Rigorous curriculum; preferred by researchers and academics.
- M.A. Economics – Strong foundation for careers in finance, policy, and research.
- B.A. (Hons.) Social Work – Popular UG programme; strong foundation for social work careers.
- M.A. Media and Cultural Studies – Unique programme; excellent for media and cultural careers.
- M.Sc. Statistics – Strong foundation for careers in data science and research.
- PhD Programmes – TISS is known for its strong doctoral research.
9. Admission Process
- Registration: Register on the TISS admission portal.
- Application: Fill the online application form with all required details.
- Entrance Exam: Appear for the TISS Entrance Exam (Pre-exam and Main exam).
- Merit List / Allocation: TISS releases merit lists based on entrance exam scores and academic performance.
- Interview: Shortlisted candidates are called for a personal interview.
- Document Verification: Upload and verify documents at the allotted campus.
- Fee Payment: Pay admission fees within the stipulated deadline.
10. Eligibility Criteria
- UG Courses: 10+2 from a recognised board with minimum 45%–50% (varies by course and category).
- PG Courses: Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline with minimum 50% (General/OBC/EWS) or 45% (SC/ST/PwD).
- PhD: Master's degree with minimum 55% aggregate.
- MBA: Graduation + valid TISS Entrance Test + PI.
- M.A. Social Work: Graduation in any discipline with 50% aggregate.
11. Entrance Exams Accepted
| Exam | Courses | Cutoff (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| TISS Entrance Exam | All PG programmes | As per TISS merit |
| TISS-PET | PhD | As per TISS-PET merit |
| CUET UG | B.A., B.Sc., B.Com, B.B.A.LL.B. | 650+ for top courses |
12. Cutoff Trends
TISS admissions are based on TISS Entrance Exam scores and CUET UG scores.
- M.A. Social Work: TISS Entrance Exam score of 70+ percentile.
- MBA: TISS Entrance Exam score of 75+ percentile.
- M.A. Public Policy: TISS Entrance Exam score of 65+ percentile.
- B.A. Social Work: CUET UG score of 600+ for General category.
13. Fees Structure
Note: TISS fees vary by programme. The following are approximate annual fees.
UG Courses (Annual Fees)
| Course | Fees (approx.) |
|---|---|
| B.A. (Hons.) – Social Work, Economics, etc. | ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 |
| B.Sc. | ₹35,000 – ₹55,000 |
| B.Com (Hons.) | ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 |
| B.B.A.LL.B. | ₹60,000 – ₹80,000 |
PG Courses (Annual Fees)
| Course | Fees (approx.) |
|---|---|
| M.A. – Social Work, Sociology, Economics, etc. | ₹40,000 – ₹60,000 |
| M.Sc. – Statistics, Chemistry, Physics, etc. | ₹45,000 – ₹65,000 |
| M.Com | ₹40,000 – ₹60,000 |
| MBA | ₹2,00,000 – ₹3,00,000 |
| LL.M. | ₹60,000 – ₹80,000 |
| M.A. – Public Policy, Development Studies | ₹50,000 – ₹70,000 |
Hostel Fees
- Room Rent: ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 per year
- Mess Charges: ₹40,000 – ₹60,000 per year
14. Scholarships
- Merit-Based Scholarships: Awarded to students with high academic performance.
- Need-Based Scholarships: TISS provides generous need-based financial aid.
- Government Scholarships: Central Sector Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC.
- Minority Scholarships: For students belonging to minority communities.
- SC/ST/OBC Scholarships: Various schemes through National Scholarship Portal.
- EWS Scholarships: For economically weaker sections.
- Fellowships: TISS offers UGC-JRF and CSIR-JRF fellowships for Ph.D. students.
15. Infrastructure & Facilities
- Library: TISS Library with 3 lakh+ books, digital library, and 24/7 Wi-Fi.
- Hostel: Separate hostels for boys and girls with modern amenities.
- Labs: Well-equipped science and computer laboratories.
- Sports: Cricket ground, basketball courts, football, indoor games, gymnasium.
- Cafeteria: Multiple canteens and eateries across campus.
- Auditorium: Large auditorium with 1,500+ capacity.
- Medical: Health centre with medical facilities.
- WiFi: Fibre-optic network across the entire campus.
- Gym: Modern gym facilities available.
- Transport: University bus service and local train connectivity.
- Smart Classrooms: Upgraded classrooms with modern teaching aids.
- Research Centres: Multiple research centres focusing on social issues.
16. Placements
TISS has an excellent placement record, with top organizations recruiting from the campus every year.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Highest Package (MBA) | ₹25 LPA |
| Highest Package (M.A. Social Work) | ₹15 LPA |
| Average Package (MBA) | ₹12 LPA |
| Average Package (M.A. Social Work) | ₹8 LPA |
| Placement Rate | 85%+ |
17. Top Recruiters
- UNICEF
- UNDP
- WHO
- World Bank
- Deloitte
- EY
- KPMG
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- Various NGOs
- Government Organizations
- Corporate CSR Departments
18. Internship Opportunities
TISS provides ample internship opportunities through its placement cells, research collaborations, and MOUs. Students intern at top NGOs, government bodies, UN agencies, and corporate CSR departments. The highest monthly stipend offered is ₹1.5 lakh.
19. Campus Life
- Events: Annual cultural festival TISS Fest attracts participation from all departments.
- Festivals: TISS is known for its vibrant campus politics and cultural events.
- Student Clubs: Over 50 societies – debating, dramatics, music, dance, photography, entrepreneurship, and more.
- Sports: Inter-college tournaments, NCC, NSS activities.
- Culture: Diverse student community from across India and 30+ countries.
