Tata Institute of Social Science Faces Student Backlash After Scrapping Interviews for CUET-Only PG Admissions

Mumbai, April 10, 2025 – The Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), one of India’s premier institutes for social sciences, has stirred up controversy with its latest decision to drop interviews for postgraduate (PG) admissions. Starting from the 2025–26 academic year, TISS will rely solely on scores from the Central University Entrance Test (CUET) to admit students, drawing widespread criticism from current students and student bodies.

What Has Changed in the TISS Admission Process?

Until the 2023–24 session, TISS conducted its own entrance exam known as TISS-NET. In 2024–25, the institute moved to CUET-PG, a national-level entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). However, even then, TISS maintained a 75% weightage for CUET scores and 25% for personal interviews.

Now, for the 2025–26 session, the Tata Institute of Social Science has completely removed interviews. Admission will be 100% based on CUET-PG scores, with no additional assessment rounds.

Why Did TISS Take This Step?

According to a senior official quoted by Indian Express, the main reasons behind the change are:

To ensure transparency in the admission process
To save time and resources spent on conducting interviews
To align with other social science institutions, which do not hold interviews

“Due to this additional stage of interviews, our admission would prolong for almost a month longer than others’ and we would lose out on students,” the official said.

The administration also believes that CUET scores offer an objective way to assess merit, eliminating the subjectivity involved in interviews.

Student Reactions: Protests Across TISS Campuses

The decision has not gone down well with students. Many believe that removing interviews will harm the diverse and inclusive nature of TISS campuses.

Joint Statement by Student Associations

Five prominent student bodies came together to issue a joint statement opposing the move:

Adivasi Students’ Forum (ASF)
Ambedkarite Students Association (ASA)
Fraternity
North East Students Forum (NESF)
Progressive Students Forum (PSF)

Their main concerns include:

Disadvantage to students from marginalized and vernacular backgrounds
CUET’s bias towards those who can afford coaching
Exclusion of subjective, thought-based expression

“Removing interviews risks cutting out voices that made our campus inclusive and accessible,” the statement reads.

Why Interviews Mattered at TISS

Interviews at TISS were more than just a formality. They provided an opportunity for students to:

Explain their motivation and interest in the subject
Showcase understanding beyond test scores
Express themselves in a personal, spoken format

For many students from rural areas, lower socio-economic backgrounds, or those not fluent in English, interviews offered a fairer platform compared to a single, standardized test like CUET.

What Happened Last Year?

The transition away from TISS-NET to CUET already caused unrest in 2024. Students then raised similar concerns that CUET favors those with coaching and does not align with the TISS vision of equity and inclusion.

The new 2025 move to eliminate interviews is seen as a step further away from the institute’s roots in progressive, inclusive education.

Fee Hike Adds to the Frustration

Apart from the admissions overhaul, TISS also increased its application fees:

For General candidates: From ₹500 to ₹900
For SC/ST candidates: From ₹250 to ₹500

Students claim the fee hike, alongside the CUET-only format, will further restrict access to students from less privileged backgrounds.

What Makes the Tata Institute of Social Science Unique?

TISS has long been known for:

Its focus on social justice and equality
A diverse student body from all parts of India
Emphasis on interviews and personal interaction during admission
Strong representation from marginalized communities

By relying solely on CUET, students and alumni fear the institute might lose its core values that set it apart from other universities.

What is CUET, and Why the Controversy?

The CUET (Central University Entrance Test) is a standardized entrance test conducted by the NTA for PG and UG admissions in central universities across India. While CUET promotes standardization, critics say:

It favors urban, English-medium students
Students with access to coaching perform better
It ignores non-standard forms of intelligence and communication

What’s Next?

As of now, TISS has released a tentative schedule for PG admissions but left no room for interviews in the timeline. Student protests are expected to intensify if the administration doesn't respond.

Many are calling for at least partial weightage to interviews or an alternative method of personal assessment that reflects TISS's long-standing values.

Final Thoughts

The Tata Institute of Social Science stands at a crucial crossroads. While administrative convenience and national standardization through CUET offer benefits, the removal of interviews may come at the cost of the campus's rich, inclusive culture.

Students hope that the institute reconsiders its decision in light of its unique mission and commitment to social equity.