About Tata Institute of Social Sciences 🏛️
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), established in 1936, is a public Deemed-to-be University located in Mumbai. It is a premier institution for postgraduate studies and research in social sciences in Asia. While it has campuses in other cities, the Mumbai campus is the most prestigious. TISS is particularly renowned for its flagship postgraduate programs: the **M.A. in Human Resource Management & Labour Relations (HRM & LR)**, which is considered equivalent to top IIMs for an HR career, and its various programs in **Social Work, Development Studies, and Public Health**. The institute is known for its strong social commitment, research-driven curriculum, and for producing leaders in both the corporate and social sectors.
Key Information at a Glance 📊
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Fees (Approx.) | ₹1.5 Lakhs for MA Social Work (2 years) | ₹7 Lakhs for MA HRM & LR (2 years) |
| Flagship Program Intake | ~68 (MA HRM & LR), Varies for other MA programs |
| Highest Package (2025) | ₹49 LPA (MA HRM & LR) |
| Average Package (2025) | ₹27.2 LPA (MA HRM & LR) |
| Median Package (2025) | ₹25.7 LPA (MA HRM & LR) |
| Scholarship Availability | Yes, extensive need-based financial aid for all students. |
| Top Career Avenues | HR Leadership, Consulting, Social Sector (NGOs), Policy Making |
| Top Recruiters | Aditya Birla Group, HUL, ITC, McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Accenture, Deloitte |
| Approvals | UGC, NAAC 'A++' Grade |
Placements In-Depth: The Return on Investment (ROI) 📈
TISS offers an unparalleled ROI, especially for its MA HRM & LR program, which has a moderate fee structure but placements on par with the top IIMs. The institute is the foremost destination for companies seeking top-tier HR talent. For other social science courses, placements are excellent within the development sector, NGOs, and CSR roles.
| Placement Highlights (MA HRM & LR) | |
|---|---|
| Placement Rate | 100% |
| Total Companies for Recruitment | 40+ (for HRM & LR) |
| Average Package (Top 25%) | ₹37.2 LPA |
| Major Roles Offered | HR Business Partner, HR Consultant, Talent Management, Compensation & Benefits, Employee Relations |
Top Recruiters by Sector (HRM & LR)
- Conglomerates: Aditya Birla Group, Reliance, Tata Group, Mahindra & Mahindra.
- FMCG/FMCD: Hindustan Unilever (HUL), Procter & Gamble (P&G), Nestlé, ITC, Asian Paints.
- Consulting: McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Bain & Company, Deloitte, PwC, EY.
- BFSI & Tech: ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Amazon, Microsoft, Google.
Fee Structure & Scholarships: Funding Your Education 💰
As a public university, TISS offers its programs at a highly subsidized fee. The institute has a strong policy of providing financial aid to ensure no student is left behind.
Fee Structure (Approx. per year)
- MA Social Sciences/Development Studies etc.: ~ ₹75,000
- MA HRM & LR: ~ ₹3,50,000 (Self-Financed Course)
- Hostel & Mess Fees (Optional): ~ ₹80,000 per year (Hostel seats are limited).
Scholarship Opportunities
Extensive financial support is a core principle of TISS:
- Student Aid/Financial Aid: TISS has a robust, need-based financial aid program that provides significant tuition fee waivers and grants to students from economically weaker sections for all courses.
- Government Scholarships: All national scholarship schemes for SC/ST/OBC/Minority/PwD students are applicable.
Internships & Field Work 🏢
Rigorous and mandatory field work is the cornerstone of the TISS pedagogy, providing students with deep, grassroots-level experience and practical skills.
- Concurrent Field Work: Students across all social work and development programs spend two days every week working with NGOs, government agencies, or communities.
- Summer Internship Program (SIP): Students of the MA HRM & LR program undertake a mandatory 2-month summer internship in top companies, which has a very high PPO conversion rate.
- High Stipends (HRM): The average stipend for the HRM internship is typically over ₹2.5 Lakhs for two months.
The Real Campus Experience: Life at TISS 🧑🎓
Life at TISS is an intellectually stimulating and socially conscious experience. The campus is a melting pot of diverse individuals passionate about bringing social change, fostering a culture of intense debate and critical thinking.
Campus Vibe
The campus is known for its liberal, inclusive, and politically aware environment.
- A beautiful, green campus that provides a peaceful escape from the city.
- A strong culture of student activism, social consciousness, and intellectual debate.
- The "dhaba" and "Ansoo Lake" are central to the social and intellectual life on campus.
- A highly diverse and collaborative student body from all over India.
Societies & Fests
The student-run committees and events are the heart of the TISS experience.
- Numerous active academic forums and student committees.
- "Quintessence": The grand annual cultural, literary, and sports festival.
- A strong tradition of student politics and an active students' union.
- Regular public talks, film screenings, and seminars on various social issues.
Admissions Process & Eligibility (MA Programs) 📝
- Check Eligibility: A Bachelor's degree from a recognized university. Final-year students can also apply.
- Appear for CUET-PG: Admission to all M.A. programs is based on the score obtained in the Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate (CUET-PG), conducted by the NTA. TISS does not conduct TISSNET anymore for these courses.
- Apply to TISS: Candidates must apply separately on the official TISS admissions website and select their desired programs.
- Shortlisting & Online Assessment (OA): Candidates are shortlisted based on their CUET-PG scores. Shortlisted candidates are then invited for the Online Assessment, which consists of:
- Extempore: A short, impromptu speech on a given topic (social, political, or abstract).
- Personal Interview (PI): A comprehensive interview with a panel of senior faculty to assess subject knowledge, social awareness, and suitability.
- Final Offer: A composite score is calculated based on CUET-PG score, Extempore, and PI performance. A final offer of admission is made based on the merit list.
