TISS confers 1,376 degrees at its 86th convocation; reveals ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision, UG campus, course launches

Tata Institute of Social Sciences held its 86th convocation ceremony for undergraduate and postgraduate students across its four campuses. TISS also presented its annual report for the academic year 2025-26 highlighting its global partnerships, admissions, courses offered and its contribution towards ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’

For its 86th convocation, the institute invited Dr C S Pramesh the director of Tata Memorial Hospital, as chief guest, TISS chancellor D P Singh, officiating registrar Narendra Mishra; other members of the executive and academic council, including students, faculty, staff, and families of our graduating students.

According to the TISS annual report 2025-26, the institute has now entered its 90th year, calling it “Navati”.

While talking to students at the ceremony, TISS chancellor Singh said: "To our graduating students: congratulations. This day is yours, and you have earned every hour of it. And you did not earn it alone. Behind each of you sits a family that went without something so that you could sit here today. To your parents, and to everyone who carried you to this morning, this degree is theirs as much as yours. And to my colleagues on the faculty, thank you. Yours are the quiet hands behind this bright day."

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TISS 86th Convocation

Today, 1376 students and scholars from all four campuses receive their degrees. This includes 35 doctoral scholars and graduates from master’s, bachelor’s, integrated and dual-degree programmes. The first undergraduate batch of Analytics and Sustainability Studies also receives its degrees today.

TISS is also entering into collaboration with IIT Bombay to set up a Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Society under our new Ratan Tata School of Analytics.

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TISS partnerships, Viksit Bharat seminars

TISS Global was launched in February this year and the initiative connects “local knowledge with global scholarship.” TISS expanded partnerships with universities in Nepal, Zambia, the United States, Brazil and the United Kingdom. It has also begun its conversations with institutions in Australia, France, and Germany.

Notably, five study in India programmes brought 83 international participants, and five ITEC courses supported exchange in social welfare, rehabilitation, emergency medicine, and the social sciences.

TISS enrolled 51 full-time international students and supported 28 TISS students on exchanges in eight countries.

The “Viksit Bharat Seminar Series” brought more than 20 events across our four campuses.

The VC also addressed the establishment of the 'Viksit Bharat Vichar Kendra'. The inter-school, multi-funded think tank will be a national platform for evidence-based policy research, interdisciplinary scholarship and public dialogue in support of Viksit Bharat @2047.

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TISS admissions, 1-year master’s course

Aligned with the National Education Policy, TISS developed one-year master’s courses, strengthened existing four-year UG programmes with a base in Indian Knowledge Systems, micro-credentials and executive education.

The new TISS Centre for Undergraduate Programmes will coordinate a flexible 160-credit curriculum across campuses.

The TISS Admissions Office brought outreach, applications, verification, support, data and compliance altogether.

In 2025–2026, the office handled over 17,000 applications for 52 PG and five UG programmes. The office admitted 1,520 students from 33 states and Union Territories (UTs). Of them, 723 were men and 797 were women. Our goal is clear: a wider door, a kinder process, and a better experience for every applicant.

Student scholarships, awards

TISS scholarships supported students from SC, ST, OBC and EWS backgrounds. The institute’s faculty, researchers, students, alumni and Field Action Projects continued to bring honour.

Hardika Bhagat received a BAICE Presidential Bursary. Alumna Shrutika Jha received a Chevening Scholarship. Prayas received the Mahatma Award. SIMHA received an international innovation award. Praveen Kumar became a DAAD Research Ambassador. Sambath UM won a Best Paper Award.

Significantly, TISS was also named among the Best Education Brands 2026.

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TISS enrolment crosses 12,000

As per the annual report, across TISS campuses, 4,527 students were enrolled in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes. Another 740 were enrolled in Nirantar programmes. The School of Skill Education enrolled 8,708 students across 18 sectors.

The Women and Gender Development Cell continued its work in training, policy support and grievance redressal. The Cell inducted 23 Student Gender Champions and held programmes on consent, interpersonal violence, child protection, campus relationships and prevention of sexual harassment.

TISS staff members

Of 189 UGC-sanctioned teaching posts, 133 are filled. Of 252 administrative, technical and service posts, 130 are filled. Significantly, 20 of faculty colleagues were promoted under the CAS. During the year 2025-26, 17 teaching and non-teaching colleagues superannuated or opted for voluntary retirement.