20. Notable Alumni
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam – Former President of India (Honorary)
- Dr. Manmohan Singh – Former Prime Minister of India (Honorary)
- Ratan Tata – Industrialist (Honorary)
- Azim Premji – Businessman, Philanthropist (Honorary)
- Medha Patkar – Social Activist
- Aruna Roy – Social Activist, Magsaysay Awardee
- Nandan Nilekani – Co-founder, Infosys (Honorary)
- Many prominent social workers, activists, and academics.
21. Contact Details
- Address: Tata Institute of Social Sciences, V.N. Purav Marg, Deonar, Mumbai – 400088, Maharashtra, India
- Phone: +91-22-25525000
- Email: info@tiss.edu
- Website: www.tiss.edu
22. Documents Required
- TISS Entrance Exam / CUET scorecard (as applicable)
- Class 10 and 12 mark sheets
- Graduation mark sheets (for PG applicants)
- Transfer Certificate (TC)
- Migration Certificate
- Caste/Category certificate (if applicable)
- EWS certificate (if applicable)
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-size photographs
- Valid ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, etc.)
23. Reservation Policy
- SC: 15%
- ST: 7.5%
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 27%
- EWS: 10%
- PwD: 5% horizontal reservation
24. Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Premier institution for social sciences with global recognition
- Excellent placement opportunities
- Strong research culture
- Diverse course offerings
- Vibrant campus life and student societies
- Prime location in Mumbai
❌ Cons
- High competition for admission
- Limited hostel seats
- Small campus size (13+ acres)
- Some infrastructure needs improvement
25. Is TISS Worth It?
Yes, absolutely. TISS offers an unmatched combination of academic excellence, placement opportunities, research facilities, and campus life. With its NAAC A++ grade and top NIRF rankings, TISS provides excellent return on investment (ROI). Whether you aspire for a career in social work, public policy, management, or academia, TISS gives you the platform and network to succeed.
26. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is TISS UGC approved?
Yes, TISS is approved by UGC under Section 2(f) and 3 of the UGC Act.
Yes, TISS is approved by UGC under Section 2(f) and 3 of the UGC Act.
Q2. What is the NAAC grade of TISS?
TISS has been accredited with an A++ grade by NAAC.
TISS has been accredited with an A++ grade by NAAC.
Q3. What are the admission criteria for M.A. Social Work?
Admission to M.A. Social Work is based on TISS Entrance Exam and interview.
Admission to M.A. Social Work is based on TISS Entrance Exam and interview.
Q4. Which entrance exams are accepted for MBA?
MBA admissions are based on TISS Entrance Exam and interview.
MBA admissions are based on TISS Entrance Exam and interview.
Q5. What is the hostel fee at TISS?
Hostel fee ranges from ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per year, with mess charges additional.
Hostel fee ranges from ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per year, with mess charges additional.
Q6. What is the highest placement package at TISS?
The highest package reached ₹25 LPA for MBA graduates.
The highest package reached ₹25 LPA for MBA graduates.
Q7. Does TISS offer scholarships?
Yes, TISS offers merit-based, need-based, government, minority, SC/ST/OBC, EWS, and sports scholarships.
Yes, TISS offers merit-based, need-based, government, minority, SC/ST/OBC, EWS, and sports scholarships.
Q8. Is there an entrance exam for TISS?
Yes, TISS Entrance Exam for PG programmes and CUET UG for UG programmes.
Yes, TISS Entrance Exam for PG programmes and CUET UG for UG programmes.
Q9. Can international students apply to TISS?
Yes, TISS has students from over 30 countries.
Yes, TISS has students from over 30 countries.
Q10. Is hostel compulsory at TISS?
No, hostel accommodation is optional and subject to availability.
No, hostel accommodation is optional and subject to availability.
Q11. What is the average placement package at TISS?
Average packages range from ₹8 LPA to ₹12 LPA across different disciplines.
Average packages range from ₹8 LPA to ₹12 LPA across different disciplines.
Q12. Are internships provided at TISS?
Yes, TISS placement cells and industry collaborations offer numerous internship opportunities.
Yes, TISS placement cells and industry collaborations offer numerous internship opportunities.
Q13. Does TISS offer distance learning?
No, TISS primarily offers full-time on-campus programmes.
No, TISS primarily offers full-time on-campus programmes.
Q14. Is there a placement guarantee at TISS?
No, but TISS has an excellent placement record with 85%+ placement rate.
No, but TISS has an excellent placement record with 85%+ placement rate.
Q15. What are the most popular courses at TISS?
M.A. Social Work, MBA, M.A. Public Policy, M.A. Development Studies, and M.A. Sociology are among the most popular.
M.A. Social Work, MBA, M.A. Public Policy, M.A. Development Studies, and M.A. Sociology are among the most popular.
Q16. What is the NIRF ranking of TISS?
TISS ranked #3 in University Category, #7 Overall, and #1 in Social Work in NIRF 2025.
TISS ranked #3 in University Category, #7 Overall, and #1 in Social Work in NIRF 2025.
Q17. What is the QS World University Ranking of TISS?
TISS is ranked #551-600 in QS World University Rankings 2026.
TISS is ranked #551-600 in QS World University Rankings 2026.
Q18. What is the campus size of TISS?
TISS Mumbai campus spans over 13+ acres.
TISS Mumbai campus spans over 13+ acres.
Q19. Does TISS have a sports complex?
Yes, TISS has cricket ground, basketball courts, and multipurpose indoor halls.
Yes, TISS has cricket ground, basketball courts, and multipurpose indoor halls.
Q20. How many schools are under TISS?
TISS has 17 schools and 20 centres.
TISS has 17 schools and 20 centres.
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 2026: Courses, Fees, Admission, Ranking & Placements){kind=link}
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