MUMBAI: The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai, a pioneer in social science education since 1936, is making waves with a bold change to its admissions process for the 2025-26 academic year. The institute has decided to eliminate its long-standing interview stage, opting instead to admit students to its postgraduate programs solely based on their Central University Entrance Test (CUET) scores. This shift, set against the backdrop of its sprawling Deonar campus, marks a significant departure from tradition—and it’s sparking both debate and concern.
A Break from Tradition
Key Points:
- TISS scraps interviews for 2025-26 postgraduate admissions.
- Selection now hinges entirely on CUET scores.
- Move aims for transparency and faster admissions.
Founded as the Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work, TISS has built a legacy of fostering interdisciplinary learning and social impact. Historically, its admissions process combined entrance exam scores with interviews to assess candidates holistically. However, starting next academic year, the institute will rely exclusively on CUET marks. A senior TISS official explained, “This decision ensures complete transparency and speeds up admissions. Unlike other social science institutes, our interview stage extended the process by nearly a month, causing us to lose students to faster-moving institutions.”
Stirring Controversy
Key Points:
- Students protest the loss of interviews, citing diversity concerns.
- Critics argue CUET-only admissions favor privileged candidates.
- Opposition grows among student groups on campus.
The move hasn’t been met with universal approval. Students and campus organizations are pushing back, arguing that scrapping interviews threatens TISS’s commitment to inclusivity. “Interviews allowed candidates from diverse and marginalized backgrounds to showcase their potential beyond test scores,” said a joint statement from five student groups, including the Progressive Students Forum (PSF). They warn that relying solely on CUET—a standardized, objective exam—could homogenize the student body, favoring those with access to coaching and resources. Last year’s shift from TISS-NET to CUET already raised similar concerns, with students noting a change in campus demographics.
A Streamlined Future?
Key Points:
- No interview slots in the tentative 2025-26 admission timeline.
- Officials highlight cost-effectiveness and objectivity.
- CUET scores seen as a fair, merit-based metric.
TISS’s tentative postgraduate admission timeline reflects this shift, omitting any period for interviews. The administration defends the change as both cost-effective and equitable. “CUET scores are objective, leaving no room for ambiguity like interviews sometimes did,” the official added. “It’s about ensuring meritorious students get a fair shot, without delays or subjective judgments.” Yet, this promise of efficiency clashes with fears that the institute’s unique character—rooted in its ability to nurture talent from all walks of life—might erode.
Balancing Act
Key Points:
- TISS aims to align with national admission trends via CUET.
- Debate continues over inclusivity versus efficiency.
- Alumni and students watch closely as changes unfold.
As TISS aligns with the national CUET framework, it joins a growing list of institutions streamlining admissions. But the decision raises a deeper question: can a standardized test alone capture the qualities TISS has long valued—critical thinking, social awareness, and resilience? For now, the institute stands at a crossroads, balancing its storied legacy with a modern, pragmatic approach. Whether this shift strengthens or weakens its mission remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the ladder to TISS is changing, and not everyone is ready to climb it.
