How to Get Accepted at TISS - Courses, Exam Pattern and Selection Criteria
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai was originally known as the Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work and was established in 1936. Check out the detailed TISS Mumbai selection process 2019 here.
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai was originally known as the Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work and was established in 1936. It was the first school in India that started offering programmes and education in the field of social work.
It is known for its social sciences programmes throughout Asia and offers courses in subjects such as human development, economy and public policy and economics. It is one of the premier schools of higher education in India and offers great research and learning opportunities in the field.
TISS was initially supported by the Tata Trust but today garners research funds from various organisations as well as the government of India. The institute has developed and has expanded itself and now has three other campuses apart from the one in Mumbai. The other campuses of TISS are in Tuljapur, Hyderabad and Guwahati.
TISS does not offer MBA programmes but its two MA programmes i.e. Social Science; Human Resources and Labour Relations are considered to be at par with MBA programmes offered in some of the premier B-schools in India. These are also the flagship programmes of the Institute.
Programmes offered by TISS Mumbai
TISS offers M.A. M.Phil, Ph.D. and other short-term programmes in the fields mentioned below.
- Development Studies
- Disaster Management
- Education
- Habitat Studies
- Health Systems
- Human Ecology
- Law, Rights and Constitutional Governance
- Management and Labour Studies
- Media and Cultural Studies
- Social Work
TISS Mumbai Selection Process 2019
TISS has its own selection procedure and entrance exam basis which candidates are shortlisted. Following are the exams that a candidate is required to clear in order to take admission:
| Name of the Programme | Name of the Exam |
| M.A. Programmes | TISS National Entrance Test (TISSNET) |
| M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes | Research Aptitude Test (RAT) |
There are two phases of selection process where the candidate is evaluated on the basis of his performance in TISSNET and personal assessment. Apart from this, the institute may also take into consideration the previous academic record of a candidate. Check out the selection process of TISS below:
| Programmes | Phase 1 | Phase 2 |
| M.A. Programmes | Candidates who have cleared the cutoff of TISSNET will be evaluated on the basis of the highest scorer and will be called for Phase 2. | Candidates who have cleared the Phase 1 will then have to appear for the Pre-Interview Test (PIT) and Personal Interview (PI). The final selection is done on the basis of a candidate’s performance in both the phases. |
| M.Phil. & Ph.D. Programmes | Selection in round one is based on the candidate’s application (i.e. the past academic record and work experience) and score in RAT. | Shortlisted candidates are invited for personal assessment i.e. the Personal Interview Round. |
TISSNET Exam Pattern
TISSNET is similar to other B-School entrance exams where your aptitude and verbal skills are tested. Check the details in the table given below:
| Section | No. of Questions | Time Needed |
| Verbal Ability | 30 | 45 |
| Quantitative Ability | 35 | 45 |
| General Awareness | 35 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 120 |
Since TISS is an institute that offers programmes related to human studies, it believes in taking students from diverse academic and working backgrounds to offer its students a broad perspective and better exposure. It also offers great placement and internship opportunities.